A Cancer Season Mocktail for Comfort and Care
As the Sun sails into the realm of Cancer on June 22nd, we find ourselves in a season of emotional depth and intuitive guidance. To celebrate this time of watery wisdom, we've curated a Cancer-inspired mocktail. We’ll weave in some astro herbalism and dive into the doctrine of signatures, highlighting the plants and foods linked with this nurturing zodiac sign.
Astro Herbalism, Cancer, and the Doctrine of Signatures
Astro herbalism ties plants to astrological signs and planets using insights from the Doctrine of Signatures, which proposes that a plant’s appearance or 'signature' often reflects its therapeutic use1.
Cancer is a water sign ruled by the moon, signifying emotions, intuition, and care. Foods that fit within the Cancerian sphere are those high in water content or with a protective shell, reflecting the crab's symbolic nature2. Think juicy fruits like melons and hard-shelled nuts.
Cancer's Herbal Allies
Our Cancer season mocktail stars three herbs associated with this zodiac sign: Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), and Aloe (Aloe vera). Chamomile is a calming herb known to support digestive health3. Lemon Balm can help relieve stress and promote sleep[^4^], while Aloe Vera is famous for its skin-soothing properties[^5^].
Cancer Season Vibes
As a water sign ruled by the Moon, Cancer season is a time of deep emotions and introspection. It's an invitation to explore our feelings, strengthen our intuition, and nurture ourselves and others. It's the perfect time for a soothing, heartwarming mocktail!
cancer season mocktail recipe
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dried Chamomile flowers
1 teaspoon dried Lemon Balm
1/4 cup fresh Aloe Vera gel
Juice of 1 watermelon slice
1 tablespoon honey or sweetener of choice
1 cup hot water
1 cup cold sparkling water
A slice of watermelon for garnish
Directions:
Steep the chamomile and lemon balm in hot water for about 10 minutes.
Strain the mixture, add the watermelon juice, aloe vera gel, and sweetener, and stir until dissolved.
Allow the tea to cool, then add the cold sparkling water.
Garnish with a watermelon slice and enjoy your Cancer season mocktail!
Remember,, while these herbs have tradition and science backing their use, they aren't cure-alls. Please consult your healthcare professional before introducing new herbs into your diet.
Bussmann, R. W., & Sharon, D. (2006). Traditional medicinal plant use in Northern Peru: tracking two thousand years of healing culture. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2, 47. Link
Connelly, D. (2018). Medical Astrology. The Journal of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Link
Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895-901. Link
Kennedy, D. O., Little, W., & Scholey, A. B. (2004). Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm). Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(4), 607-613. Link
Surjushe, A., Vasani, R., & Saple, D. G. (2008). Aloe vera: a short review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 53(4), 163–166. Link