In such extreme heat, many people try to cool down by turning on air conditioning or drinking iced soft drinks. But did you know the most sustainable and healthy way to cool off is by balancing your body from within?
According to traditional Thai and Chinese medicine, the foods we consume have hot or cold properties. On hot, sweltering days, choosing herbs and foods with cooling properties is like turning on air conditioning for your blood and internal organs. This helps reduce accumulated heat and refreshes the body immediately without relying on sugary treats.
Let's start with well-known cooling herbs familiar to Thai people, such as " gotu kola" This dark green leaf herb is not only good for healing bruises but also has notable properties for clearing heat, lowering body temperature, and helping balance blood pressure. Drinking its cold juice refreshes and reduces internal heat immediately.
Next is "yanang leaves" known as the queen of cooling herbs. Juice extracted from yanang leaves is very high in chlorophyll, which helps reduce fever, clear heat toxins, and effectively lower blood heat.
Also included is "chrysanthemum" a fragrant flower that, when brewed into tea, helps quench thirst, clear liver heat toxins, and effectively relieve mouth ulcers.It helps with "mouth ulcers"very effectively.
For meals, choosing ingredients with cooling properties turns your dish into an excellent heat-relieving meal. " Cucurbit family vegetables and winter melon" are stars in this category, such as green winter melon, which mainly consists of water. When made into a clear soup, it helps promote urination and detoxify heat inside the body excellently.
"Cucumber" is a side vegetable that refreshes and reduces stomach heat, along with " bitter melon" which, despite its bitterness, contains medicinal properties that purify the blood, reduce heat, and stimulate liver function, allowing the body to expel excess heat faster.
Finally, for cooling fruits that instantly refresh, the number one representative is "watermelon" a juicy fruit rich in vitamins and minerals that quenches thirst, relieves heat, and dilates blood vessels. Improved circulation helps lower body temperature accordingly. Or
"coconut water" which acts as a natural electrolyte. Drinking it replenishes fluids lost through sweat, lowers internal temperature, and instantly revitalizes the body. Also included are " dragon fruit" and "rose apple" which are high in fiber and water content, helping relieve heat and increase cellular hydration.
Consuming these cooling foods and herbs not only quickly lowers blood temperature and relieves heat but also promotes overall health, prevents heatstroke, and naturally reduces irritability caused by weather conditions. This summer, try replacing sugary drinks or shaved ice with natural cooling ingredients for your body. It will surely leave you feeling refreshed, comfortable, and healthier in the long term.