Lemonade is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. What many people don’t know is that lemonade doesn’t have to contain lemon only and other standard ingredients. For example, you can make super delicious lavender lemonade to re energize and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Lavender lemonade is particularly beneficial for a headache and anxiety. Find out how to make this highly beneficial beverage below.
Health benefits of lavender lemonade
Besides its deliciousness and pretty color, this beverage contains health benefits as well. For example, Susannejad P. and team of researchers of the Mashad University of Medical Sciences in Mashad, Iran conducted a study to inspect effects of lavender on migraine pain. The study included 47 patients diagnosed with a migraine and divided them into two different groups. One group of participants had to inhale lavender essential oil for 15 minutes while the control group used liquid paraffin instead. Participants were asked to record their headache severity. Results of the study, published in the European Neurology, showed that lavender is effective in treating headache pain.
There’s more healthy news that includes lavender. Woelk H. and Schlafke S. of the Surgery for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy from Buseck-Bayern, Germany conducted a study whose primary aim was to inspect whether lavender could help relieving anxiety. Findings from this study were published in the Phytomedicine, and they showed that lavender has no sedative effects thus no potential for drug abuse, and it can be an effective and well-tolerated alternative to medications used to address anxiety. Other benefits of lavender include:
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Induces sleep which is why it’s a one of the most popular alternative treatments for insomnia
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Besides headaches and anxiety, lavender treats depression, emotional stress, and nervous tension
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Pain relief
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Stimulates urine production and relieves urinary disorders
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Improves blood circulation
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Regulates digestion.
Now that you have seen some health benefits of lavender let’s briefly mention lemon as well although you probably know about the amazing health potential of this citrus fruit. Due to abundance of vitamins and minerals, lemon is beneficial for:
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Cardiovascular health – intake of fruits rich in Vitamin C is linked to reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Furthermore, lemon is also great source of fiber which is good for lowering cholesterol levels
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Prevention of kidney stones – lemon’s citric acid can increase urine volume thus prevent formation of kidney stones
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Prevention of anemia – anemia is usually caused by iron-deficiency. Although lemon contains a relatively low amount of iron, it is abundant in Vitamin C and citric acid both of which increase absorption of iron from other foods
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Prevention of cancer – lemon may help reduce the risk of many types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Lemons also boost your immune system which is why it’s the go-to item during cold winter days to ward off flu and cold. Lemon isn’t the only ingredient of this beverage with cardiovascular health benefits. It was already mentioned above that lavender has tremendous potential to relieve a headache and anxiety both of which are symptoms of high blood pressure.
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart diseases and stroke which is why it’s always recommended to eat foods and drink beverages that have the potential to regulate the blood pressure thus improving your cardiovascular health at the same time.
How to make lavender lemonade?
Ingredients:
Raw Honey – 1 cup
Pure water – 5 cups
Culinary lavender (dried) – 1 tbsp
Lemons (peeled, juiced) – 6
Lavender springs (for garnish).
Instructions:
Pour ½ water into the skillet and bring to a boil
Once water starts boiling, remove the skillet from the heat
Add honey and dried lavender and let steep for about 20 minutes
Strain the mixture and pour it into a large container
Add lemon juice along with remaining water and mix thoroughly
Refrigerate and that’s it. Your beverage is ready.
To relieve anxiety and headaches, you can use lavenders in different ways besides lemonade. For instance:
Mix 5 to 6 drops of lavender essential oil to your bath water
Diffuse 10 to 12 drops of lavender into the air to reduce stress
Add a few drops of lavender oil into a small bowl of water. Dip washcloth into the water, drain and place it on your forehead to relieve a headache.
Conclusion
If you suffer from a headache and anxiety, you can relieve your condition with lavender lemonade. This fragrant, delicious, and tasty beverage contains a wide array of health benefits and it makes a perfect refreshment for upcoming hot summer days.