WATER AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN AYURVEDA
Water, being one of the most important aspect of life to survive is known as SARVA SRESHTA ANUPANA in Ayurveda. It is very essential to know the amount of water to be consumed, benefits, contraindications etc. Generally everyone has questions and confusion on
- How much water is required for a normal individual in a day today life?
- Why are we not thirsty?
- What should we drink after eating?
- Is water LIFE or POISON??? Etc…
Ayurveda has already shared the secret of drinking water with merits and demerits 5000 years ago.
According to modern science,
Quantity of liquid per day is :
1.Children – 1.5 litres
2. Adults – 2 litres
These amount is including liquids in food like daal, juice, tea, raitha, rasam etc.
This quantity is not ideal for every individual according to Ayurveda. The first law of drinking water in AYURVEDA is DRINK WATER AS MUCH AS YOUR BODY ASKS .
WHAT SHOULD WE DRINK AFTER FOOD?
This question asked 5000 years back had a perfect answer i.e anything drunk after food is called ANUPANA in AYURVEDA.
Anupana boosts the immunity , increases metabolism, activates physiological processes and gives Mano Indriya Prasadam (active mind and sense organs) and many more. Sarva sreshta anupana is WATER i.e 3-4 gulps of water after food.
Those who eat Chineese , Spicy foods and Alcoholites and in summer season it is advised to drink mud pot water as anupana.
People who take lot of wheat ,curd etc and in winter hot water is best anupana.
People who travel a lot, who speaks a lot i.e takes lecture etc, who include more in sexual activities, who does heavy works(labourers) ,children and old age people milk is good anupana.
HOT WATER AND ITS EEFECT ON BODY
- Kindles digestive fire
- Helps in metabolism
- Very good for throat
- Lite for digestion
- Induces heat in the body
- Cleanses the urinary bladder
BOIL WATER ACCORDING TO YOUR HEALTH ISSUES AND PRAKRUTHY
Boil 1 liter of water and reduce it to 750ml
- Helps in digestion
- Increases appetite
- Helps in reducing joint pain in vata dosha predominantpeople.
Boil 1 liter of water and reduce it to 500ml
- Good for all Tridoshaja Vyadhies
- For post therapy of fever
- For acidity and phlegm in night
- For vatanulomanam(flatulence)
- For rheumatoid arthritis
Boil 1 liter of water and reduce it to 250ml
- Best water for health ,known as AROGYA AMBU
- Helps in Panchakarma therapy (Detox Therapy)
- Best in hypo thyroid’s, obesity, excess sleep, Diabetes Mellitus, all varieties of vomiting and dehydration.
- Best water to be consumed in Rainy season.
Boiled and cooled water helps to reduce acidity, alcoholism, hot flushes, diarrhea, bleeding, giddiness ,thirst etc.
WHO SHOULD NOT DRINK WATER?
According to Nigantu Ratnakar, Ushapaan i.e. drinking water is not mandatory unless our body demands. If water is consumed in more quantity it produces Aama i.e. undigested food particles turning into toxin later. Then produces all kinds of disease like IBS,Piles,Obeisity etc.
Contra indications of drinking more water are
- Kapha-vata disorders
- Post panchakarma
- Accidents(esp. chest injuries)
- Oileation (snehapana)