Cool off with this yoga-enhancing herbal lemonade during the hot 🔥 fire element season.
This one is a favorite! Always refreshing and delightful for any occasion. Easy to make (which is vital to all recipes!) and so delicious. Be sure to have some sort of citrus juicer on hand to make juicing those lemons a cinch. Personally, I like the simple and traditional citrus press.
“It was then that I noticed the hibiscus tree. Its magenta flowers were in bloom, brilliant and full with fertile golden centers." –Alex Brunkhorst, The Gilded Life of Matilda Duplaine
Hibiscus is super summer-friendly. Ayurveda says to use this plant for reducing heat and treating a fever (The Yoga of Herbs, Frawley & Lad, p 124) . How does hibiscus boost your yoga practice? By strengthening your japa, or mantra practice. And by enhancing your attention in meditation. There's also a tradition in Hinduism where it's believed that offering hibiscus to Lord Ganesha can remove obstacles and bring good fortune. Truly a powerful and beautiful flower!
Summer Hibiscus Lemonade
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Start by making your dry hibiscus tea herbal blend. I LOVE the Spring Cleansing blend which you can find here. You can also use plain hibiscus flowers. 🌺
1 ½ cups just boiled water
1 tablespoon Pink Spring Cleansing Herbal Tea Blend
⅓ cup raw, local honey (or use another favorite sweetener)
¾ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
5-6 cups distilled water (or the cleanest water you can get)
Section 2: Make your herbal lemonade.
Making your tea the day before spreads out the time to make this delightful drink. Now you're ready to assemble your lemonade! 🍋
Combine the herbal tea blend with the just boiled water. Cover (don't let those volatile oils escape!) and allow to infuse for 10-15 minutes.
Strain the steeped tea into another container (I like a mason jar).
Dissolve the honey into the tea while it's still hot.
Cover and refrigerate until the tea is nice and cold and you're ready to use it.
Juice the lemons. How many you'll need just depends on the lemons.
Combine the cold tea, juiced lemons and distilled water. Mix well and test your flavor. You can always add more water, or more lemon juice, or more sweetener to create the perfect balance you're looking for.
Garnish with frozen raspberries and sliced lemons.
Let's talk lemons.
They're full of vitamin C that your body actually absorbs. This makes lemons a beauty food, because you need vitamin C to produce collagen. The peels of lemons are edible and good for skin health - in small amounts though. The kind of beauty we're talking here is that deep, inner radiant health kind.
Yes, lemons are sour but actually help to alkalize the body because they are chock-full of trace mineral salts. This makes them ultra-hydrating on those intensely hot days. Two words: Electrolyte Magic!
Whether you're all about fun in the sun or sweating it out in the hot yoga room (or both - let's be real), lemons can support your hydration needs.
Love & health,
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