New Delhi: We all have heard the saying that “water is life”. However, Ayurveda says, apart from being the source of life, it acts as a medicine as well. It plays an important role in balancing the body’s digestive system, flushing out toxins and keeping the mind and brain calm.
At present, we all are busy in our lives in such a way, we do not pay much attention to our water consumption. But Ayurveda considers all these habits to be against the balance of the body. Many rules for drinking water have been mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, such as which water should be drunk, in which vessel it should be kept, at what time of the day should it be drunk and what should be the right time to drink before or after meals. The correct rules for drinking water have been mentioned in the book on Ayurveda, “The Science of Ayurveda” written by Baba Ramdev.
Which kind of water is the purest?
According to Ayurveda, the best water is that which is taken from rain, springs or clean wells. Such water is light, sweet and cool, which benefits the body. Water kept in the sun (such as in a copper or clay pot) is also very beneficial for health because it removes toxins from the body and cools the body. Ayurveda states that the water of the second rain is the most natural.
It is very important to drink water at the right time and in the right quantity. For example, drinking too much water can spoil digestion. On the other hand, drinking less water also affects the digestive system. If urine and dirt are not removed from the body properly, then elements like poison start accumulating inside. This can cause many types of diseases. Ayurveda says that instead of drinking a lot of water at once, one should drink water in small quantities repeatedly. This provides the body with the necessary water and also keeps digestion good. When food is not being digested, at such times water works like medicine and when the food is completely digested, then drinking water gives strength to the body.
Rules for drinking water while eating
Ayurveda states the accurate time for drinking water, it has a direct effect on the body. Drinking water about 30 minutes before eating food activates the digestive system and the body gets ready to eat. It controls hunger and prevents constipation. Drinking too much water with food dilutes the digestive juices, due to which the food can remain half-digested. Drinking a little lukewarm water in between helps in digestion. On the other hand, drinking water immediately after meals is not considered right at all. This can cause problems of indigestion, acidity, and heaviness. In such a situation, Ayurveda says that water should be drunk at least 45 minutes after eating.
Cold water can harm the body
Nowadays many people like to drink cold water from the fridge in the heat or tiredness, but Ayurveda considers it to be one of the most fatal habits for the body. Cold water calms down the body’s Agni, which slows down the digestion process. This causes problems like indigestion, gas, fatigue and lethargy. Drinking cold water also causes more mucus in the body, which can increase cold, cough and skin diseases. Drinking cold water immediately after a heavy meal can make these problems even more serious. Instead, drinking lukewarm or room temperature water is always beneficial.
Dirty and impure water can cause serious harm
One should always drink clean and pure water, because dirty water can be the root cause of many diseases. If the color, taste, smell or touch of water is strange then it is not drinkable. Apart from this, if the water has not come in contact with sunlight and moonlight, then such water is also not considered pure. Impure water can cause problems like stomach ache, skin disease, constipation, digestive problems, allergies, and fatigue. According to Ayurveda, to purify such water, keep it in the sun, fill it in a copper or silver vessel or filter it repeatedly.
What happens if you drink hot water?
In Ayurveda, hot water is said to be beneficial. Hot water is light and improves digestion. It soothes diseases like indigestion, gas, flatulence, hiccups and cold. Especially if boiled water is consumed after boiling it up to one-fourth of its quantity, it soothes the Vata and Kapha doshas. If water is boiled halfway and consumed, it balances the Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and gives relief in asthma, cough, fever. It is called Ushnodak. Drinking hot water at night is especially beneficial. It melts the phlegm frozen in the body and helps in expelling the Vata.
