WHAT'S UP WITH HOT WATER? (IN AYURVEDA)

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Often is the case that an Ayurvedic Physician will recommend taking hot water in general and/or at certain times. Anytime an Ayurvedic Physician suggests taking something it’s never being “pulled out of a hat.” There is a method in place and a reason(s) behind it. You can check out the article “A General Glimpse Inside the Mind of an Ayurvedic Physician” for an elaboration on this.

There are many benefits to taking hot water. In Ashtanga Hrdaya 5/16-17, Vagbhat states the benefits of hot water “usnodaka” as such:

दीपनं पाचनं कण्ठ्यं लघूष्णं बस्तिशोधनम्||१६||

हिध्माध्मानानिलश्लेष्मसद्यःशुद्धिनवज्वरे|

कासामपीनसश्वासपार्श्वरुक्षु च शस्यते||१७||


dīpanaṁ pācanaṁ kaṇṭhyaṁ laghūṣṇaṁ bastiśōdhanam||16||

hidhmādhmānānilaślēṣmasadyaḥśuddhinavajvarē|

kāsāmapīnasaśvāsapārśvarukṣu ca śasyatē||17||

What this means is that hot water does:

  • dipana (increases appetite by stimulating digestive fire/agni)

  • pacana (encourages breaking down of accumulated undigested matter) **like pouring hot water on a dish with fat/grease

  • vata anulomana (encourages the downward flow of movement of digestion, like peristalsis

  • sroto shodhana (cleanses the channels)

  • koshta shodhana (cleanses the digestive/alimentary channel)

  • trsnanigraha (satisfies thirst)

  • kapha ruksan (dries excess kapha)

Per Vagbhat, hot water stimulates hunger, helps digestion, is good for the throat, is easily digestible, cleanses the urinary bladder, relieves hiccups, and flatulence, addresses aggravation of Vata and Kapha; is ideal on days of purification therapy (shodhana/panchakarma), those suffering from nascent fevers, cough, accumulated material in the tissues/cells (ama), runny nose, pain in the flanks, runny nose, dyspnoea, and pain in the flanks. Additionally, water that has been boiled and/or kept over night becomes stale and can aggravate all three doshas the next day, so it is best not to do this.

Hot water’s qualities are mainly usna (hot), ruksa (drying), laghu (light), tiksna (sharp), cala (moving), and drava (liquid.) Hot water is best when freshly boiled and allowed to cool just enough so you can sip it but still consume hot.

Due to the aforementioned qualities, Hot water is arhata (indicated) in many health issues, especially digestive issues of stagnation, upward movement, poor digestion, unstable digestion, circulation issues, lymphatic issues, and congestive issues, fever of Vata, Kapha, Vata-Kapha in nature, Pitta with mandagni (compromised/depleted agni), and predominantly Kapha and Vata issues, generally. Hot water is anarhata (contraindicated) in Pitta fevers, tiksna (sharp/hot) agni, rashes of Pitta nature, where cold water is indicated, vatika disorders of shiras (the head), those who are singing regularly, and right after a meal in large quantities.

REFERENCES:

GLIMPSE INTO AN AYURVEDIC PHYSICIAN’S MIND

SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER IN HEALTH PER AYURVEDA

DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only and is not considered medical advice. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed by a qualified practitioner and/or primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.