There are numerous health benefits of drinking hot water. Hot water is lighter than cold water and good for the digestive system. It helps to stimulate digestive secretions and improves absorption of nutrients in the body. Drinking hot water also gives relief in cold, cough and sore throat. If you drink hot water before the meals than it not only loosens cough but also cures indigestion. Hot water gives relief in heartburn, gas, acute indigestion, heartburn, cramps and vomiting.
To know more about therapeutic uses of drinking hot water, read on.
Ayurvedic view on hot water drinking
As mentioned in Ayurveda, when water it boiled till its volume reduces to half then it is called Ushna Jal. It is Tridoshnashak and helpful in vitiated condition of Vaat, Pitta, and Kapha. It helps to detoxify body and urine. This water is helpful in respiratory infections such as phlegm, asthma, cough and fever. Drinking of Ushna Jal at night cures cough related disorders.
When water is boiled till its volume reduces to one-fourth, then it is called Aarogyaambu. It is light in nature, easily digestible and improves digestive strength. The drinking of hot Aarogyaambu gives relief in Asthma, Cough, Constipation, Gas, Pain, Gulma, Hiccups, Excessive thirst, Diarrhoea, Fever, Swelling and Pain in abdomen.
In summer and winters one should drink Aarogyaambu, in rest of seasons the drinking of Ushna Jal is recommended in Ayurveda.
As per Ayurveda, Un-boiled water takes three hours for digestion. Boiled and then cooled water takes one and half hours, and boiled but hot water takes only forty-five minutes for digestion. So the water which boiled and drink hot is most light, easily digestible and beneficial for health. Ayurveda also says, one should drink water as per health and vitiated Dosha of the body.
Health benefits of hot Water drinking
- Good for the digestive system
Drinking hot water is good for the digestive system. It acts as powerful stimulant. It not only supports digestion but also assimilation. Hot water helps to calm aggravated vaat (wind) inside the body and gives relief in bloating, hiccups and pain. Hot water drinking helps in better movement of food in intestine, and gives relief in spasm and colic due to its internal heat application to intestine. - Helpful in respiratory infection
Drinking hot water helps to loosen mucus accumulations and its easy expulsion from the body. It also gives relief in sore throat and throat infections. - Good for Urinary system
Hot water drinking helps to keep correct specific gravity of urine. For this purpose, hot water should be taken four times a day. This helps to maintain specific gravity, quantity, color, smell of urine to normal. - Free from bacteria
Heating of water destroys harmful micro-organisms who are responsible for various waterborne diseases such as Amebiasis, cholera, Giardiasis, Gastroenteritis, etc. This makes water safer for drinking. - Prevents bad breath
Hot water should be kept in the mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. This helps to control bacterial growth inside mouth and prevents bad breath. - Gives relief in chronic disease
If you are suffering from any chronic disease related to the liver, digestive system, respiratory system, intestine then you must try this regularly for a few months. It is like inside wash of the body that flushes bile, crystals, and waste out of the body.
How to Drink Hot Water?
You can drink hot water empty stomach in morning after waking up.
You can drink a glass of hot water 1-2 hours before each meal. You should not eat anything for an hour after drinking hot water to avoid vomiting. After 1-2 hours of meal, you can again drink hot water.
The temperature of hot water should be as of a hot tea. Sip hot water slowly, keep it in the mouth for a few seconds and then swallow. You should drink a glass of hot water in 15-20 minutes.
If you regularly drink hot water for six months then it washes the liver, intestine thoroughly and detoxifies the body.
For making hot water tasty, you may add lemon juice, ginger juice, salt, etc.
Note: The drinking of hot water is not recommended while suffering from the stomach ulcers.