Jan 1, 2023

Detox Water

Refreshing and hydrating detox water for after the holidays or any post-celebration.

With a mix of lemon, cucumber, mint and basil, this is a refreshing way to put essential nutrients back into our bodies after times of less than healthy eating and drinking. This usually happens after Thanksgiving, the Holidays, New Year's eve, or that all-inclusive resort vacation.

Water is, of course, the best way to keep the body hydrated. Without enough water people can become moody, constipated, develop kidney stones, become overheated, and lose the ability to think clearly. Though we get water through various sources throughout the day, including other foods, there is nothing like a tall glass of room temperature water a few times a day to really hydrate.

As for the additional four ingredients, I chose them based on their health benefits:

Lemon - Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants to protect cells. It helps the body absorb iron, synthesize collagen, and stimulate hormone production. It helps to relieve dry mouth, dry skin, insomnia, and fatigue.

Cucumber - Another excellent source of antioxidants to protect against cell damage. Also, an excellent source of potassium, it soothes the skin, and helps the body form proteins for healthy bones and tissues.

Mint - A long-standing remedy anytime digestive problems strike. It helps those suffering from colitis and IBS, and delivers important nutrients depleted through overindulging in an unhealthy diet.

Basil - The powerhouse of antioxidants, it helps to properly rebalance the body's pH levels and has serious benefits for the digestive and nervous systems. It improves skin conditions, gets blood sugars back in order, and has major anti-inflammatory properties. It will treat headaches and cold and flu symptoms, detoxify the liver and blood, reduce triglycerides, lower cholesterol, and help fight infections from allergies, UTIs, respiratory, and abdomen.

Drinking this mixture a couple of times a day will have your body back on track and recovering in no time.

Ingredients

(Makes 8 servings)

2 litres (1/2 gallon) pure spring water, room temperature
3 fresh lemons, washed and sliced
1 English cucumber, washed and sliced
1 handful fresh mint leaves, muddled
1 handful fresh basil leaves, muddled

Directions

Pour room temperature spring water into a large pitcher and set aside.

Roll lemons between your hand and a hard surface to loosen up the juice inside then slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place in the water and stir.

Slice a clean cucumber into two and trim off the ends. With one half, slice into rounds 1/4-inch thick. With the other half, use a mandolin or box grater with a slicing blade to create long, thin ribbons. Place into the water and stir.

Using a mortar and pestle if available, or in a shallow bowl, place the mint and basil leaves. Using the back of a spoon, or the pestle, muddle the leaves until they are well bruised. Transfer to the water and stir.

Cover the pitcher and let the water sit for an hour before stirring again and enjoying. This should provide 8 glasses of water, or two to three days worth. If keeping this longer than two days, cover and refrigerate. Best if consumed at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: