Drinking Water as Per Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide
Drinking water, also known as potable water, is that water that is safe for ingestion. Drinking water can be drunk directly in any liquid form or consumed indirectly through various food preparations. The amount of water for drinking depends on age, physical activity level, environmental factors, and clinical conditions. The recommended daily amount of drinking water for human beings varies. Potable water is available in all populated areas on the earth, either it is expensive, or the supply may not always be sustainable.
Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, gives a lot of importance to water. Srishti Utpatti, the creation process and the formation of the human body, Sharira Utpatti both require Jala Mahabhoota (water element). In the human body, Rasa dhatu (plasma), Rakta dhatu (blood and its components), Kapha dosha, Pitta dosha, Shukra dhatu, Rasanendriya (tongue), Mutra (urine), Sweda (sweat), etc. are predominantly formed of Jala Mahabhoota. Aapa, Salila, Vaari, etc. are a few synonyms of Jala.1,2
Qualities of water as explained in classics of Ayurveda
The qualities of water depend on the vessel collected, geographical source, season, and so on. The purest form of water is said to be rainwater and collected, which is examined thoroughly.
The qualities of water described in the texts of Ayurveda are as follows: Anirdeshya rasa (has no specific taste), Jeevaniya (promotes life), Shrama-klama-mada-murcha-pipasa-daha prashamana (subsides exhaustion-delirium-thirst-burning sensation), Pittahara (subsides pitta dosha), etc.
Jalapana (drinking water)
Sevana yogya jala (water ideal for drinking)
Water that has no odor, has no specific taste, quenches the thirst, is light for digestion, gives satiety, and is clean is ideal for drinking purposes.
Qualities of water that are contra-indicated for drinking
Water that is contaminated with leaves of lotus, weed, algae, grass, that which is not exposed to sun rays, moonlight, air, water that has an unpleasant odor, specific taste, that which produces thirst, heaviness in the body, abdominal pain, excess salivation in the mouth, takes a long time for digestion, causes constipation are the qualities of water that are contra-indicated for drinking purpose.
Drinking water according to rutu
- Greeshma rutu – During summer days drinking water that is cold and treated with flowers of Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens) and camphor is good for health.
- Varsha rutu – Water from wells, boiled water, and rainwater is beneficial for health in rainy season.
- Hemantha rutu and Shishira rutu – Drinking warm water in pre-winters and winters is helpful.
Therapeutic indications and contra-indications of Sheeta jala (cold water)
Sheeta jala pacifies Pitta dosha. It is indicated in Daha (burning sensation), Bhrama (delirium), Klama (fatigue), Vamathu (vomiting), Urdhwaga Raktapitta (bleeding disorder from upper orifices).
Parshwashoola (pain in the flanks), Pratishyaya (rhinitis), Navajwara (fever of recent origin), Hikka (hiccoughs), Vataroga (diseases of Vata dosha), Adhmana (abdominal distension), post-Shodhana (post -purificatory procedures), one who has undergone Snehana (oleation therapy) are some of the conditions where Sheeta Jala is contra-indicated.
Characteristics, therapeutic indications, and contra-indications of Ushnodaka (boiled water)
Ushnodaka is the water that is boiled and reduced to half of its quantity. The water is kaphahara (pacifies Kapha dosha), vatahara (pacifies Vata dosha), medohara (which acts on fats), deepana (appetizer), pachana (digestive), basti shodhana (that which cleanses the urinary bladder), kanthya (that which is good for throat).
It is indicated in Trishna (thirst), Shwasa (dyspnea), Kasa (cough), Hikka (hiccough), Jwara (fever), Vibandha (constipation), Gulma roga (abdominal lump).
Ushnodaka is contra-indicated during night-time which is boiled in the daytime and drinking boiled water in the daytime that is boiled in the night.
Ushnodaka based on rutu (seasons)
Depending on different rutu (seasons) boiling and reducing the water for drinking purposes is explained as follows:
- Sharad rutu (autumn season) – Water is boiled and reduced to 1/8 the of the quantity.
