Adding, Fruits, Vinegars & Herbs For Hydration

Summer is in full swing, and the heatwaves are on their way. When temperatures hit the high 90’s and that means it is especially important to drink water. Hydration is the best way to stay healthy, for your skin and for entire body.

The Benefits of Herbal Water & Tea Blends

In addition to hydration, eating a more nutritious plant based diet helps. Increasing our intake of antioxidants, herbs and vitamins allows our body to heal faster; this is so important in the summer when we’re combating heat, sunburn, potential allergies, salt, wind and exhaustion.

By adding herbs, fruits, vinegars, algae and even veggies to your water, staying hydrated is more fun, not to mention you’re getting the added nutrient bonus for just staying hydrated!

Herbal Waters & Tea Blends for Healthy Skin

Perfect skin is ideally plump, moisturized, slightly acidic (pH 5.5) and free of blemishes or infections. So, why is hydration so important for skin care specifically?

How Does Hydration Promote Healthy Skin?

  • Regulates oil production. Typically dry and oily skin, and many topical problems are reactions to unbalanced and unsupported skin. Moisturizing and hydration are both key to providing the best environment for skin to thrive.

  • Reduces the appearance of wrinkles by enhancing elasticity. Hydrated skin is healthy and plump!

  • Increases detoxification - our skin detoxes itself through the lymphatic system. Lymph is a clear fluid under the skin that flushes waste from the body, hydration is key to supporting lymph movement. Supporting the lymphatic health assures less build up of toxins that cause swelling, dullness and oil.

  • Regulates skins pH level - naturally skin has a pH of around 5.5, making it slightly acidic. If your skin is too alkaline (high pH) it compromised the acid mantle, it’s protective barrier. This unbalanced environment leaves us more susceptible to infection, acne, eczema and itchiness. Hydration and eating antioxidant rich foods are key.

Recipes for Summer Waters & Tea Blends

You can really get creative here, and mix anything edible (and safe), like herbs, flowers, spices, tea blends, fruits, veggies, vinegars and more.. A good “sun tea” is perfect this time of year! Just add your ingredients to a pitcher of water. and let it sit in a sunny spot on the counter for a couple of hours.

For any of these recipes, you can add the ingredients directly to the water, or you can use a tea bag or reusable muslin cotton bag.

  • Spirulina & Lemon Water

    Spirulina is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. It’s an incredible way to get protein and vitamins to nourish your skin and body. Add a vitamin c rich lemon to jazz it up a bit since spirulina is nearly tasteless.

    Just add these straight to the water and enjoy.

  • Hibiscus, Holy Basil & Ashwagandha Water

    Hibiscus is toning for the skin directly, but internally it makes an amazing tea for it’s sweet taste, high antioxidant and anti-bacterial content. Tulsi and Ashwagandha are adaptogenic herbs that allow our body to manage stress by regulating hormonal response, a solid addition to any summer water.

  • Herbal Vinegar Water with Chamomile, Licorice & Calendula

    Vinegar water aids with digestion and food absorption. To boost the nutrient content, you can infuse vinegar with any edible herb/plant you want! Chamomile, licorice root and calendula are good to support digestion and your stomach lining.

    Add the infused vinegar to water directly.

  • Mint & Basil Water

    Mint and basil are both refreshing, light and add a bit of flavor to your water. This blend will cool your body down internally during these heat waves!

  • Chlorophyll, Aloe & Lime Water

    Chlorophyll is a known “body deodorizer” because it supports detoxification and regulates the pH of the body. Aloe Vera is soothing and cooling, and adding lime give it a dose of vitamin C.

  • Green Tea

    One of the best teas to make all summer long. The antioxidant content will help protect your skin from sun and environmental damage.

    You can chill some and spray it directly on your skin after a day in the sun, too!

    *article originally appeared in Taste For Life magazine

Peggy Van Cleef