Red Raspberry Leaf, Hibiscus, Rose Mint Tonic
And off we went! Meandering through national parks, winding down sea upon sea of mountainous terrain, crossing miles of bare, dry crackling desert, crossing the Kansas state line to meet Nature’s anything but graceful torrential downpour and buckling lightning.
And all the while, we were most certainly held in Nature’s Grace. To be united with the still of the night inside of our tent, to be greeted by eternal dawns and returned to timeless dusks, all to meticulous nights checking and double checking the camp for any inviting smells or morsels the bears may choose to find.
Sunburns, delightful breezes among hot dry nights, reuniting with high school besties, and most certainly, staying hydrated, nourished in body and spirit, and as grounded as possible for road warriors.
Among the most welcomed treat to our palette’s and internal cauldron of reception was this tea. In Ayurveda “the science of life” and often called “The Mother of all Healing”, originating in India over 5,000 years ago, summer is the season of Pitta.
During this season, our bodies can become overheated more easily, which can also include overheated emotions: irritability, anger, frustration, impatience. Pitta in balance leads to knowledge and understanding, while out of balance leads to anger, jealousy, and hatred. Especially for those of a Pitta dosha, it’s important to eat cooling foods, and drink cooling beverages during summer. Alcohol and spicy foods exacerbate heat in the body, which fiery types may love, yet need to steer clear of. They also have a lower tolerance for sunlight, heat, and harder physical work.
To support any tendency to overheat, I concocted a wonderfully cooling, deeply replenishing tea tonic for our road trip. This romantic, refreshing blend offers floral notes and a sweet energy boost without the depleting caffeine.
Red raspberry leaf is a powerful nutritive, adrenal and kidney tonic. It is also a potent uterine tonic for women. Safe for women and men, it is also an especially great tonic for pregnant women. With its high content of vitamins and minerals like, vitamin A, B, C and E, potassium, phosphorus and calcium, it can boost overall well-being and immunity. It’s astringent properties are great for digestive inflammation and skin irritation. It helps to lower blood sugar and is also a great remedy for sore throats. It is very high in magnesium, which has a calming effect and may lower blood pressure.
Rose offers a toast to the capacity of love within the most supple depths of the morning dew and midnight moon. It soothes the heart and emotions. It has a highly cooling effect on the body, clearing heat and toxins. It is also a great liver tonic that helps with constipation as well as re-establish friendly flora in the gut. It soothes sore throats and runny noses. It is very replenishing and can help for women with infertility & menstruation problems. It’s medicinal benefits also flush waste from the kidneys and help boost circulation. It is mood enhancing and love promoting!
Hibiscus is also cooling and hydrating. It promotes heart health, lowers blood pressure, expels heat from the body, and maintains upper respiratory health. It naturally has quercetin, which is a great anti-inflammatory. It is a safe, effective way to help maintain cholesterol levels.
We drank this down every day, and will continue to enjoy this blend all summer in the moist heat on the East Coast.
Recipe:
• 8 cups water
• 4 teaspoons dried rose
• 2 TBS dried hibiscus flowers
• 4 teaspoons dried red raspberry leaf
• stevia, for sweetening (optional) I think it’s sweet enough without!
•12-15 fresh organic mint leaves
Procedure:
Steep rose, flowers and leaves in boiling water for a few minutes.
Reduce heat to low-medium and continue to steep for about 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, strain and place in the fridge to cool even more. Please don’t strain into a plastic container or else the plastic will leech into your medicinal creation. Best to use a glass mason jar.
Pour tea over additional ice.
How do you stay cool in the summer heat?
Warmly for your cooling enjoyment,
Whitney
