19. Water — The First Medicine
Ayurveda devotes whole chapters to water (jala varga). Water is the vehicle of every taste and the medium of digestion. For older adults, whose sense of thirst is weaker, how and when water is offered is as important as any recipe.
| Practice | Classical guidance | Kitchen and lifestyle practice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm water (ushnodaka) | Boiled and cooled to warm, it kindles agni, clears Kapha and Vata, cleanses channels | Flasks of warm water on every table; boiled water cooled to room temperature in summer | |
| Water before, during, after meals | Before: weakens digestion and the body; during: aids digestion (small sips); after: increases Kapha | Small sips of warm water during meals; avoid large glasses just before or after | |
| Cold water | Suppresses agni; aggravates Vata and Kapha | No ice; earthen matka for gentle summer cooling | |
| Copper vessel | Traditional for storing drinking water overnight | Optional; water only — never food, milk or acidic drinks | |
| Herbal waters | Coriander, fennel, cumin, ginger infused | CCF tea, dhaniya water, saunf water by season | |
| Quantity | Drink according to thirst, season and constitution | For older adults: offer 150 ml every hour 10 am–6 pm; 1.5–2 L/day unless restricted |
Signs of dehydration in older guests
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