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Healing Waters
Well water, pond water, rain water -- there are many types of water
described in ayurvedic texts, and each has a therapeutic value, just
as food does.
"Water represents soma, the nourishing, cooling quality that is
associated with lunar energy," says Vaidya Mishra, Director of
Research and Product Development at Maharishi Ayurveda Products
International. "It helps with digestion, cools and balances Pitta
dosha, supports Kapha, and counteracts the dryness of Vata. It
nurtures, lubricates and also detoxifies when it flows out of the
body as urine."
Vaidya Mishra explains how the healing effects of water can be
enhanced using ayurvedic methods.
Water for Cleansing
"Sometimes people have dry skin and unquenchable thirst even though
they drink lots of water," says Vaidya Mishra. "The deeper physiology
is not getting enough moisture."
Vaidya Mishra explains that this occurs when the person's agni is low
and ama blocks the microchannels (shrotas) which carry water to the
cells. In order to cleanse the channels and enhance moisture
absorption,ayurvedic texts recommend boiling the water for various
lengths of time, creating a therapeutic water called ushnodaka.
Another method is to add spices or herbs to the water after boiling.
Why It Works
"When the water boils, it gets charged with heat, becoming sharper in
quality," explains Vaidya Mishra. "This sharpness allows it to
cleanse the channels and penetrate deeper levels of the physiology."
Spices create an added therapeutic effect by interacting with the
water on the molecular level. Spices create different effects on the
body through aroma and taste.
"It becomes easier for the body to flush out toxins and impurities
because of the sharpness of the agni (heat) in the water and because
of the sharpness of the spices," explains Vaidya Mishra. "Over time,
it cleanses the channels so the water is unobstructed as it travels
into the body to hydrate the tissues, and travels out carrying waste."
Ayurvedic texts explain that water that has been boiled and spiced is
absorbed much faster by the body. Unboiled, unspiced water from the
tap takes about six hours to be absorbed even if every channel is
clear. Water that has been boiled five minutes and then cooled takes
only about three hours to be absorbed, as the extra sharpness in the
water from boiling helps open the channels. The most absorbable kind
of water -- water that has been boiled, steeped in herbs, and is
still hot--takes only one and one-half hours to be absorbed, due to
the sharp agni quality created by boiling and by adding herbs and
spices.
Water for Your Body Type
"An ayurvedic expert can design a therapeutic water recipe to give a
specific benefit," says Vaidya Mishra. One water recipe might enhance
immunity, another might cleanse the skin, another might help with
prostate imbalance. You can also choose a spice-water recipe for your
body type or imbalances.
Vata Balancing Water
Boil two quarts of water for 5 minutes. Take it off the heat and add
3 leaves mint, 1/2 t. fennel seed, and 1/4 t. marshmallow root. Place
the water in a thermos. Sip it throughout the day at a warm but not
hot temperature.
Pitta Balancing Water
Boil two quarts of water for 2 minutes. Take it off the heat and add
1/4 t. fennel seed, 2 rose buds, and 1 clove. Store it hot inside a
thermos, but before drinking pour it into a cup and let it cool to
room temperature in summer. In winter, it can be slightly warmer.
Kapha Balancing Water
Boil two quarts of water for 5 minutes. Take it off the heat and add
3 holy basil leaves, two thin slices of fresh ginger, 1/4 t. of
cumin, 1/2 t. of fennel. Place the water and spices in a thermos, and
sip the water at a hot or warm temperature throughout the day.
Benefits of Properly Absorbed Water
Even though it takes a little extra effort to boil your water and add
spices to it, the benefits are remarkable. Ayurvedic texts explain
that when water is properly absorbed, it has many health-giving
qualities.
Here are a few
• Helps to remove fatigue (shramnashana)
• Enhances glow of skin
• Prevents constipation
• Increases stamina
• Provides satisfaction
• Helps the heart by pacifying Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha of
Pitta that governs the emotions and their effect on the heart
• Helps digestion
• Cools the body
• Supports physiological functioning
• Assimilates easily
• Has life-giving qualities
• Has antioxidant properties
How Much is Enough?
How much water you should drink depends on your age, how much
physical work or exercise you do, the weather, your diet, your stress
levels, your herbal food supplements, and your body type. The warm
Pitta types usually are thirstier than the watery Kapha types. Vata
types are often constipated or have dry skin and thus need to drink
more water. "I usually recommend two quarts of spice-water a day, but
every person has to determine their own individual level of need and
comfort," says Vaidya Mishra.
Vaidya Mishra recommends making your spice water first thing in the
morning and sipping it every fifteen minutes throughout the day.
Drink plain water after 7:00 p.m., as spice-water is too enlivening
to drink right before sleeping. If you don't finish the spice-water
by then, throw it out and start fresh in the morning.
"You may want to drink some plain water during the day as well," says
Vaidya Mishra. "If you have been exercising and need to drink a full
glass of water, it's better to drink plain water rather than the
spice water."
Water at Meals
Ayurvedic texts also recommend sipping plain water at meals, because
ayurvedic food already contains spices and you don't want to
overwhelm the body. On the other hand, if you are eating a plain
American meal without spices, then the spice-water will help
digestion.
"A cup of water at meals is good, but it depends on what you are
eating," says Vaidya Mishra. "If you are eating soup or dhal, you'll
need much less water. If you are eating a quantity of dry foods, such
as crackers, you'll need more." Water at meals can be room
temperature or hot, depending on your body type, but should never be
ice-cold, as that would douse the digestive fire.
"Forty-five minutes after the meal, you may suddenly feel thirsty,
and then it's a good idea to drink a lot of water as the body needs
it for digestion," says Vaidya Mishra. "In between meals you can sip
the spice-water." You will be surprised how something as simple as
water can enhance your health.
Note : This ayurvedic information is educational and is not intended
to replace standard medical care or advice.
Copyright MAPI, 2002.
For more information on Ayurveda or to subscribe to free newsletters,
plaese visit http://www.mapi.com
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