This cucumber lemon water, along with these other recipes and tips, will help you stay cool during these long and hot summer days. Stay cool and enjoy!
Now that the hot summer months are upon us, it is important to stay cool. There are so many natural ways to beat the heat this summer. Below are five simple and unique ways to help you stay cool, naturally.
Cucumber and Lemon Balm Infused Water
I drink this water almost every day! It is so refreshing with a bright flavor of lemon balm and subtle cucumber taste. A large pitcher of this is enough for several glasses, but I always end up making it daily for the best taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 handful fresh lemon balm leaves
- 1/4 cucumber, sliced
- 32-64 ounces water
- large pitcher
Instructions:Â
- Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher
- Place in refrigerator
- Infuse 12-18 hours (I generally do overnight)
- Enjoy throughout the day.
Peppermint Hydrosol
I use peppermint hydrosol mostly in the summertime. From sunburn to bug bites, peppermint hydrosol is a natural method of relief.
Hydrosols are the aromatic plant water leftover from essential oil steam distillation. When the steam condenses, it leaves behind a hydrosol.
On a hot summer day, peppermint hydrosol is wonderfully cooling. I store my hydrosols in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life, but it also makes them very refreshing when used cold. Simply spray the hydrosol on your neck, forehead, or arms for cooling relief.
Take along a small spray bottle filled with peppermint hydrosol in your beach cooler! You will be glad you did.
Homemade Lemon Lavender Popsicles
Along with the cucumber lemon water, this is one of my new favorite summer treats. I’ve been trying to watch what I eat, so ice cream is not an option for me this summer.
I decided these homemade lemon lavender popsicles are an awesome low-calorie summer treat. My lavender is in full bloom right now, so it is easy for me to go and grab a few sprigs and whip up this recipe.
Ingredients:
- popsicle molds
- 1 lemon (juiced or cut into slices)
- 3 cups of water
- 1 tbsp agave (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 tsp lavender buds
Instructions:
- Bring water to a boil, add sweetener and stir well.
- Remove water from heat and add in lavender buds and lemon slices (or juice).
- After 15 minutes strain lavender buds from liquid.
- Allow the liquid to cool to room temperature.
- Pour into popsicle molds or ice cube trays.
- Freeze and enjoy!
Fresh Aloe and Rose Face Mask
After the kids go to bed, while sipping my cucumber lemon water, I make this easy Aloe Vera face mask. It is soothing and simple -two ingredients! I pair it with a paper face mask for easy cleanup.
This easy mask helps me remove dirt and grime while soothing any summer irritations. Rose hydrosol adds a lovely relaxing aroma while Aloe Vera moisturizes skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 aloe vera leaf (inner fillet/gel removed) OR 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
- 1 tsp rose hydrosol
- 1 paper face mask
Instructions:
- Combine aloe vera gel and rose hydrosol in a small bowl.
- Stir well to combine fully.
- Soak face mask in the mixture for several minutes.
- Place on face gently, avoiding eyes and leave on for 15-30 minutes.
- Peel mask off and gently pat face dry
Cooling Eucalyptus Body Powder
Recently I made this Eucalyptus and Cedarwood Body Powder for my husband. He absolutely loves it and has been raving how it keeps him cool while he mows the grass.
I decided to tweak the recipe by removing the Cedarwood essential oil and replacing it with 8 drops of cooling Eucalyptus globulus essential oil instead. It worked perfectly and is even more cooling than before!
Just a little caution though: Eucalyptus can be irritating, so make sure to fully dilute the essential oil in the jojoba oil (as written in the original recipe). Also, avoid using on sensitive areas of the body.
Have you ever tried cooling off with cucumber lemon water or some of these other ideas?
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Ms. Linda says
I love my cucumber lemon water. I also add a few sprigs of fresh parsley as well. For a variation I’ll use honeydew and lime with the cucumber, in place of the lemon. I rarely use sweetener of any kind.
Hafiz Muhammed Ilyas says
Pls send me receipe of hand wash
Nancy says
And Katie, is the cucumber lemon water related to the Persian drink called: sekanjamin or sekanjabin or sekanjubin or … (I’ve seen all kinds of spelling for it)? It’s usually made with mint as well/instead of lemon balm (I’ve seen recipes with ginger instead; really, any herb would probably do?), and is very tasty. 🙂
The basic syrup seems to be sugar, vinegar, and water, with whatever else folks want; I’ve tried it made with cucumber before, strained out. It can be reconstituted with enough water later for drinking, and the syrup itself can last for quite awhile, apparently.
Katie Vance says
Nancy, I’ve actually never heard of sekanjabin/sekanjubin, but that sounds very interesting! I’ll have to give it a go!
Shelley says
Do you eat the cucumber once you’ve drank the pitcher full or toss it? Do you make multiple pitchers with the same lemon and cucumber slices or just the one?
Thanks!
Katie Vance says
Shelley,
I normally just compost the cucumber once the pitcher is done, but you certainly can eat it too! I use fresh lemon and cucumber for the next pitcher.