Water: Health and Longevity

November 6, 2021

Entry #503

By Dr. A.K.B Pillai, PhD.,(Columbia University, New York)

Many years ago when I was traveling with my friends in the southern United States, we stopped at a restaurant to eat. When I was eating, some tomato sauce fell on my shirt. I was disturbed. The waiter came to me and said he would take it out easily. He brought a glass of cold water. He dipped a cotton towel in the water, and for a few minutes he tried to erase the tomato sauce from my shirt. To the astonishment of all of us, he could take out most of the tomato sauce. Thereafter, every time I spoil my clothes with some curry sauce, I do the same technique with water to take it out.?

Many people, including myself, did not know the power of water. Of course, we know that not drinking enough water will cause one to dehydrate, which is dangerous.?

To prevent the COVID virus, medical scientists ask people to wash their hands frequently with water and soap. I have heard some people asking “what can water do?” Water can remove germs from the hands. Hands pick up germs very easily.?

It seems that in the agrarian culture of India, the power of water is very well-known. Before Indians touched any food item to eat, they washed their hands with water. They also cleaned their mouths by gargling water several times. Of course, one reason why they washed their hands was because they used their hands to take food and eat. In Euro-American nations they don't usually wash their mouth and hands before or after they eat. Maybe this is because of the cold weather. It also is the reason why they eat food with a fork and knife. Even without the cold weather, the people of East and Southeast Asia used chopsticks to take their food. This may be because it is easy to take the hot food with chopsticks. Finally, I would suggest, whether you use chopsticks or a fork, to clean the mouth and hands with water before and after eating. Many of us also use toothpicks to take out the leftovers of food between our teeth. Medical science has established that the leftover food particles create plaque and toxins, which will negatively affect the whole body, including the brain and the heart. Dentists recommend washing the mouth and using a toothpick at least twice a day. Similarly, cleaning the mouth and teeth with water will help. It is very important to teach children the medical benefits of the use of water. It seems that water will not harm, and one can even clean a wound with it. After surgery of some external parts of the body, some surgeons recommend for the patient to simply wash the part with soap and water twice a day. Of course, they have used antibiotics, generally and externally, before and during surgery.?

There are many other uses medically for water. Taking a shower, for example, is a daily energizing ritual. Sitting in water above the waist in the bathtub is curative to many diseases.?

Let us keep our waters clean and in abundance.?