3 Yummy Herbal Popsicle Recipes to Help You Cool Down

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Erin Brockmeyer, GoLocalPDX Natural Health Expert

Popsicles aren’t just for kids! Portland is in the midst of another heat wave right in the middle of one hot summer. There are lots of fun ways to cool down for young and old alike: hitting the river, visiting the coast, sitting in air conditioned movie theaters, and lounging in a pool. It’s time to reexamine one more option — popsicles!

Sure, kids love popsicles, but they are not just for the littles to enjoy. You can easily make your own popsicles a little more grown up by adding some legitimately cooling fruits, vegetables and herbs to the mix. Read on to find out some cooling ingredients you can experiment with, followed by 3 of my own favorite summer popsicle recipes. And feel free to add some spirits to these recipes for a little added adult fun. Pretty soon the sprinkler will be calling your name!

Hibiscus is high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, can assist in weight loss, is excellent at cooling you down, and adds a vibrant red color when steeped in water.

Mint is a no-brainer. It is lauded for its cooling properties both internally and topically, can help with headaches, and can be used to aid digestion.

Cucumber is not only cooling, but is also great for hydration, is rich in magnesium, and can purportedly reduce inflammation.

Watermelon is a food that should be loved by all pregnant women in the summer — or anyone who retains water or swells in the heat. Watermelon is high in water content and is also a mild diuretic so it helps flush out excess water in your system.

Lemon balm is so cooling that it is often used to help resolve fevers. It has a mildly diaphoretic (pore opening) action, so it can induce sweating which helps you cool down whether you have a fever or not. It can be brewed as a steep tea, mixed with honey and frozen into popsicles to give kids with fevers. Plus lemon balm grows like a weed in Portland so you can probably find some right outside your door.

Hibiscus flower is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C.

Mint, hibiscus, blackberry popsicles

Ingredients

1/2 cup Mint Leaves

1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers

2 cup Blackberries

Juice of 1 lime

1 1/2 cup water

2 Tbsp Raw Honey

Directions

1. Boil hibiscus flowers in water for 6 minutes (brew a strong tea). Add honey to dissolve. Let the tea cool. Strain flowers and reserve liquid.

2. Next, either using your food processor or blender, puree the fresh blackberries with the mint.

3. Next, add juice of 1 lime and hibiscus tea and blend.

4. If you want, you can strain out any solids in a fine mesh strainer squeezing out all the liquid, but this is not necessary.

5. Taste mixture in case you want to make any last adjustments.

6. Pour mixture into popsicles mold and freeze for at least 4 hours.

Cucumber watermelon popsicles

Ingredients

1/2 English cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks

1 small watermelon (about 1 lb.), peeled and cut into chunks

2 Tbsp agave or coconut nectar

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Directions

1. Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend.

2. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or add a 1 cup of water and puree again until thinner liquid.

3. Freeze for at least 4 hours.

Lemon Balm has excellent cooling properties and grows all around Portland.

Peach lemon balm pops

Ingredients

3-4 medium - large peaches, sliced and pitted

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup fresh lemon balm leaves

2 Tbsp raw honey, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups water

Directions

1. Coarsely chop peaches and place in small saucepan with water and honey and lemon balm. Heat over medium low heat until peaches fall apart and the concoction gains a sauce-like consistency. Let cool.

2. Transfer sauce into food processor. Add lemon juice and vanilla to the food processor. Puree until smooth.

3. Taste mixture and make adjustments based on preference.

4. Divide the mixture among twelve 2-ounce or eight 3-ounce freezer-pop molds. Freeze at least 4 hours.

Erin Brockmeyer, LAc, is owner and acupuncturist at Solstice Natural Health in downtown Portland. She creates custom health plans for patients to help them tackle their most complicated health concerns, including infertility, prenatal care, fibromyalgia, thyroid conditions and chronic and acute pain conditions. Visit her website for more information and to download her free e-book 5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health Today.

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