The healing effects of water in the Ayurvedic tradition
The role of water
Ayurveda points out the essential role of water in purifying the body and eliminating toxins.
The main enemy of good health is considered to be the accumulation of toxins (ama). Toxins are residues from undigested food that gradually accumulate in cells, body fluids and tissues. This toxic build-up weakens the body and the immune system, causing ageing and disease.
Digestive fire
The Ayurvedic system offers certain effective therapies for the elimination of toxins, one of these therapies being USHNODAKA, which involves drinking lukewarm water that has previously been heated without exceeding the boiling point. By heating the water, the informational charge of the subtle element fire is incorporated, which changes the informational and qualitative properties of the water.
This specific therapy in Ayurveda amplifies the power of the digestive fire, and it is well known that as the digestive fire (agni) of the human being is stronger and the immune system will be stronger, the physical vigour and mental tone will also increase, and the state of health will be greatly improved.
Hot water
Another specific therapy in Ayurveda is called AUSHADHI-
After the water is heated and then cooled, it is mixed with fine herbal powder and left to macerate for a certain period of time, which can be between a few minutes and 2 to 3 hours.
After mashing, the resulting liquid is strained or filtered and the herbal water is then gently heated, if necessary, to 40 degrees at the most.
This procedure is particularly recommended for use by people over 40 years of age, when the processes of absorption, assimilation and circulation are somewhat slowed down. It is also recommended for people with a high accumulation of toxins (ama) in the body tissues and skin.
Dry, sagging skin is a clear indication of toxin build-up, which accelerates the ageing process and the appearance of wrinkles. In this case, Ayurveda recommends specific herbs to reduce toxins and restore skin elasticity.
Fasting
Fasting, carried out only with lukewarm water, in which food is completely renounced for a limited period of time, consuming
Ayurvedic methods
In addition to the internal modes of administration, the Ayurveda system also offers a broad system of external therapies based on the effective use of water for therapeutic purposes.
Ayurvedic steam sweat treatments include the use of appropriate herbal macerates, harvested at the optimum time of each season, in the month and time of day clearly specified, so that the herbs ensure maximum effectiveness.
Therapeutic baths can be offered either as part of Ayurvedic treatments or as part of a healthy lifestyle. If the recommendations regarding temperature, pressure, suitability of herbs according to constitutional type are followed, the baths have remarkable healing effects, fitting
So, according to the age-old science of Ayurveda, it is worthwhile to aim to benefit as much as possible from all the beneficial effects that water can have on our body.