Hydration and BEVERAGES

Western popular culture has recently come to view hydration as key for good health. 

The marketplace offers all kinds of water spinners and hooplacomboobulators which may, or may not, be of use in making water more easy to assimilate. 

For many individuals the practice of drinking more water would probably be a good thing.

What to do? What to do?

BOILED Water

Ayurveda recommends that water be boiled. 

Boiled water is thought to be more easily and quickly assimilated than water that has not been boiled. 

Try drinking boiled water and 'see' if your body is pleased. Drink water at a temp that suits your constitution.
Whatever we eat or drink should be pleasing. 
After, we should feel 'light' and energetic.
Listen to what your body is telling you. 

hydration tipS:

  • Find a good source of water and boil it

  • Drink water at a temperature that suits your preference – hot, warm, or at room temperature.

  • Drinking cold water is not recommended as it requires energy to heat it to body temperature. 

  • Sip water continually throughout the day rather than gulping down a glass at a time 

  • Purchase PH paper and check PH level of water you drink. Water with a  PH of 7 or higher is considered to be Life supporting and will be a great help in creating the 7.4, slightly basic level recommended for the body. 

SPice Water

Experiment with spices pleasing to your sense of smell and taste. Spice waters are usually combinations of 3 spices.

Experiment. Try lightly toasting a 1/2 tsp of each of the following in a frying pan before adding them to a liter of water. Or try them untoasted.Store the spice water in a thermos. Drink throughout the day but after the evening meal till bed drink just plain water.
  • Cumin
  • Coriander
  • Fennel

Soak in boiled water a few of the following. (experiment):
  • Fennel
  • Fenugreek Seed
  • Mint
  • Marshmallow Root
  • Indian Sarsaparilla 
  • White Pumpkin Seeds
  • Daikon (sliced)
  • Ginger Root (sliced)

Why 3 spices?
An important concept from Ayurveda is that combining various ingredients forms a synergy - that is to say the whole is greater than the parts. 

Seldom does a spice water contain only one spice (though it could work as in the case of fennel seeds for some individuals).

It is most common to see spice water mixes of 3 spices. Seldom are spice water mixes more than 4 spices.


 
Picture
Fennel seeds soaked in boiling water