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www.wjpr.net Vol 8, Issue 3, 2019.
Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
USHNODAK OR SHITODAK WHICH IS MORE BENEFICIAL?
Dr. Santosh T. Kadam1*, Dr. Rupesh P. Pagare1 and Dr. Ashalata D. Pawar2
1PG Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna, R.A.Podar Medical College (Ayu), Mumbai
400018.
2Associate Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, R.A.Podar Medical College (Ayu),
Mumbai 400018.
ABTRACT
The average adult human body is 50-65% water, averaging around 57-
60%. The ancient science of medicine considered water (Jala) as life
(Jeevanashrayan) for everyone. It is believed that the water possesses
ability to treat various diseases and this water therapy established as
important non-invasive therapy in medical field.The ancient literature
of ayurveda explored importance of water along with property. Water
is not essential for physiological reasons but also necessary to perform
daily routine work. Ayurveda classified water as per various means
and signifies role of each type of water for human being. But there is
always a question arises which type of water i.e. ushnodak (warm
water) or shitodak (cold water) is beneficial to healthy life. This article
summarizes traditional percepective of ushnodak and shitodak, also which is more beneficial
to healthy life as per Ancient system of Ayurveda.
KEYWORDS: Water, ushnodak, shitodak, Ayurveda.
INTRODUCTION
Water is essential for all living system and basis of life; the existence of world can’t be
possible without water. The traditional text of ayurveda mentioned the importance of water.
The historical text also believed that the civilizations started around the water sources.
A³ÉmÉÉlÉå xÉÍsÉsÉqÉåuÉ ´Éå¸qÉç |
xÉuÉïUxÉrÉÉåÌlÉiuÉÉiÉç | xÉuÉïpÉÔiÉxÉÉiqrÉÉ‹ÏuÉlÉÉÌS aÉÑhÉrÉÉåaÉÉŠ | - uÉÉapÉOû
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
SJIF Impact Factor 8.074
Volume 8, Issue 3, XXX-XXX. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105
Article Received on
05 Jan. 2019,
Revised on 26 Jan. 2019,
Accepted on 17 Feb. 2019
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20193-14343
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Santosh T. Kadam
PG Scholar, Department of
Dravyaguna, R.A.Podar
Medical College (Ayu),
Mumbai 400018.
Drsantosh231@gmail.com
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Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
As per modern science, the average adult human body is 50-65% water, averaging around
57-60%. Water perform various vital functions act as solvent for ions, mineralization of
organic compounds and enzyme activation. Water helps in digestion, elimination of toxins
and transportation. Water considered as Jeeva (life) in ayurveda. Guna of water is Madhura,
Sheetala and Ruchikaraka. As per ayurveda water help in Daha (thirst), Bhrama (giddiness),
Nidra (sleepy feeling), Visha-vyadhi(toxins), Bala (strength), Veerya (potency: ability to
function), Pushti (energy). Ayurveda described importance of purified water and traditional
text chikitsa granth has mentioned various therapeutic roles of water and purification
techniques of impure water while nighantus explained types of water, their properties and
actions. The investigation on water therapy is on progress by various researchers and recently
many researchers explored the various aspects of water and water therapy.
In Ayurveda, an incredibly important concept is agni (your digestive fire). Agni is the
transformative power in the body—digesting food, thought, and emotions. It is hot, sharp,
light, subtle, luminous, and clear. Let me repeat, agni is hot. Ayurveda’s principle of ―like
increases like, and treat with the opposite‖ explains, then, that the ice cold water will decrease
the strength of your agni. Likewise, if you want to augment agni, you will probably want to
drink hot water or hot teas.
There was a small but interesting study done in the 1980’s, where they measured how long it
took the stomach to empty its contents when the individual drank cold (39°F), room
temperature (98°F), or warm (122°F) orange juice. They found that the stomach temperature
dropped after drinking the cold juice and it took nearly 20–30 minutes to return back to
normal temperature. They also found that the cold drinks increased the emptying time.1 The
agni had to work harder to maintain its proper energetics so that it could digest properly.
