“Water-based Medicine”

It’s both an interesting and amusing question, is water a medicinal herb? A medicinal herb is any plant including trees, shrubs, algae, and fungi of which the whole or part (leaf, stem, flower, fruit, seed, bark, root, sap, or resin) has medicinal properties.

When we explore medicinal herbs across a variety of traditions, we also see a reliance on minerals and animal products in many forms.

Given this broad reach, I would like to suggest that water itself be considered more than a medium for extraction. If you find calling ita medicinal difficult to accept, then let’s agree to talk about, “water-based medicine”.

Water

Estimates of percentages vary but regardless of a precise number, water is essential to our immune function and our overall health and wellness.

Water makes up most of our body weight and helps deliver oxygen around the body. It helps keep our mouths moist as well as other mucosal membranes. Yes, dry eyes, dry noses, itchy ears, vaginas and bums can all be affected by being well hydrated.

Being well hydrated is critical to regulating body temperature and lubricating our joints. Stiff joints can be improved greatly by being well hydrated.

Being hydrated supports brain function and digestion, aids in the production of neurotransmitters and the absorption of nutrients. Being well hydrated promotes healthy skin, hair and nails.

During the colder months, when we’re perhaps spending more time indoors, often in drier environments, paying close attention to our hydration levels can help to ensure our mucus membranes stay moist.

A well hydrated body supports more robust immune health. I can’t say that often enough!

Dehydrated?

Think of the grapes and plums. When they dry out and shrivel up, they become raisins and prunes. Well, that’s what happens when we fail to get enough fluids.

We can become dehydrated by losing too many fluids (think sweating, vomiting or persistent diarrhea), not drinking enough fluids, or both.

What’s more, as we age, it becomes harder and harder to hold onto fluids in our bodies and dehydration can occur more quickly.

How do we know if we’re dehydrated?

A few symptoms that can serve as indicators, include:

~ dark colored urine: when we’re hydrated our urine is usually a pale yellow, often odorless. Color can be affected by many factors such as vitamins, pharmaceuticals and even eating beets!

~ constipation or small, hard stools: a healthy frequency for bowel movements is 1-2 times a day. Some people don’t realize that constipation is an issue if they move their bowels 1-2 times a week.

Small stools look very similar to rabbit droppings. Straining while having a bowel movement often means a stool is too hard.

Being well hydrated helps to provide the lubrication needed to move feces through the digestive tract.

~ UTIs are Urinary Tract Infections. They can be accompanied by any array of symptoms including peeing frequently; pain or discomfort while peeing; a decline in urine output; cloudy or smelly urine or feeling lethargic or unwell.

~ Other symptoms of being dehydrated can include headache, confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing, a faster than normal heart rate and, yes, wait for it …

~ a classic symptom of dehydration that I regularly see in my practice is the absence of thirst.

It’s important to remember that not all of these symptoms need occur together.

A quick way to see if we’re hydrated is to pinch the skin on the back of a hand. If hydrated, our skin will be elastic and bounce back immediately after pinching, regardless of our age.

Years ago …

I was hiking in Arizona’s Sonoran desert with a friend. We lost our way. Our water ran out quickly, even restricting ourselves to small sips. We were lost for several hours. We even passed a water source and didn’t think to fill our water jugs, a sign we were confused. We were tired, muscles were cramping and never did we both dare to sit down at the same time. We took turns taking 20 steps, the other sitting to rest.

While this was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience, it was truly unsettling to see how quickly symptoms of dehydration could set it. If I recall correctly, it took about two days to recover, “pushing fluids” all the while.

Focusing on hydration, at any age, is key.

But how?

Here’s a simple guide. Daily, we each need about half our body weight, in ounces, as a healthy fluid intake volume. If someone weighs 50 lbs, their target fluid intake would be 25 oz of water, herbal teas etc. With a weight of 100 lbs, the target 50 oz; if 150 lbs, then 75 oz. A 100 oz target would be terrific for someone weighing 200 lbs, while a 300 lb person would strive to imbibe 150 fluid ounces daily.

Some healthcare providers suggest, e.g., that if someone drinks a coffee (10 oz) and two beers (24 oz), they also need to increase their daily target of hydrating beverages by an equal volume (34 oz) to offset the dehydrating effects of coffee and beer beverages.

Some people may be advised by a healthcare provider to limit fluids. This is by far the exception, not the rule.

Set a daily target

Find a vessel, a mug, a to-go cup, a water bottle. Measure its size and calculate just how many times you need to fill it to meet a daily target. Approach targets slowly and congratulate yourself each day you reach your goal! It’s important.

Hydration drinks

Water heads the list. Additionally, we can generally look to herbal teas, infused water, coconut water, soup and bone broth, thin cereals like porridge, natural juices [without added sugars], fruits and vegetables (think watermelons, cucumbers, strawberries, for example). Variety is key.

Often, it is simplest to start with liquids.

Avoid or limit alcohol and caffeinated drinks (e.g., sodas, teas, coffees) as these are dehydrating. Even energy drinks, while advertised exquisitely, can be dehydrating due to their caffeine content.

We do not need commercial drinks to rehydrate ourselves.

In extreme situations, like after being lost in a desert, I would have benefited immensely from a very simple solution of molasses/raw sugar/sugar and salt. This recipe provides necessary potassium. In a liter of water add:

½ a level teaspoon of salt

8 level teaspoons of sugar or molasses or raw sugar

½ cup of fruit juice, coconut water or a mashed banana

This recipe is to be sipped frequently and not gulped down all at once. An adult may need three liters of this blend, a child perhaps one.

Do tell …

Maybe you’re curious as to just how I alight on topics for my Journal Notes. Through my practice with clients.

With a focus on hydration this week I learned that whether the impetus is curing a hangover, improving skin tone or, oh yes, becoming hydrated, one can always turn to IV therapy for “Rehydration Support”. It’s a huge, real thing.

Frankly, while a helpful intervention in extremis, I’d prefer a cuppa. How about you?

November 27 2023