Let’s not forget that Food is Medicine. What we eat affects us not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally as well. Common herbs and foods are used in traditional medicine to heal the body. Think honey for a sore throat. Ginger for nausea. Chicken soup for a cold. You get the idea.
In Chinese Medicine, Watermelon is considered the quintessential summer food to keep you cool.
As watermelon is “cold” in nature, has the energetic properties of clearing heat in the body, relieves thirst and calms irritability.
From a western perspective, watermelon is high in electrolytes, carotenoids and anti-oxidants such as Vitamin A and C.
Mint is cool in nature and helps the body to clear heat from the body especially in the head and the eyes.
Basil is a slightly warming herb that is used here to balance out the cold properties of the mint, cucumber, and watermelon. It helps to promote qi and blood circulation while supporting the kidneys, stomach and lungs.
Recipe
For the salad:
1/2 Watermelon (approx. 6 cups) cubed
1 Cucumber cubed
15 fresh Mint leaves chopped
15 fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup Feta crumbled
For the dressing:
2 tablespoons Honey
2 tablespoons Lime juice
2 tablespoons good quality Olive Oil
pinch of salt
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together and let sit for a few minutes to let marinate before serving!
Amanda Demers is a Registered Acupuncturist and a Registered Herbalist at Acupoint Wellness Centre in Vancouver, BC. She is known as a practitioner that has a warm heart and calming presence. Her practice focuses in pain management, stress/anxiety, digestion, skin health, and women’s health. She offers treatments in acupuncture, herbal medicine consultations, cosmetic acupuncture, buccal facials, and microneedling.