What we are avoiding by maintaining a strong agni is the production of ama (toxic, metabolic
wastes). When foodstuff sits undigested in your trashcan, it ferments. A similar process can
occur in the gastrointestinal tract. For more information on the importance of agni and ama
and how to care for each, read our guides, The Importance of Agni and Ama: The Antithesis
of Agni.
SHITODAK ( Cold water) =
zÉÏiÉÇ qÉSÉirÉrÉasÉÉÌlÉqÉÑcNûÉïcNïÌSï´ÉqÉpÉëqÉÉlÉç |
iÉ×whÉÉåwhÉSÉWû ÌmɨÉÉxÉ×ÎauÉwÉÉÍhÉ cÉç ÌlÉWûÎliÉ iÉiÉç |
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Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
- A.xÉÇ. xÉÔ. 6/41
According to vaghbhat; Shitodak (Cold water) is useful in madataya ( alcoholic intoxication),
glani (tiredness), murchchha (fainting), vaman (vomiting), shram, bhram (vertigo), trushna
(thirst), daha (burning sensation), raktpitt (bleeding disorder), and vish (poision).
In excess amount of cold water may cause pitta and kapha vitiation, nidra (sleepiness), tandra
(hallucinations), aadhman (flatulence), gaurav (heaviness), shvas (breathing problem), kasa
(coughing), agnimandya (dyspepsia), hrullas (nausea), pinas (rhinitis) etc.
| ||||
||||
- . .- .
According to sushruta ; Shitodak is useful in murchha (fainting), pitta-ushna-daha (pitta
vitiation,burning sensation), vish (poison), rakte (bleeding disorder), madataya ( alcoholic
intoxication), bhram ( hallucinations), klam (tiredness), tamak (asthma), vaman ( vomiting),
urdhvag raktpitta ( upper system bleeidn disorder).
||||
| ||||
- . .-
Shitodak contraindicated in parshvashul (chest pain), pratishyay ( rhinitis), vatarog ( vata
disorder), galagraha (obstruction in throat ), adhman (flatulence), stimit koshth (stiffened
bowels), sadya shudhh, navajvare (recent fever), hikka (hiccup), sehapit.
USHNODAK (Warm water)
A¹qÉålÉÉÇzÉåwÉåhÉ cÉiÉÑjÉåïlÉÉkSïMåülÉ uÉÉ | AjÉuÉÉ YuÉjÉlÉålÉæuÉ ÍxÉkSqÉÑwhÉÉåSMÇü uÉSåiÉç |
AxrÉ aÉÑhÉÉ : | xÉSÉ mÉjrÉiuÉqÉç | MüÉxÉeuÉUÌuÉoÉlkÉMüÄTüuÉÉiÉqÉqÉåSÉålÉÉÍzÉiuÉqÉç |
ÌSmÉlÉiuÉqÉç uÉÎliÉzÉÉåkÉlÉiuÉ¶É | zsÉåwqÉÉqÉuÉÉiÉqÉåSÉåblÉ oÉÎxiÉzÉÉåkÉlÉÌSmÉlÉqÉç |
MüÉxɵÉÉxÉeuÉUÉlÉç WûÎliÉ mÉÏiÉqÉÑwhÉÉåSMÇü ÌlÉÍzÉ |
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Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
- pÉÉ. mÉë. mÉë. ZÉhQû
Hot (warm) water stimulates hunger, helps digestion, good for the throat, easily digestable,
cleanses the urinary bladder, relieves hiccup, flatulence, aggravation of anila (vata) and
slesma (kapha); is ideal on the days of purifictory therapy and for those suffering from
nascent fevers, cough, ama (accumulation of undigested materials), running in the nose, and
pain in the flanks.
Water which has been boiled and then cooled is not going to increase the moisture inside the
body, too much is easily digestable and ideal for the dosãs associated with pitta. Water which
has beei kept overnight (so become static) causes (aggravation of) all the three dosãs.
||||
||
||||
||
-- . .- .
