18/08/2021
From God’s Own Pharmacy : Water
We have commonly heard our body is made of 70% water , what does Ayurveda has to say about it?
Blood – contains 83% water
Lean muscles - are made up of 75% water
Bones – are made up of 22% water
Brain - contains 74% water
Water is required by all the organs in are body to hydrate the cells and tissues that the organs are made up of. Water helps regulate the body temperature.
Ayurveda recommends water at room temperature or hot only.
Ice-cold water is never recommended. The logic is that the ice-cold will put out the digestive fire and cause disturbances in the digestion process itself.
Sit and drink
Just like we sit and eat, it is important to sit while drinking water. The water you drink while standing goes to the stomach with force and wouldn’t quench thirst. It is advised to sit and drink water as it gradually goes to your stomach and helps in replenishing every organ with nutrients.
Take small sips, not full-glass chugs
We often tend to chug down water in large gulps, sometimes choking us. In Ayurveda, it is recommended to drink water in small sips, swallow it and then take a breath before continuing the process. It would also help in reducing the stress on heart and gives the body more time to absorb it in.
Drink warm water
It is always advised to drink warm water or water in room temperature throughout the day. Avoid drinking cold and iced water as it would douse the digestive fire, hindering proper digestion process to create ama. Drinking warm water helps in flushing out the toxins and keep the digestive system functioning and in track.
Sip only a small amount pre and post meals
Drink only a small amount of water along with your meals or after meals. The preferred ratio of food and water in stomach is 50% of food, 25% water and the remaining 25% empty for digestive juices and process. Drinking too much of water while eating will fill your belly leaving insufficient space for digestive actions.
Drink water when thirsty
Thirst is a natural indication given by your body when it requires water for functioning. Therefore, it is always important to drink water whenever required or thirsty else it would lead to dehydration and other problems like headache, tiredness and so on.
Extremely important is NO WHERE AYURVEDA SAYS KICK START YOUR DAY WITH LITRES OF WATER
And this is what I commonly hear from people that we start our day with 1 glass to 2-3 litres of water
As per Ayurveda our body functions per the biological clock of nature . The Day is divided into
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. is the pitta period of the night, 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. is the vata period of the early morning, and 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. is the kapha period of the morning, the cycle then resumes.
6AM to 10 AM IS THE TIME OF KAPHA ( EARTH + WATER); which translates into heaviness like mother earth. Drinking a warm glass of spiced of water according to Dosha or having your medicine is fairly alright but gulping 3-4 litres of water will only add on to your weight .
Time to think before you guzzle down a jug of water early in the morning .
