5 infused waters for a happy summer

Yay, it’s summer!! It’s my favourite season and I’m overjoyed! I know however that many of you dread the heat and I thought that it’d be a good idea to talk about hydration and how to cool down.

You liked the article about the Ayurvedic teas and I hope that you’ll enjoy this Ayurvedic perspective on infused waters too. They’re delicious, they boost hydration and they will help balance Pitta. You get 3 benefits in 1 glass for less than 5 minutes of preparation!

DOSHA PITTA

It’s Pitta season and Pitta constitutions are bound to feel an imbalance in the heat of summer. That doesn’t mean that other constitutions can’t suffer from heat waves (fingers crossed we don’t get any) though! Besides, the 3 doshas are ever-changing living energies in each and every one of us. You may be a Vata or Kapha or any other constitution and still feel a Pitta excess at one point or another.

Symptoms are hard to identify and are of course a lot more complex than a mere list. This article means only to give you a few tips about how to hydrate (dehydration is a Vata symptom by the way) and to cool down when you feel too uncomfortable because of the warm weather. 

So. Generally speaking, everything related to fire evokes Pitta:

• burning sensations
• inflammation
• acne, rosacea
• irritations
• uncomfortable heat sensation
• excessive irritability

I think we all agree that infused waters will not cure acne or rosacea or inflammation! You should require the advice of a practitioner if you suffer from any of these conditions. However, they can help you cool down and restore balance to find comfort. More than anything else, they will help you drink more water – if you’re anything like me, you don’t find still water very appealing!

Please go read this article if you want to learn a bit more about Ayurveda and the doshas.

THE 6 TASTES

Do you need a quick recap? 

Food and herbs are classified into 6 tastes which are related to the 3 doshas and the 5 elements. They also have a cold or warm energy. You can find a graphics here – you’ll hopefully get a clear idea about how it works. 

We’ll favour the sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and of course the cooling energy for Pitta.

FRUITS, HERBS, SPICES AND FLOWERS FOR PITTA

Many fruits may be bitter or sweet. Make sure you choose ripe fruits.

• apples
• berries
• coconut
• mango
• melon
• pomegranate
• apricots
• dates
• figs

• cardamom
• coriander
• fennel
• mint
• cinnamon
• vanilla

• chamomile
• rose
• hibiscus

AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR HYDRATION

You need to increase your intake of water of course but that’s not all that there is to it! You already know that Ayurveda is big on routines and recommendations for every aspect of life and hydration isn’t an exception. To make it short and fast:

• Don’t drink ice cold water – it kills the fire of digestion. Cool water is acceptable, especially during summer but the ideal temperature is room temperature.
• Add electrolytes if you need to boost hydration – they promote a better absorption of water. « Electrolytes » may sound weird and complicated but you use one of them every day in your cooking. Sea salt is the best known of electrolytes. Coconut water too.
• Sip your water or your body won’t have the time to absorb it and you’ll spend your day in the toilets!
• Don’t drink right after a meal.

« Water before a meal is nectar. It replenishes fluids and encourages juicy digestive organs. Small sips during a meal is honey. It helps turn the food into a sauce. Water after a meal is poison because it dilutes stomach acids. »

Dr. Vasant Lad

And here are my 5 recipes! You can adjust quantities according to your preferences. They’re super easy, super fast and you can prepare your infused water in 5 minutes or less in the evening and enjoy a delicious drink the day after!

Possibilities are endless so let your imagination go wild! You’d rather have recipes? I curated some delicious ones on a Pinterest board just in case.

Before I start, may I remind my dear Pittas (who are so focused and thorough) that they need to consume all 6 tastes?!

1. MELON & BASIL

• mineral water
• 3 to 4 thin melon slices
• 6 basilic leaves

1. Fill your chosen recipient with water.
2. Add the melon and the basil leaves.
3. Put into the fridge and let infuse for 12 hours.
4. Let the water warm up a bit at room temperature.
5. Sip and enjoy.

2. BERRIES & FRESH MINT

• coconut water
• mineral water
• 1 small handful of berries
• 6 fresh mint leaves

1. Fill 1/3 of your recipient with coconut water and add mineral water.
2. Add the berries and the mint leaves.
3. Put into the fridge and let infuse for 12 hours.
4. Let the water warm up a bit at room temperature.
5. Sip and enjoy.

3. PEACH, CUCUMBER & MINT

• 1 sweet peach
• 3 cucumber slices
• 6 mint leaves
• coconut water
• mineral water

1. Fill 1/3 of your recipient with coconut water and add mineral water.
2. Peel the peach, cut it in slices and add to the water.
3. Add the mint leaves and the cucumber.
4. Put into the fridge and let infuse for 12 hours.
5. Let the water warm up a bit at room temperature.
6. Sip and enjoy.

4. CHAMOMILE & GINGER

• 1/2 handful of chamomile flowers
• fresh ginger to your taste

1. Infuse the chamomile flowers in boiled water for 5 minutes, then pass them through a sieve and let the infusion cool down.
2. Add the ginger.
3. Put into the fridge and let infuse for 12 hours.
4. Let the water warm up a bit at room temperature.
5. Sip and enjoy.

5. hibiscus & mint

• 3 dried hibiscus flowers
• 6 fresh mint leaves

1. Infuse the hibiscus flowers in boiled water for 5 minutes, then pass them through a sieve and let the infusion cool down.
2. Add the mint leaves.
3. Put into the fridge and let infuse for 12 hours.
4. Let the water warm up a bit at room temperature.
5. Sip and enjoy.

Warning: hibiscus infusion is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

DO YOU FEEL LAZY?

I can’t blame you. Sometimes, even a 5 minutes preparation is too long!

Yogi Tea (I promise I’m not sponsored but I should) has refreshing drinks for you with a rose infusion and cold teas. You should be able to find them easily in your usual organic store.

Finally, click on the board’s title to get to my curated recipes if you’re in need of a bit of inspiration.