Hot water is kaphamedoanilaghnam (removes kapha, medas, vata and ama), Deepanam
stimulates digestive fire), Bastishodhanam (cleanses urinary bladder), Shwas kasa, Jwar
haram (alleviates dyspnoea, Cough and fever) and as such is Pathyam (always wholesome).
, |
, , , ,
;
, , ||||
- . .- .
According to acharya charak, for digestion use warm water. Warm water also useful in vata-
pitta anuloman, ignites agni, digestion, kapha shoshan. In small amount ushnodak satisfy
thirst. Shitodak (cold water) is useful in sannipat jvar(fever arises from all three dosha
vitiation), daha(burning sensation), bhram(hallucinations), pralap (irrelevant speaking),
atisar( diarrhea).
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Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
zÉUSÏWû iÉjÉÉ aÉëÏwqÉå YuÉÉjÉå mÉÉSÉuÉzÉåÌwÉiÉqÉ | ÍzÉÍzÉUå cÉ uÉxÉliÉå cÉ MÑürÉÉïSkSÉïuÉzÉåÌwÉiÉqÉç ||
ÌuÉmÉËUiÉqWûiÉÑÇ SØwOèuÉÉ mÉëÉuÉ×wÉÇ uÉÉkSÉïuÉzÉåÌwÉiÉqÉç | YuÉÉjrÉqÉÉlÉ¶É ÌlÉuuÉåïaÉÇ ÌlÉwÄTåülÉÇ ÌlÉqqÉïsÉ¶É rÉiÉç ||
AkSÉïuÉÍzÉ¹Ç pÉuÉÌiÉ iÉSÒwhÉÉåSMüqÉÑcrÉiÉå | iÉiÉç mÉÉSWûÏlÉÇ uÉÉiÉblÉÇ uÉÉkSï ÌmÉiÉÌuÉMüÉUÎeÉiÉç ||
MüTüblÉÇ mÉÉSzÉåwÉliÉÑ mÉÉÌlÉrÉÇ sÉbÉÑ mÉÉcÉlÉqÉç |
- WûÉËUiÉ mÉëjÉqÉ xjÉÉlÉ, AkrÉÉrÉ 7
Water boiled for different duration was recommended to have different benefits. Water
reduced to ¾th after boiling alleviates Vatadosha. Water reduced to half after boiling
alleviates pitta and vatadosha disease conditions. Such water is useful in Hemanta (early
winter), Shishira (late winter), Varsha (rainy season) and Vasantha (spring season).
Water boiled to half its original volume relieves Kapha, meda (fat), vata,Improves jatharagni
(appetite), cleans up urinary tract, and is also useful in Kasa, Shwasa, Jwara, and quenches
thirst. This water is recommended to be administered in Navajvara (fever), Pratishyaya
(cold), Parshvashula (pain over sides), Galagraha (throat problems), after taking purgative,
adhmana (flatulence), vatakapha related problems, Aruchi (anorexia), grahani(colitis), gulma,
shwasa (dyspnoea), kasa(cough), vidradhi (abscess), hikka (hiccup) and after snehapana
(oleation). Water must be boiled to half in Shishira (late winter), Vasanta (spring) and in
Grishma (summer season).
Water reduced to one forth after boiling is light, stimulates power of digestion, constipative,
and alleviates Kapha. It is useful in summer, autumn and early winter (Hemant rutu). It helps
in digestion, Deepana (stimulates appetite), it is Laghu (light) and useful in different types of
fever).
ÌSuÉxÉå YuÉÍjÉiÉÇ iÉÉårÉÇ UɧÉÉæ iÉSè aÉÑÂiÉÉÇ uÉëeÉåiÉç ! UɧÉÉæ mÉÑUiÉliÉÑ ÌSuÉxÉå aÉÑÂiuÉqÉÍkÉaÉcNûÌiÉ !
- WûÉËUiÉ mÉëjÉqÉ xjÉÉlÉ, AkrÉÉrÉ 7
If hot water is taken at night, it clears the adhesion of Kapha, helps in elimination of
Vatadosha and helps to relieve indigestion.
