Hydrating Lemonade

Summer is the time of heat.

In Ayurveda, we say that the body looses water and blood (rakta) because we perspire a lot in summer. Our perspiration would be salty and sweet. In order to not feel depleted, we need to replenish our bodies, with something that is a bit sweet, a bit salty and maybe a bit bitter, as bitterness pacifies Pitta dosha.

This beverage will replenish you, especially in the summer or after a sweaty workout.

I love this recipe, as water alone goes right through the kidneys. Only if it contains minerals, it will also hydrate the cells, because it then can penetrate the cell membrane.

For this lemonade we will use rock salt, which contains most minerals of all salts, as well as electrolytes. Therefore, this is like an Ayurvedic version of “Gatorade” and will fully hydrate you.

Maple syrup is a cooling sweetener, try to stick to it in this recipe and the summertime in general.

Honey would be too heating, but a great option if you want to make this in colder months with slightly warmer water. Please don’t heat honey over 40 degrees Celsius, as it turns toxic.

Limes are also more cooling and slightly bitter, while lemons actually have a heating effect in our bodies. However, you could use lemons in the fall and winter time for this.

Since it is summer now, you could also add a bit of mint, rose petals or cucumber to this beverage - those ingredients are all cooling.

We will not use ice cold water, as it dampens digestive fire (jatharagni) entirely. Rather use warm or room temperature water.

This recipe serves one person and takes less than 5 minutes to make.

INGREDIENTS

-       1 cup warm water (or room temperature)

-       1/2 lime juiced and a slice of lime, or the half itself

-       1/2 -1 tsp maple syrup

-       pinch of rock salt (mineral salt)

-       optional: mint leaves, organic rose petals, cucumber slices

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the juice of half a lime into warm water. If you don’t like drinking warm water, simply use water at room temperature.

Then add maple syrup (how much depends on your taste), as well as a pinch of rock salt and stir until well combined.

Please also add a slice of lime or half of the lime itself into the water, so you add the bitterness of the zest, which pacifies our internal heat.

Optionally, mint leaves, rose petals or cucumber slices make a perfect cooling garnish.

Enjoy this refreshing lemonade!

With Love,

Lisa