An Herbalist's Favorite Hydrating Drinks That Are Packed With Electrolytes (Without The Added Sugar)

From improved mood to mental clarity, we know that being hydrated helps us move through life at our best. When we're well hydrated, our bodies are better able to fight infections, keep organs functioning well, and deliver essential nutrients to cells. 

But regardless of how much water we drink, we might not be adequately hydrated if we don't have enough electrolytes. That's because electrolytes help balance the amount of water1 in our bodies and lend a hand in the beneficial processes we attribute to hydration.

Unlike sports drinks, herbal waters provide the electrolytes you need without sugary additives or preservatives. Some examples of electrolytes include sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium.

On the surface, herbal waters are simply a combination of herbs, fruit, and water. But over the course of nearly four decades spent teaching women to bring the herbal healing arts into their everyday lives, I've observed that herbal waters can be an important step toward improving overall health.  

By increasing water's flavor and electrolyte content, herbal waters help us cultivate a day-to-day lifestyle in which we're nurturing our body's innate capacity to heal itself. And if we're open to seeing it, herbal waters also reveal our deep connection to plants and the nourishing earth.

The combinations of ingredients that can be added to water to make these simple yet elegant drinks are endless.

Lemon balm's bright citrus fragrance and pungent flavor make it one of my top picks for herbal drinks.

Peppermint is the best herb I've found to invigorate the senses during an afternoon slump, opening the sinuses and clearing the head. It's high in the electrolytes calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Fennel's flavor is lightly sweet, akin to licorice, and pairs well with the bright flavor of citrus. This is also a fun way to squeeze a bit more enjoyment from your organic oranges. Fennel seed is high in the electrolytes potassium, calcium, and sodium.

Hydration brings out the best in us, and herbal waters are an enticing way to be sure we're getting electrolytes with our daily water intake. While I've highlighted three time-tested combinations here, the brilliance of herbal waters is that you can use any herbs and fruit you have on hand—the result is invariably sophisticated, hydrating, and visually pleasing.