For many years, I have been fascinated by the medicinal benefits of everyday foods. One of the healthiest spring and summer foods is strawberries! This little heart-shaped jewel packs a nutritional punch and helps heal and nourish the body in many surprising ways.
Here are some of the benefits of eating strawberries regularly:
- They are high in vitamin C, which is critical for the immune system, collagen production, and keeping your connective tissue strong and healthy
- Strawberries are high in folic acid, making this an excellent food during pregnancy
- Because they contain a lot of vitamin C, strawberries are great for helping to keep your gums healthy
- The natural pigment that makes strawberries red is a powerful antioxidant which helps to protect the body from serious diseases like cancer
- In herbalist lingo, strawberries are classified as a “refrigerant”; this means that they help keep the body cool, a huge perk on hot summer days
- Strawberries nourish the skin from the inside out, but you can also use crushed strawberries as a natural cleanser for oily skin
- Nature made strawberries in the shape of a heart, so it can’t be a coincidence that they are one of the most beneficial foods for the heart and blood pressure
This springtime strawberry cooler recipe not only provides all the benefits of strawberries, but it also contains green tea, one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. It’s easy to prepare, it makes a great substitute for soda, and the whole family will love it.
Read more about the amazing benefits of green tea here
Recipe makes one quart
You will need:
Two tablespoons of Strawberry Kiss tea (you can substitute a plain green tea like Bancha or Dragonwell, but the steeping time will be much shorter)
A cup of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced in half
A sprig of fresh basil washed
4 cups of hot water
To prepare, brew the Strawberry Kiss tea in the hot water for 8-10 minutes. (If you’re using plain green tea, reduce the steeping time to 2 minutes.)
Strain, and chill the tea in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
In a large pitcher, place the strawberries and muddle them (which means crush them with a wooden spoon). Muddling the berries releases the yummy sweet juices.
Next, take the fresh sprig of basil leaves and lay it in the open palm of your hand. With the other hand, “spank” the basil a few times. This helps to release the natural flavor and aroma. Place the basil in the pitcher with the strawberries. Pour in the chilled tea and stir it all together. Serve over ice and enjoy. For a special treat, you can serve the tea in sugar-rimmed tall tea glasses. Place some sugar on a dish. Rub a cut strawberry along the rim of the glass, then dip the glass in the sugar. Voila!
Try it and let us know what you think!
For more strawberry fun, check out this recipe for a raw rose and strawberry sundae!
