Summer remedies: Foods that keep you cool!

Smita Mishra When the velvety new leaves shyly appear on willowy branches, the feeble winter sun gradually begins to acquire a bossy demeanor, when all traces of haze and fog disappear giving the azure sky a crystal radiance and heavenly hues seem to descend on vales and fields in shape of lovely flowers and the fragrance of blossoms are carried far and wide by the naughty spring breeze…we all know that change has set in. That winter has bid adieu and summer is knocking at the doors. And this tender and enticing season called spring is nothing but a momentary balm that will soon give way to the cruel and unsparing summer. With a relentless sun overhead and a pernicious weather, summer has the reputation of a season that does more disservice than good. Our ancient texts suggested ‘penance’ in this season. Seems a bit tacky for our times, but I have deep faith in those ancient scribblings. The fact is that after all the goodies that we devour in winter, the Diwali laddoos, Christmas croissants and valentine cookies; we need to give our systems a break when summer is the best time for it. If winter bounds and chains our movement, making us lazy and lethargic, summer makes us active and mobile. And hence it is the best time to burn those extra calories and also to detoxify our systems. Besides, Ayurveda says that summer heat makes our digestive system sluggish and loading it thoughtlessly would mean causing damage to the body machine. Bound by the cliché “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, the chapter on seasonal foods is missing in modern health science. What would the poor apple do that has been plucked ages ago and packed in dark cartons and stored for months to be transported here and there? Would it retain the same valuable vitamins that it had when it was plucked fresh from the tree? Highly unlikely. A humble cucumber can easily outshine the royal apple in its health quotient. Cure is not always the best word, for it comes after long suffering. Prevention scores better. Food can be healing and can do magic when taken at the right time in right quantities. For example pepper and honey can be the winter panacea, but can be severely damaging in summer. So what do we eat now that our body becomes prepared for the dehydrating and scorching summer? Neem: Best known as blood purifier and anti bacterial agent, Neem is Ayurveda’s magic panacea. A few raw young leaves of neem consumed daily in the morning on an empty stomach, at least for a month in summers can keep pimples, acne, boils and other such ailments at bay for the whole year. It also kills intestine worms and protects against chicken pox.Bitter gourd: Bitter gourd juice, famous as a natural cure for diabetes is beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to blood impurity. It is also an effective cure for piles that gets aggravated in summers. It cures early stages of cholera that generally strikes in summer. But not more than two ounces of juice should be consumed daily, as it may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Broccoli: Broccoli’s anti cancer properties are well known. But it is also a healthy food to be consumed in summer as it contains considerable amount of Vitamin C and eases the symptoms of cold. It has stress relieving properties and strengthens and boosts energy levels. For greatest health benefits, it should be eaten raw. Mangoes: Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin. Mango is high in antioxidant and low in carbohydrates. They help in digestion which is a major problem during summer months. Raw mango drink or aam panna, protects against sunstroke. Its high water content is helpful in summer. Grapes: Grapes protect body against dehydration in summer. Its alkaline nature helps decrease the acidity of uric acid, thus protecting kidneys. In a season marked by frequent viral attacks, grape juice is a must as studies have proved that it contains anti viral properties. It particularly guards body against poliovirus and herpes simplex virus. Cucumber: Cucumber, famous for its cooling properties is an ideal food in summer. Fresh cucumber juice reduces heartburn and sooth acidic stomach. Its fresh juice, when applied on skin cures sunburns. Cucumber slices placed over eyes reduce puffiness and burning sensation. High in fiber and rich in water and minerals, cucumber is best for dieters and diabetics. Oranges: The best source of Vitamin C and a rather obscurely known but highly beneficial vitamin- citrus limonoids, oranges are one of the best sources of energy in this hot and enervating season. Citrus limonoids fight cancers such as mouth, skin, lung, breast, and stomach and colon cancers in animals. A glass of orange juice, while moving out in the sun is a great prevention against heat stroke. Watermelon: The best way to naturally hydrate body, watermelon with more than 90% water content is rich in Vitamins A and C and high in antioxidants. The consumption of watermelon also helps heal faster as one of the amino acids found in it speeds up wound healing and aids in the process of cell division. But the white part of this fruit, which we unknowingly throw away, contains most of the nutrients. Though it is edible, we cut it away as it tastes bland. Watermelon sherbet is a cool and refreshing drink in hot summer months and has the ability to fight heat stroke when served with a few drops of mint juice. Jack fruit: Called the treat of summer, this fruit rich in potassium, helps in the lowering of blood pressure. The extract of jackfruit root cures summer diarrhea. Its root also treats a number of skin ailments that trouble people in this season. Jackfruit root has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from asthma. The fruit has been found to have anti-ageing, antioxidant and anti-ulcer properties. Tamarind: A glass of diluted tamarind juice taken daily prevents heat stroke. Rich in carotenes, Vitamin B and C and flavanoids, Tamarind reduces fever and provides protection against colds. It helps body digest food and cures bile disorders. Tamarind is a mild laxative and not just lowers cholesterol but also fights heart disease. Tamarind gargle eases sore throat and when applied to skin it heals inflammation.