Water is a magical substance that helps give and sustain life, but it also has a host of healing powers you may not be aware of. Of course, most people know that drinking water helps keep the body healthy and hydrated, but there are times when water can actually have a healing effect on the body. Certain conditions that might impact your physical and mental health can be improved or even healed with water.
Water can help heal ailments in everyone, from babies to adults. Here’s what it can do.
1. Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a painful condition that can cause your baby or toddler to cry, be cranky, or have trouble sleeping, thanks to the pain and itchiness associated with having a rash in a sensitive area.
You can get rid of a diaper rash fast or stop the pain associated with cramping and constipation, all with the help of water. One of the most common mistakes new parents make is using scented wipes on the area where the diaper rash occurs, which can worsen the rash. Using water helps the area heal and keeps it clean while it is healing.
2. Constipation
Constipation impacts people of all ages, and there are many remedies on the market, including drink powders, diet supplements, and special teas designed to help you stay regular. But one of the best ways to solve this health problem is simply upping your water intake.
A major cause of constipation is a lack of fluids, which allows solid waste to collect and get stuck in your intestines instead of moving through the colon smoothly. Water lubricates the colon, making it easier for waste to pass through the system.
3. Unstable Body Temperature
As your body grows thirsty, you’re experiencing an early sign of dehydration, which has physical and mental symptoms. The physical symptoms can include rising body temperature, headaches, and cramps. If you struggle with constantly feeling overheated or experiencing hot flashes, increasing your water intake can help regulate this and stop you from feeling those intense moments of heat.
4. Stiff or Painful Joints
The tissues that make up your skin and joints are largely composed of water, which brings oxygen to the cells in these areas. Without the right level of hydration and oxygen, they can be harder to bend and manipulate. This can be especially true for athletes or those who engage in a lot of physical activity, people who live in extremely hot climates, and senior citizens.
The joints and muscles of the body need moisture to keep them moving smoothly, which your body can derive from water intake. By lubricating the muscles and joints of the body, you can prevent the stiffness and pain that can occur when you engage in increased physical activity.
5. Kidney Stones
The kidneys are the body’s other cleansing stars. They take care of all matters fluid within the body, cleansing the blood and keeping the fluid balanced by regulating potassium and sodium levels. They also perform the important function of regulating pH the balance of acidity and alkalinity within the body. Any of these areas in imbalance can cause huge problems. After cleansing the blood, the kidneys pass the waste materials into the urinary system for elimination. If the kidneys are overworked, we can get kidney infections, kidney stones and bladder stones. Obviously these are very serious conditions, but on a day-to-day basis we will just feel tired as the body attempts to concentrate on the normal processing of wastes. Kidney stones form over time and only become apparent once they are large enough to be painful. Kidney stones are a collection of the salt and other minerals in your urine, but they can be prevented if you drink a large amount of water. The water helps flush out salt and minerals in your urine, making it impossible for them to collect into a large stone.
When to drink water
There is a technique that will ensure you do drink your full water quota with-out spending your life in the toilet, lying in bed half the night thinking about going to the toilet, staying late at the office until you have downed the remaining 1 liter you forgot to drink during the day, and so on.
- As soon as you get up, drink a glassful of water. This will hydrate you from the night before.
- For breakfast, always drink a mug of hot water and fresh lemon juice to cleanse your system this counts towards your water requirement.
- Every time you go to the toilet, take 8 mouthfuls of water to replace the fluids lost.
- Every time someone offers to make you a cup of tea or coffee, just ask for a cup of hot water or herbal tea.
- Before lunch make sure you drink a glassful of water. This will dampen your appetite and stop you drinking with your food, which decreases absorption of nutrients.
- Before supper, drink another glass of water for the same reason.
- Make sure you have had at least 1.5 liters of water before 6 p.m.
- Visit the toilet before you get into bed, but have your last small glassful before going to sleep, just 4 or 5 mouthfuls.
- Enjoy your deep and restful sleep.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating more water into your diet or using it topically can help with these and many other health conditions. Beyond this, drinking more water is something almost all of us need to do! Be sure to top up regularly and explore the other ways water can benefit your health.