My Herbs 1

The body is a reliable machine, capable
of working on its own. Our
body consists mostly of fluid and attracts
other fluids like a magnet,
whether it be water from the air or the
water we use to wash ourselves. Humid
air (close to forests, lakes and seas) does
not make us sweat a lot, which results
in less pressure on our bodies and fatigue.
In the case of a dry atmosphere,
the situation is exactly opposite.
FIRST AND FOREMOST IS
PREVENTION
It is absolutely necessary to drink
enough fluids during hot days. The
most effective and easily available
source is water. Take caution though;
water must be clean and free of any undesirable
metals. Filtered, frozen, and
subsequently thawed water from a well
without any turbidites presents the best
possible option. Adding lemon or mint
to such water stimulates the metabolism
and cools the body down.
During extremely hot days, when
sweating is common, it is desirable to
drink mineral water as well. It supplies
the body with electrolytes, which can
be lost in sweat. What we should avoid
completely are soft drinks, milk, and
drinks containing fat. Even the popular
iced coffee with milk or ice cream is inappropriate.
These drinks are very
stressful for the kidneys, and it is therefore
advisable to avoid them during hot
days. The only exception is coconut
milk, because it is light and does not
stress the body.
When it comes to keeping ourselves
hydrated, light green and herbal tea is
recommended. In summer, try fresh
teas, for they are optimal for refilling
the body with missing minerals without
stressing the kidneys too much. In
case you prefer black tea, drink it sweet
and warm, which is the same way inhabitants
of equatorial regions do.
MORE WATER, LESS FOOD
During hot days, the rule is to drink
twice as much as is eaten. The portions
should be always small and the food
should be light. When opting for meat,
eat just a small piece with a lot of vegetables
containing a good deal of water
(optimally green vegetables), because
water supports the body instead of
stressing it out. The only type of meat
that does not stress the body is fish
(ideally sea fish as a source of useful
and valuable minerals with no adverse
effects on metabolism).
Fruit snacks definitely deserve attention
as well, due to their abundance of
water and carbohydrates. Apples,
plums, peaches, pears, tangerines, melons,
oranges, avocados, nashi (Asian
pears), and lychees are great options.
But be aware of two important rules:
fruit should be consumed in the morning
and around noon (the last piece
45 minutes before lunch), and never
with a salty meal.
Tip:
LEMON AND MINT
Both of them improve thermoregulation,
accelerate metabolism, and
subsequently help cool down the
body. They can be added to both
food and drinks.
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