DISCUSSION
Water is the foundation for all living things. Ancient Ayurvedic texts speak about the
importance of this life saving element, and its foundation in our daily health. Without water
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Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
life would perish, but it is with the wisdom of Ayurveda that we can specifically learn the
benefits of drinking boiled water for our well-being.
Boiled water has many benefits for the body, absorbing quicker and easier into our systems
than non-boiled water. When water gets boiled and ignited with heat it becomes more
piercing in nature, creating a more therapeutic effect on the body. According to Ayurveda
regular water assimilates into our system in 6 hours, and boiled water only 3 hours. Boiled
water requires less time and energy to hydrate our organs and tissues, helping our body
function at maximum capacity and with optimal health.
We all drink water, but yet many of our health problems still persist. So what is the secret?
Ayurveda states that sipping hot water throughout the day is the foundation for purifying the
body. It’s easy and simple. Everyone can do it and yet the results are profound. The key is in
repeatedly sipping small quantities of hot water throughout the day, versus drinking large
quantities infrequently. In fact, according to Ayurvedic principles, drinking large quantities of
water at a time actually impairs the digestion because it extinguishes the body’s much needed
digestive fire (called agni). This repetition of imbibing small amounts of hot water during the
day is like a tonic for the body.
Some of the benefits that sipping hot water can bring
1. It clears out toxins (called ama) from the body and rejuvenates all bodily systems.
2. It helps in weight reduction.
3. It boosts digestion.
4. It helps alleviate constipation.
5. It purifies and strengthens the gastrointestinal tract.
6. It flushes the lymphatic system.
7. It softens hardened tissues.
8. It dilates micro channels (called srotas) and deeply hydrates the body.
9. It relieves congestion.
10. It improves blood circulation and blood flow to the tissues.
11. It aids in reducing food cravings between meals.
12. It improves your skin condition.
It’s also vital to be mindful of the temperature of the water that you are drinking. In general,
you should aim to drink room temperature water (or, better yet, lukewarm water) rather than
cold water. The logic for this is the same as that set out above, except that cold water is even
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Kadam et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
more prone to douse the digestive fire that builds up in our stomachs. In particular, cold water
can freeze the enzymes and fluids in your gut, which can prevent your body from properly
digesting food, and which can in turn increase the amount of toxins in your body.
In addition, drinking cold water can cause a contraction of blood vessels, which further
increases the likelihood that toxins will remain inside your body rather than being excreted
through your lymphatic system, which is essentially the network of tissues and organs in your
body that is responsible for getting rid of toxins. The constriction of blood vessels can also
prevent blood from circulating throughout your body, thereby reducing the delivery of
nutrients through your body.
Conversely, drinking room temperature or lukewarm water supports the lymphatic system,
which means that, over time, more toxins will be expelled from the body. In particular,
drinking room temperature or lukewarm water flushes the lymphatic system, helps soften
hardened tissues, dilates, cleanses and hydrates deep tissues, and heals and repairs the
digestive system. Also drinking lukewarm water can be particularly important for women
during menstruation or for couples that are trying to become pregnant.
CONCLUSION
The importance of water for survival of life is undisputed. In Ayurveda, an incredibly
important concept is agni (digestive fire). Agni is the transformative power in the body—
digesting food, thought, and emotions. It is hot, sharp, luminous, and clear. Therefore, It’s
also vital to be mindful of the temperature of the water that you are drinking. In general, you
should aim to drink Ushnodak (lukewarm water) rather than Shitodak (cold water). The logic
for this is the same as that set out above, except that cold water is even more prone to douse
the digestive fire that builds up in our stomachs. In particular, cold water can freeze the
enzymes and fluids in your gut, which can prevent your body from properly digesting food,
and which can in turn increase the amount of toxins in your body. Still there are certain
conditions where use of cold water is beneficial. Rest all situations we should consider use of
warm water for drinking as it has more benefits over unboiled or cold water.
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