Hour 65 Ayurveda – Food Staples I

Water

Introduction:

• In Ayurveda, every substance (dravya) is valued for its therapeutic properties, and nothing is considered useless.
• The universe and our bodies mirror each other, with changes in nature reflecting within us. This principle highlights the importance of water, which is considered one of the Panchamahabhutas (five great elements).
• Proper water intake is essential for maintaining health and balance in the body.

Water in Ayurveda:

• Ancient sages emphasized not only the quantity of water but also the timing, method, and source of water intake.
• They considered factors such as seasonal changes, individual conditions, and the state of the doshas to determine the ideal intake.

Key Ayurvedic Guidance on Water Consumption:

1. Drink Water Only When Thirsty:
   • Ayurveda suggests that we should drink water only when we feel thirsty and avoid excessive water intake, which can dilute digestive fire (Agni).
2. Conditions Requiring Minimum Water Intake:
   • People with low digestive strength, abdominal tumors, anemia, edema, or diarrhea should avoid excess water intake. Too much water can suppress Agni and worsen these conditions.
3. Seasonal Variations:
   • Except during autumn and summer, healthy individuals are advised to drink water according to their natural thirst. This aligns with the body’s needs and prevents the weakening of digestive power.

Effects of Cold and Hot Water:

1. Cold Water:
   • Cold water (at room temperature, not refrigerated) can relieve conditions like intoxication, exhaustion, dizziness, burning sensations, bleeding, and pitta imbalances.
   • Water stored in a mud pot is beneficial for its natural cooling properties.
2. Hot Water:
   • Hot water stimulates hunger, aids digestion, soothes the throat, and helps with conditions like hiccups, flatulence, vata and kapha imbalances, fever, cold, cough, and chronic respiratory issues.
   • Hot water is also ideal for purification therapies.

Temperature Guidelines for Water:

• Lukewarm water is recommended for healthy individuals.
• Boiled and cooled water suits people with pitta prakriti.
• Hot water at night is not recommended as it may disturb sleep, except for individuals with kapha dominance, respiratory issues, or obesity.

Important Ayurvedic Considerations:

• Avoid eating when thirsty and drinking water when hungry.
• Drinking water when one should be eating may lead to abdominal tumors, while eating when thirsty may lead to anal fistula.
• In case of indigestion, drink water in small sips and avoid large quantities at once. Warm water is preferred.

Enhancing Water’s Benefits:

1. Water Stored in Mud Pots:
   • Storing water in a mud pot helps naturally cool it and is considered better than refrigerated water, which may cause potential health issues.
2. Infusing Water for Digestion:
   • Add cumin seed powder (two pinches) to five liters of water for enhanced digestibility.
3. Medicinal Water Infusion:
   • Adding medicinal roots like vetiver or khus grass to water for a few hours enhances its healing properties, purifying the blood and cleansing the kidneys and bladder.
   • Always change the water daily if herbs are added, as water stored beyond 12 hours can develop microbes, leading to infections.

Types of Medicinal Water Preparations:

1. Fresh Juice or Extract:
   • Crush fresh parts of a plant (leaves, stems, or roots) to extract juice.
   • Example: Basil (Tulsi) juice helps relieve cough and cold.
2. Cold Infusion:
   • Mix one part herb with six parts water and leave overnight. Filter and consume the next morning.
   • Example: Coriander seeds in water (beneficial for pitta-related issues like burning sensations and excessive thirst).
3. Hot Infusion:
   • Mix one part herb with four parts hot water, let it sit for 3-4 hours, then filter.
   • Example: Ginger, pepper, mint leaves, cumin seeds, and cinnamon in hot water help with indigestion and bloating.
4. Herbal Decoction (Kashaya):
   • Mix one part herb with sixteen parts water, boil it on low flame until it reduces to one-fourth, and then filter.
   • Example: Triphala decoction supports eye health, skin care, weight management, and wound healing.
5. Herbal Drink:
   • A weaker decoction for regular consumption, where one part herb is mixed with sixty-four parts water, boiled, and reduced to 12 parts, then filtered.
   • Example: Shadanga Paneeya, a drink made from six herbs, provides relief from fever, and toxin accumulation, and improves digestive fire (Agni).

Conclusion: By applying these insights from Ayurveda on water use, we can cultivate balance, prevent disease, and nurture overall health. The key is to respect the timing, quantity, and method of consuming water to align with the body’s natural needs and seasonal variations.