In my last blog I wrote about the various myths in context with water consumption and the resultant ailments. This time I am taking the discussion a bit further to discuss the ideal methods of water storage…
Water takes on varying characteristics when stored in vessels of different metals. Since times immemorial different metal vessels are used to store water… metals like, iron, brass copper, silver and even gold! Naturally then, these metals have differing impacts on the characteristics of water. It is therefore imperative that one should choose a vessel for water storage that not only will have nil or at least minimum side effects on the water’s characteristics but the choice should also be done that would be compatible to one’s physical constitution and of course, geographic.
Some metals are known to remove the impurities of water, but for purification gold which is described in Ayurved as ‘Vish-har’ (one that removes the toxins) is considered to be the most ideal metal of all. That is why it is recommended that water should be ideally stored in a gold vessel and a gold vessel should also be used also for drinking water. (Wow! only if we all could afford it. Isn’t it..?) This ‘Golden water’ is considered to be of ‘Ushna Guna’ while water stored in a silver vessel is considered to be of ‘Sheet Guna’
Water stored in Copper vessel is considered to be good only if the vessel is filled AFTER sunrise and such water is consumed BEFORE sunset. Water stored in a copper vessel overnight tends to becomes toxic, changes in taste and sometimes takes on a greenish shade.
A clay pot on the other hand that is properly baked is devoid of any impurities. If water methodically boiled and filtered and then stored in this clay pot, will always be ideal for consumption. Such clay pots are abundantly seen in India and elsewhere routinely during summers.
Water stored in vessels made of ghosa (bell metal) is very hot in potency, heavy to digest and rendered pungent after metabolism. It aggravates pitta and kapha and on allowing it to stay for a long time, its properties differ with time.
Water stored in copper vessels is very hot in potency, tasty, instantly pungent, vitiates pitta, stimulates the digestive fire and on allowing to stay for long, it quickly alleviates vata.
Water stored in brass utensils is pungent and instantly hot in potency, alleviates kapha, aggravates pitta and causes progression of prameha.
Water stored in iron vessels is very dry and treats bleeding disorders, itching and vitiations of all three doshas.
I am sure now you would have a few queries and you would like to know more. So write to me and I shall endeavour to answer those.
Talking about queries, one of my patients in Israel, Anna (identity covered for confidentiality) wrote to me asked me and I quote, ” If water is not to be had, then how to take medicines before and after meals?” A very commonly faced dilemma…The answer to this is, ” first of all such post and pre meal medicines should be taken after 20 minutes post or before meals and further what one needs is hardly 30 to 60 ml of water…Think about it!
And remember, Drinking water in large quantity early morning on empty stomach, will definitely increase the ‘kapha dhatu’ and is not good in ‘kapha’ conditions like cough, rhinitis.
See you next time till then, keep writing to me and stay healthy!
Dr. Manjiri Joshi
www.ayurconcept.com
9403360452