Each and every meat, fruit, vegetable, and herb have their own unique energetic temperature and flavor profile. What does this mean? A food itself may not be hot or cold to the touch (and that may change depending on preparation and storage method), but it does have a warming, cooling, or neutral effect on the body when consumed.
Some foods, such as cucumber and watermelon, have a very obvious temperature profile. It's evident the second you put them in your mouth that they are soothing and very cooling in nature.
The energetic temperatures of many other types of foods are not as obvious and might surprise you. Peaches and cherries, while refreshing and cool to the touch, are actually warm in nature.
I know that cherries and peaches don't make most people break out into a sweat upon eating them, but when compared to cucumber and watermelon, they are much heartier and create more of a warming sensation within.
In Chinese medicine, there are different types of pathologies and imbalances that describe symptoms. Any hot, inflamed, swollen, red, burning, feverish, rapid type of condition falls under the diagnosis of Heat in Chinese medicine. There is plenty of excess heat to go around in the summertime, of course, and using foods and herbs that combat and eliminate excess heat is recommended.
As mentioned above, watermelon and cucumber are cooling in nature. Mint is also a cooling herb and is a perfect complement to both watermelon and cucumber. Infused waters are a great way to maintain your water intake and add an extra dose of heat eliminating refreshment to your beverage.
Adding watermelon to your water may actually hydrate more effectively because it contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium which are much needed, especially after a workout or on an extremely hot day.
Here is a great recipe for watermelon mint infused water. There are many varieties to try. What have you tried and which are your favorite infused recipes?
Classic Watermelon and Mint:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/watermelon-mint-water.html
Variation w/ lemon: http://everydayroots.com/detox-drink-for-cleansing
TIP: Don't go too heavy on the ice. You want to cool the body from excess heat and hydrate the system, but adding too much cold can lead to sluggish digestion and other ailments. The mint and watermelon are cooling enough! ENJOY!
Some foods, such as cucumber and watermelon, have a very obvious temperature profile. It's evident the second you put them in your mouth that they are soothing and very cooling in nature.
The energetic temperatures of many other types of foods are not as obvious and might surprise you. Peaches and cherries, while refreshing and cool to the touch, are actually warm in nature.
I know that cherries and peaches don't make most people break out into a sweat upon eating them, but when compared to cucumber and watermelon, they are much heartier and create more of a warming sensation within.
In Chinese medicine, there are different types of pathologies and imbalances that describe symptoms. Any hot, inflamed, swollen, red, burning, feverish, rapid type of condition falls under the diagnosis of Heat in Chinese medicine. There is plenty of excess heat to go around in the summertime, of course, and using foods and herbs that combat and eliminate excess heat is recommended.
As mentioned above, watermelon and cucumber are cooling in nature. Mint is also a cooling herb and is a perfect complement to both watermelon and cucumber. Infused waters are a great way to maintain your water intake and add an extra dose of heat eliminating refreshment to your beverage.
Adding watermelon to your water may actually hydrate more effectively because it contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium which are much needed, especially after a workout or on an extremely hot day.
Here is a great recipe for watermelon mint infused water. There are many varieties to try. What have you tried and which are your favorite infused recipes?
Classic Watermelon and Mint:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/watermelon-mint-water.html
Variation w/ lemon: http://everydayroots.com/detox-drink-for-cleansing
TIP: Don't go too heavy on the ice. You want to cool the body from excess heat and hydrate the system, but adding too much cold can lead to sluggish digestion and other ailments. The mint and watermelon are cooling enough! ENJOY!
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