Kitchen Medicine

Water has an amazing ability to calm us down. I remember being a young mother and I received some advice that stuck with me. This mother mentioned that whenever her child is upset, having a bad day or agitated she gave her baby a bath or did something in water. I did this over and over and you know what?? It works!!

Historically water therapy or "hydrotherapy" was used to "cure" all sorts of ailments. In fact this therapy continues into modern world with constitutional hydrotherapy- which is a therapy that alternates hot and cold water applications to the chest and back. This helps regulate the parasympathetic "rest and digest" and sympathetic "flight or fight" response to the nervous system regulate between each other.

Here is a quick way you can do this from home:

1. At the end of your morning shower spend the last 2 mins alternating hot water and cold water. Ex: hot for 20 sec, cold for 10, hot for 20 sec, cold for 10 and repeat 3-4 times always ending on cold. This will increase circulation, help your body wake up and start your day on the right foot!

Additionally don't forget that water makes up a majority of our body. So drinking adequate water each day is crucial for health.

Drink 1/2 body weight in water per day. Ex: 120 lb individual would drink 60 oz of water

How to make water more appealing

1. Add fruit or veggies to flat or bubbly water

2. Alternate bubbly and flat water- these flavored are all over the place!

3. Herbal teas- as long as these are caffeine free it counts as water! Some of my favorites are tulsi, hibiscus and spearmint

4. Just a touch of juice. Sometimes water just doesn't taste satisfying so adding small amount of juice can jazz up water. Try ratio of 1 part juice 3 parts water. My favorites are the tart juices like cran-raspberry or pomegranate