It is a true “plant air conditioner” validated by medicine.
In the middle of a heat wave in France, we all tend to make the same mistake: reaching for iced drinks. However, this thermal shock forces the body to overheat to compensate for the cold. It is therefore counterproductive. The best way to cool down easily is to rely on certain plants which are real “plant air conditioners”. In other words, they are capable of giving us an instant boost of fresh air, without any effort for the body.
One of them has 3 anti-heat actions according to Dr. Michael Greger, doctor and nutritionist. One, it directly targets our cellular “cold sensors” (TRPM8 receptors) to help the body maintain its thermal balance. Two, it calms inflammation and gastric acidity to allow the stomach to digest meals gently. Like rosemary, which turns out to be a formidable aromatic herb for purifying the liver, these plants support our digestive organs which quickly tire in the heatwave. Three, it relaxes superficial blood vessels to allow heat to escape naturally. “Its ingestion thus makes it possible to imitate the effects of exposure to cold.“, summarizes the doctor on his NutritionFacts site. A study published in the scientific journal Nature confirms this “ice effect”: the researchers demonstrate that this herb activates exactly the same neuronal pathways as real cold, fooling the nervous system in a flash.
The refreshing aromatic herb is mint, especially peppermint. It contains menthol, a volatile compound that instantly tricks the brain into sending a polar cool signal as soon as it touches the mouth. In the heat of the day, the quick tip consists of chewing a fresh mint leaf directly for a few seconds: the immediate release of essential oils under the tooth triggers an instant “ice cube” effect in all the respiratory tract.
To prolong this effect throughout the day, you can also infuse a handful of crushed leaves in room temperature water with three slices of cucumber. Not only does this synergy offer an ultra-thirst-quenching drink, but it also allows the active ingredients of the plant to be diffused continuously in your body for lasting thermal regulation.
Other tips allow you to lower your body temperature in just a few minutes without air conditioning. First, eat fresh and light, not forgetting fiber and protein, even if you lack appetite. If you’re too hot, don’t wet your face first. Instead, run your wrists, backs of your knees, ankles, or neck under cold water for a minute. These are areas where the arteries are flush with the skin. By cooling the blood circulating there, you instantly cool the rest of your body through thermal transfer. This is the quickest way to stop heat stroke.
