Healing_Powers_of_Water

HEALING POWERS OF WATER Upto seventy percent of the total body weight is due to water. Although it is present in all parts of the body, it is more in organs such as lungs and brain and fluids such as blood, lymph, saliva and secretions by the organs of the digestive system. Most people believe that we feel thirsty whenever our body needs more water. While this is true, recent research studies have indicated that there are several other indicators of inadequate water in some or all parts of the body. Ignoring these indicators can lead to several major diseases that medicines may cure but not treat. HOW IS THE BODY WATER REGULATED' Whenever there is water shortage in the house, one would prioritise the use of water for essential purposes. Similarly, when the body receives less water histamine, a chemical compound present in all cells, initiates a system of water regulation. Histamine directs some neuro-transmitters to operate sub-systems to regulate water intake. These sub-systems use chemical substances such as “vasopressin” for regulating water intake and distribution. The ratio of the water content in and outside the cells of the various organs is very important. As age of advances, water content in the cells-decreases. Since the water content in each cell plays a vital role in maintaining is normal function, inadequate water can lead to loss of some functions. Loss of functions results in specific signs and symptoms. IMPORTANT USE OF WATER FOR MAINTAINING NORMAL HEALTH Necessary for all chemical reactions in the body. Just as water helps a seed grow into a tree, it also helps our body grow from birth to adulthood. The flow of water inside and outside the cells generates energy. This energy is stored in body along with other chemical sources of energy in the body. The energy generated by the water in the cells helps transmit impulses in the nerves. Helps formation of a glue like material that helps the solid substances in the walls of the cells to be “stuck” to each other. Helps transport the chemical substances produced by the brain that carry its messages to different parts of the body. Just as there are lanes on a min road for different types of vehicles, chemical substances of the brain are transported in the “water lanes” along the length of the nerves. Water content in the body influences the functions of the various proteins and enzymes that are dissolved in it. In addition to these, nature cure describes the following roles of water in our body. Water helps maintain the moisture of the lining of the internal organs of the body. It maintains normal volume and consistency of fluids such as blood and lymph. It regulates body temperature. It removes “poisons” or “toxins” from the body through urine, sweat and breathing. Water is essential for regulating the normal structure and functions of the skin. The body loses about four liters of water every day. It is there-fore necessary to replenish this volume by drinking at least the equivalent amount of water every day. Inadequate intake or water can lead to dehydration. Dehydration is excessive loss of water from the body. It results in imbalance in sodium, potassium and chloride levels. This is often the result of rapid loss of water due to conditions such as fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. The common symptoms of dehydration of the entire body include increased thirst, loss of skin elasticity, dry skin, decreased urine production, irritability and confusion. INDICATIONS OF DEHYDRATION Thirst is an early indicator of inadequate water in the entire body. Depending upon the organ affected by inadequate water supply, there are specific signs and symptoms. Chronic pains and allergies are the most common symptoms indicating limited functions of an organ due to chronic dehydration of the affected organs. COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS DUE TO CHRONIC DEHYDRATION DYSPEPSIA Dyspepsia is the term used for a vague feeling of discomfort in the stomach region soon after eating food. This discomfort can be in the form of a feeling of fullness, heartburn, bloating and nausea. Dyspepsia is not a disease but a symptom indicating that there is an underlying disease such as ulcer in the stomach, diseases of the gall bladder or chronic appendicitis. There are two main reasons why inadequate water intake can lead to dyspepsia. These include (a) increased acid in the stomach and (b) changes in the normal functions of the pancreas. HOW DOES DRINKING MORE WATER PREVENT DYSPEPSIA' When one drinks a glass of water, especially on empty stomach, it passes into the intestines immediately and is absorbed into the body. After about one to one and half-hours, the absorbed water is secreted into the stomach through its inner layer and as a result removes the excess salt deposits on it. Thus, the protective layer of water remains intact. The acids therefore cannot penetrate the layer and cause dyspepsia. This is why nature cure recommends drinking water at least an hour before meals. You can cure gastritis and heartburn just by increasing the intake of water to about two and a half liters of water per day. ROLE OF MEDICINES IN DYSPEPSIA Medicines such as Ranitidine or Clmetidine that are extensively prescribed for control of dyspepsia are very effective for short-term therapy. However, it is likely that prolonged use of these medicines may actually be harmful. This is because they block the action of histamine on specific “receptors” in the body. OTHER DISORDERS DUE TO DEHYDRATION: Joint Pain, Low Backpain, Stress & Depression, High Blood Pressure, High Cholestrol, Obesity. Normal daily requirement of water Quantity of water required for the body functions depends on several factors such as age, climate, season, physical activity, type of food consumed, amount of condiments and species used for cooking, the water content in the food and salt intake. Normally, our daily diet provides about two-third of the body’s requirement of water. Some health practitioners suggest that you drink about eight to ten glasses of water every day to meet the remaining one third of the body’s requirement. You also need to drink a lot of water when you are tired and/ or are sweating profusely. One should avoid drinking water while eating food, as digestion of the food is likely to adversely affected. Water also dilutes the digestive juices in the stomach, thus leading to indigestion. It is desirable that you drink water on empty stomach or three hours after food or one to one and half-hours before food. HOW SHOULD YOU DRINK WATER' Nature Cure recommends that you need to “eat liquids and drink solids.” This means that you need to take water sip by sip, and “chew” it in the mouth in order to mix with the saliva. Avoid regular use of straws for drinking water and or fluids. DOES TEMPERATURE OF THE DRINKING WATER AFFECT HEALTH' Cold water from natural sources is fit for drinking because of six main reasons. 1. Lowers the body temperature 2. Dilutes the blood to the required consistency. 3. Promotes excretion of poisons from the skin in the form of “evaporation”. 4. Stimulates the normal functions of the kidneys and therefore increases the rate of removal of “poisons” from the body through the urine. 5. Increases movements of the intestines, thus facilitating formation and passing of soft stools. Sipping hot water has several benefits too. For example, as soon as you drink hot water, there is instant stimulation of the inner lining of the stomach and contraction of its blood vessels. Thus, you are less likely to suffer from increased acid secretions in the stomach. HYDROTHERAPY Hydrotherapy is a branch of healing systems that deals with the management of diseases such as headache, constipation, high blood pressure, etc. by using water, either as an external application or taken internally or both.