Food As Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) every natural substance, animal, vegetable, or mineral, is an herb with some medicinal property. Food is therefore used as medicine, with various properties and functions. 

Watermelon is the coolest food there is, and can actually help lower body temperature when people get over heated. The coolest part is the white section. A lovely occasional summer treat is to chop up watermelon and make juice, by blending it in a blender. Cooled in the refrigerator it is a delightful summer drink, though too much sugar for regular consumption. 

Watermelon, and watermelon juice, are also good remedies for urinary tract infections with burning pain. (This remedy is for discomfort, to be used with, as opposed to an alternative to, treating the infection) For medicinal purposes, juice can be frozen to use at times of the year when watermelon is not available. Watermelon is a food to avoid when the weather is cool or cold.

Another Chinese herb to counter-balance heat is mint. Mint 'ice tea' is a cool and refreshing, caffeine-free, summer drink. My favorite is Numi brand, Morrocan Mint sun tea, as the flavor is more robust than other mint teas. Place 4 tea bags in a large seal-able glass container and let sit in the sun a few hours on a hot day. Refrigerate and enjoy.   

                                                                 Health & Happiness,

                                                                       Nancy Burton, L.Ac.