Drinking Hot Water: Scientific Backing for Ayurvedic Traditions
A time-tested approach from Ayurvedic practices for hydration, detoxification, and revitalization involves regular intake of hot water, known as ‘garam pani.’ From the Ayurvedic standpoint, the consumption of warm to hot water serves to cleanse and moisturize the digestive tract. 
Additionally, it activates and cleanses the lymphatic system. This temperature of the water also improves the quality of ‘ahara rasa,’ the initial nourishing fluid within the digestive system.
The act of consuming hot water reinforces the ‘agni’ or digestive fire within the stomach (‘pachaka’) and encourages the activity of digestive enzymes (‘ranjaka’) within the liver.
This synergy results in more effective breakdown and absorption of nutrients while aiding the elimination of harmful substances (‘ama’).
Ama refers to the buildup of unprocessed food particles that can cause irritation, and inflammation, and weaken the integrity of the intestinal lining, which acts as a protective barrier.
Ama can enter the body’s tissues through the circulatory system (srotas). Hot water has the effect of widening these srotas, promoting improved circulation, and aiding in the elimination of cellular ama.
Why is drinking water important?
The human body, composed of around 60% water, relies on this vital element for optimal function. Lymph, a bodily fluid serving as a kind of internal ‘sewerage,’ consists of 98% water.
When water intake is insufficient, the excretion of toxins becomes compromised, potentially leading to their accumulation within the body. Blood contains 98% water, muscles 75%, and bones 25%. This underscores the pervasive role of water across all bodily systems.
Maintaining proper water balance by consuming clean, quality water is paramount. The recommended daily water intake for adults ranges from 2 to 3 liters, varying based on factors such as height, weight, and health.
Understanding the type, timing, and temperature of water consumption is equally important. This practice is so integral that public spaces often offer access to boiled water for consumption.
In the realm of daily life in the Middle Kingdom, water holds a distinct significance. Residents engage in various water-related rituals, including baths, tea consumption, hot water usage for compresses and foot baths, and more.
Why drink hot water?
Drinking hot water offers several notable benefits for the body’s functioning. It serves to accelerate metabolism, leading to enhanced secretion of stomach and pancreatic juices, as well as bile flow—effectively kickstarting the gastrointestinal processes.
Through the intake of hot water, toxins, and harmful substances are effectively flushed out of the body. This cleansing action contributes to the maintenance of sustained normal functions, promoting youthfulness and overall health.
In Indian tradition, the belief is anchored in the notion that many illnesses stem from exposure to cold. Consequently, addressing cold-related issues often begins with the consumption of plain hot water.
The warmth of the liquid indeed has a positive impact on the respiratory system, aiding in the expeditious expulsion of mucus and phlegm.
Furthermore, when combating severe colds, elevated temperatures lead to sweating, and the consumption of ample hot water rapidly restores the body’s water balance.
Hot water possesses another valuable quality—it offers swift relief from exhaustion and stress. When combined with water-based therapies, the body’s recovery process accelerates significantly.
Immersing oneself in hot baths proves beneficial for anxiety and insomnia. The mechanism is straightforward: the warming effect dilates blood vessels, elevates blood pressure, and enriches the brain with increased oxygen supply—a revitalizing boon for a fatigued body.
Beyond these advantages, consuming hot water acts as an immune system fortifier, bolstering the body’s resilience against diseases and viruses, and ultimately contributing to enhanced overall health.
Applying Hot Water Therapies
According to Ayurvedic principles, it’s recommended to boil water for a minimum of 10 minutes. This alteration in the water’s subtle properties makes it more readily absorbable by the body.
While advantageous throughout the year, consuming hot or warm water holds particular benefits during winter and spring, aiding in the equilibrium of Vata and Kapha.
The warmth counters Vata’s coldness and mitigates the heaviness and congestion of Kapha. Conversely, cold water could exacerbate these imbalances. Surprisingly, in the summer, hot water aids in balancing pitta by enhancing vasodilation of the tissues, facilitating the dissipation of heat.
Infusions: Recipes for Seasonal Hot Water
To enhance the efficacy of seasonal ama removal using hot water, incorporating certain herbs and spices can be beneficial.
For Balancing Vata: Include a quarter of a lemon (per 8 oz) after boiling the water.
For Balancing Pitta: Incorporate 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds (per 8 oz) before boiling the water.
For Balancing Kapha: Add half a teaspoon of ginger root (per 8 oz) before boiling the water.
Detox Protocol: Consume small sips of this infused hot water every 15-20 minutes for a span of two weeks.
Maintenance Approach: Enjoy the infused hot water alongside your meals and intermittently throughout the day.
Please Note: Heat the water akin to preparing tea, ensuring it’s not overly scalding. Extremely hot water has the potential to irritate the esophageal cells. Research suggests that hot water is safe when its temperature remains under 149 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Scientific Basis for the Benefits of Hot Water
Alleviates Intestinal Discomfort: One of the advantages of Ayurvedic hot water therapy is its potential to alleviate pain. In a 2009 study featured in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, individuals with irritable bowel syndrome undergoing a colonoscopy found relief from pain and intestinal spasms through the consumption of warm or hot water.
Boosts Digestive Capacity: According to findings published in the journal Animals, warm water has been linked to an increase in beneficial bacteria within the intestines of rabbits. During colder months, researchers provided one group of rabbits with cold water and the other with warm water.
The outcome indicated that rabbits consuming warm water exhibited improved digestion, enhanced food assimilation, and a notably higher population of beneficial intestinal bacteria in comparison to the cold-water group.
This study lends support to the notion that warm water not only balances vata but also bolsters digestive strength and encourages a more diverse microbiome.
Facilitates Bowel Function: Although limited research directly corroborates this Ayurvedic assertion, a separate study indicated that warm water administered after surgery had a favorable impact on intestinal movements, coupled with a notable reduction in flatulence.
Relieves Sinus Congestion: A 1978 study assessing the efficacy of hot water versus cold water in the removal of respiratory tract mucus demonstrated that hot water, combined with chicken soup, was significantly more effective. Ayurveda has long held that cold water increases mucus (kapha) and exacerbates vata-related issues within the sinuses and respiratory system.
In another study involving 30 participants, a hot drink provided both immediate and sustained relief from symptoms such as runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chills, and fatigue. In contrast, the same drink at room temperature only brought relief from symptoms of runny nose, cough, and sneezing.
