DadiKaKehna

The best way to deal with summer heat is to turn green in more ways than one. Be it your tea cup or your salad or even your salts — green is what you need to choose as the primary colour for health benefits, says Roshani Devi

Being herbivorous, especially when the sun is tanking you out with heat, fatigue and dehydration, is the way to go if you need to take care of your overall health. Here are some herbs that you need to add to your platter for a variety of ailments and even for general wellbeing.

Mint: Flavourful, adaptable, cooling and refreshing, mint is easy to find, good to afford and tickler of your tastebuds. Besides going a long way to keep your temperature down, this herb also tackles indigestion (remember Pudinhara?), has weight reducing properties and is good to go for salad, teas or also as flavour for your H2O intake. Crush fresh leaves from your garden pot and put it in your water bottle for the day.

BASIL: And you thought only the Italians know how to make the use of this strong, spicy and yet popular green leaf that is easy to grow in your backyard. The versatile herb adds that special something to cold tomato soup, salads and, of course, pasta as pesto. Use it for antioxidants, anti-bacterial and heart health boosting properties.

Thyme: This subtly flavourful herb is manna for a host of summer recipes, grilled, roasted or sautéed. Flavour your carrots with this dainty leaf and see the difference. Health quotient: Tackles diarrhea, arthritis, cough, bronchitis, flatulence and is also good to go as a diuretic.