SUMMER SPECIAL......Cooler than Cucumber

Cooler than Cucumber

Pune-based vaidya Ashutosh Nanal tells Pooja Bhula how to beat the heat with other summer coolers

“What’s the problem with cucumber?,” you may wonder. No, it’s not bad for you. And yes, it is indeed cooling. But when consumed in excess, it is sure to cause water retention problems. So while you can eat some in your daily salads, it’s not a great idea to OD on cucumbers. In this season, most of us have the tendency to go for that chilled glass of water, when we’re thirsty. Instead, you should be consuming warm water, especially after meals. Avoid all alcohol or keep consumption to a minimum to prevent adding to your heat woes. But if you must drink, red wines would be preferred over hard liquor. Also avoid preparations with mint and salt. Here are some mixes that will not only soothe you in the summer, but also give you some respite from the damage you may have done to your body by downing too much alcohol. Khajuradi Mantha Made from ripe dates, this delicious drink brings a whole lot of sweetness to your health as well. It curbs symptoms of overheating such as depletion of moisture, acidity and heart burn; it also restores the body’s lost fluids, boosts stamina and gives you sustained energy for longer when the heat makes you feel sluggish. All practitioners agree that consuming alcohol in summers is probably the worst idea, if you’ve already taken that misstep, khajuradi mantha will reverse its ill effects as well. Quick recipe: Soak 100 gm minced dates overnight. Add 900 ml water the next morning blend with cardamom and/or clove powder and a pinch of rock salt. Serves five. Pomegranate and Gooseberry Juice This drink will not only hydrate you, but also manage vata dosha (responsible for all movement in your body and by your body) that may occur due to the heat. This will ensure that when the season changes to monsoon, you won’t fall ill. Quick recipe: Mix pure, fresh, undiluted pomegranate and amla juices in a 4:1 ratio along with sugar candy powder to taste. If you wish, you can add a pinch of rock salt too. Black Raisin Shake It is well known that black raisins are chakshushya and swarya (beneficial for the eyes and vocal chords), but the summer mix boosts the sluggish digestive system and clears toxins with a mild laxative action. It will also help alleviate the effects of alcohol abuse and relieve you from a hangover. The pulp of plain black grapes and black raisins can also relieve your skin of the burning sensation and rashes caused by exposure to the sun. Quick recipe: Soak 100gm black raisins with 6-7 dry figs overnight and blend with 1/2 litre milk. Add sugar to taste. Alternatively, if you want to do away with milk, simply blend the fruits into pulp with a hint of rock salt and a pinch of black pepper, adding just enough water so that your drink is neither too runny nor too thick. Consume in the afternoon. To drink the second version all through the day, dilute it with more water. Serves four.

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