Water represents soma—nourishing, cooling energy associated with the moon.
Water aids digestion, cools and balances Pitta dosha, sustains Kapha, and counteracts the dryness of Vata. It nourishes, lubricates, and detoxifies the body by flushing out toxins through urine.
To cleanse the bodily channels and enhance moisture absorption, Ayurvedic texts recommend boiling water at different times of the day, creating therapeutic water known as ushnodaka. Another method is adding herbs or spices to water after boiling. Ancient texts distinguish between the absorption rates of regular and boiled water:
Regular water — takes about 6 hours to be absorbed if all channels are clear
Boiled or cooled boiled water — takes about 3 hours to absorb and helps open the channels
Hot herbal water — can be absorbed in around 1.5 hours, depending on the strength of the herbs and spices
Water According to Your Body Type
How much water you need depends on your age, level of physical activity, climate, diet, stress levels, herbal supplements, and your body constitution. The warm Pitta types usually feel thirstier than the watery Kapha types. Vata types often struggle with dryness or constipation and thus need more water. Ayurveda teaches that how you drink water is just as important as how much.
Ayurvedic Way of Drinking Water:
First and foremost, sit down before drinking water (just as you should when eating).
Sip, don’t gulp. Take a sip, breathe, and repeat.
Drink small amounts of water throughout the day. Avoid drinking large quantities all at once—it won’t be absorbed and will just pass through your system.
Water should be at least room temperature. Warm is always better. Cold or iced water literally shuts down digestion.
After meals, take a sip or two of water. Drinking too much while eating fills the stomach and leaves no room for digestive processes.
Follow this golden rule: Fill the stomach with 50% food, 25% water, and leave 25% empty.
Do not drink water immediately before or after eating.
Drink when you are thirsty. Thirst is your body’s natural signal—it means you need water.
The "8 glasses per day" rule is not one-size-fits-all. We all eat differently and live different lifestyles. Let your thirst guide you.
Urine is another hydration indicator—it should be clear and clean. If it’s dark yellow, you need to drink more.
Dry lips are a sign of dehydration.
These guidelines may seem simple—even obvious—but they can dramatically improve how you feel day to day. The most important principle is to be aware of what you eat and drink and to listen to your body’s signals. Do not ignore your thirst.
Ingredients to Make Water More Detoxifying
Lemon
Drinking lemon water helps cleanse and alkalize the body. Add thin slices or freshly squeezed lemon juice to your glass. Drink lemon water in the morning and wait about 30 minutes before eating.
Lemon water reduces inflammation, aids digestion, supports weight loss, protects skin from inflammation, boosts the immune system, freshens breath, and helps fight viral infections.
Mint
Mint adds a natural sweetness to water and supports digestion.
Cucumber
Adding a few cucumber slices makes water an excellent rehydration drink. It also provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
Ginger
Ginger has well-known health benefits. It aids digestion and cleanses the stomach. Add thin slices or grate a small piece into your water.
Hydrate your body the right way.
Be mindful of your drinking and eating habits—and treat them as a sacred act.
Only then will you truly begin to heal your physical body.