- Hemant rutu (pre-winter season) – Water is boiled and reduced to 1/4th of the quantity.
- Vasanta (spring season), Greeshma (summer season), and Varsha rutu (rainy season) – Water is boiled and reduced to half the quantity.
Ushnodaka based on dosha
Boiled water has therapeutic actions on dosha and hence the mode of boiling is also different.
- Vatahara – To pacify Vata dosha alone, water is boiled and reduced to ¼ the of the quantity.
- Vata-Pitta hara – To pacify Vata-Pitta dosha water is boiled and reduced to ½ of the quantity.
- Tridosha hara – Water is boiled and reduced to ¾ of the quantity to pacify all three dosha.
Portion of water in the stomach
Ayurveda explains that kukshi (correlated with stomach) is divided into four parts. Two parts are reserved for solid foods, one part for liquids, and the remaining part is kept reserved for the movement of Vata dosha.
Duration of digestion of water
The time taken for digestion of different forms of drinking water is described in the classics of Ayurveda. Normal unboiled water takes three hours for digestion, water that is boiled and then cooled takes one and a half hours for digestion and hot water takes 45 minutes for digestion.
Relation of drinking water and the intake of food/meals
- Intake of water just before meals causes indigestion and leads to emaciation of the body.
- Drinking water in between meals helps in maintaining the normal functioning of tissues and cells and is easy for digestion.
- Obesity and accumulation of fat in the abdomen are the results of drinking water immediately after meals.
Advise of drinking water in Panchakarma
Water advised for drinking is said to be ideal in Panchakarma. Drinking warm water during the procedures of purification and post-purification is advisable. Hot water is advised for drinking during Abhyantara Snehana (internal oleation) and after the snehana karma.
Exceptions of drinking water in Snehana karma are Tuvaraka and Bhallataka Snehapana (intake of medicated ghee made of Hydnocarpus laurifolia and Semicarpus Anacardium respectively).
The practice of drinking water before sunrise
Ushajalapana– drinking water before sunrise has health benefits. Drinking normal water that is not boiled and kept overnight pacifies Vata-Pitta-Kapha dosha by its qualities being heavy and cooling properties. The quantity mentioned in the classics for Ushajalapana is Ashta prasrata (approx. 640 ml). It helps in the proper elimination of urine and stools. It can prevent the diseases like Mandagni (impaired digestion), Arshas (hemorrhoids), Jwara (fever), Mutra vikara (diseases of the urinary system), Kushta (skin diseases).
Nasya jalapana (intake of water via nasal route)
Ayurveda texts mention the practice of intake of water through the nasal route which helps in the prevention of premature wrinkling of skin and premature graying of hair, preventing rhinitis. It improves eyesight and the vision gained by this practice resembles the power of the eyesight of Garuda (eagle). The amount of water prescribed for this practice is Traya Prasrata (approx. 240 ml).
Effects of drinking excess water
Drinking excess water in conditions of excess thirst leads to an increase in kapha and pitta dosha. It leads to conditions like Agnisada (impaired digestion), Adhmana (abdominal distension), Kasa (cough), Shwaasa (dyspnea), Trishna (thirst), Nidra (excess sleep), Hrillasa (nausea), Praseka (excess salivation in the mouth), Peenasa (rhinitis), etc.
Conclusion
Jalapana – drinking water has a unique place in Ayurveda. The methodology of drinking water as per the classical references of Ayurveda depends on dosha, rutu, sheeta jala, ushna jala, concerning the intake of meals, and the practice of water intake before sunrise. The time taken for digestion of different forms of water has its effects on dosha and clinical conditions as well. Nasya jala pana is one of the practices advised as per the science of Ayurveda which helps in the prevention of premature aging. Drinking an optimum amount of water is essential as it may lead to various illnesses when taken either in less or excess quantity.
References
- https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/api/file/viewByFileId/981541.pdf
- https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2226/2847