Around 57-60% of the human body is made of water. Water is truly an essential nutrient. It is required by the body to perform many different functions including providing a medium for the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body, lubrication of joints, eyes, and mouth, maintaining a normal body temperature, and helping to detoxify the body through the gut, the skin via perspiration and the kidneys via urine.
Ayurveda, the 5000-year-old science of healing considers boiled hot water to be of immense value. It is considered to have the power to clean the gut and improve its digestive abilities. This increase in the ability to digest allows the body to eliminate foreign and pathologic toxins, improving the immune system.
We lose 1800-2100 ml water daily through our skin, lungs, urination via kidneys, and stools via the gut. The inability to replenish water loss leads to poor hydration. Poor hydration manifests through dry and scaly skin, dark urine, headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, palpitations, and even confusion.
According to Ayurveda the ability of the water to carry out its functions can be enhanced by putting ginger in the water when boiling or squeezing fresh lemon juice after boiling. It is preferable to boil the water on a stove. Depending on your Ayurvedic body type, your physician can help you select specific herbs that can be added to your water to enhance your health.
Proper hydration is the first step towards detoxifying our bodies. Our water requirements are based on our gender, the type of physical work we do, and our body size. Find out more about your water requirements and strategies to ensure adequate hydration from your doctor.