DRINKING WATER THE SAP OF LIFE FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH i.e.

ENHANCING NAMASMARAN DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR ====================================================== Those who are not keen to read the whole article read only this SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: ALONG WITH NAMASMARAN; DRINK FROM 1 TO 5 GLASSES OF WATER (NOT ICE COLD OR FROM FRIDGE) IN MORNING; IMMEDIATELY AFTER GETTING UP. ====================================================== We must know that 66 % of the body weight is constituted by water. Out of this a bout 66 % i. e. about 28 liters is in the cells called intracellular fluid and a bout 34 % i. e. about 14 liters is outside the cells called extracellular fluid. Right in the beginning it must be appreciated that water is essential for the sa liva to form and give us; amongst other things; the ability to taste. Formation of saliva would be tremendously compromised if there is inadequate ava ilability of water. It is common experience that drying of mouth is associated w ith: a. sensation of thirst b. speechlessness, c. bad odor to breath [halitosis], d. oral infections e. caries of teeth.. Water is also required for the formation of gastric, pancreatic, intestinal and bile juices. Water is required amongst other things for temperature regulation through format ion of sweat. It is by getting dissolved in water, that the nutrients can reach different part s of body. It is the water that various chemical reactions take place so as to generate ene rgy and also to build different body tissues, from the nutrients consumed. The water is also required for dissolving and carrying away the waste material f rom the body cells. Water is very much required for removal of waste products through the rectum and urinary bladder. The dry feces can be extremely painful and harmful and dry uri ne [oligouria, anuria] can be fatal. This probably does not require further elab oration as most of us have experienced the burning micturition and dry feces dur ing fever and/or due even mild deficiency of water due to one reason or another. But in addition water is also required for removal of toxic gases like CO2 by fo rming [ CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = HCO3- + H+] NaHCO3. In fact, it is required for dissolving, neutralizing and detoxifying several sub stances from all the body cells as well as specialized cells like those of liver . It is worth noting that some individuals develop allergy to some substances incl uding some drugs. In such situation, drinking large quantities of water is found to be beneficial. I myself; have experienced this. It is also important to note that many of those who get dehydration and head ach e; can get relief by drinking lot of water. This is because of lot of water is c onsumed for metabolism of alcohol leaving the body dehydrated.

It is interesting to note that the gastrointestinal tract is nothing else but th e internalized skin! It is therefore natural that this tract has lot of sensory receptors; in as much as it has various glands and muscles. Therefore apart from everything else, mentioned above, the first thing that happens after we drink w ater is that we feel fresh! Secondly; it cleans various secretions of no consequ ence or those with injurious effects. Thirdly; it stimulates movements of the st omach, intestine, small intestine etc. as a result of which there is facilitatio n of movement of feces towards the anus. This helps in relieving constipation. Drinking water is like internal bath. Drinking of water can be beneficially used for many of those who wish to control habits such as tea, coffee or tobacco, alcohol etc. Since water has the paramou nt quenching effect it does allay the anxiety and restlessness associated with a bstinence of these substances; and thus; helps overcome these habits [though oth er measures may also be required depending on the severity of habit/addiction in an individual case]. In view of all the above, the custom of drinking water in morning called USHAHPA NAM. (Actually this a general and nonspecific term. Ushaa means the time before the sunrise and paanam means to drink) is very beneficial. Water is life giving. Hence water itself is called life [JEEVANA]. It is very in teresting to note that n India there is a custom of offering jaggery and water t o the visitors. Water is served right in the beginning even in restaurants. It also interesting to note and appreciate the practice of ACHAMANA i.e. drinkin g of water in small sips combined with NAMASMARAN. NB: This is an article from my book "Conceptual Stress: Understanding and Manage ment". If you like this; you are welcome to share it with others.