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Ayurveda and copper, a health story
Ayurvedic medicine has recommended drinking water from copper vessels for millennia. This practice even has a name: Usha Pan, “usha” meaning dawn and “pan” translating to the verb to drink. It is commonly referred to as morning water..
Traditionally, this water must be on an empty stomach and as soon as you wake up. Breakfast should then not be taken for about twenty minutes. This water must have been stored the day before in a copper container at room temperature. It should not have been left for more than 16 hours in the copper container, which should be rubbed daily with a fresh lemon and washed with clean water. It is recommended, in Ayurvedic tradition, to drink 75 cl to 1 liter of this water every day.
In traditional belief, copper has the ability to rebalance the three vital energies of vata, pitta and kapha. It also purifies water and provides many benefits to the body. Western medicine also recognizes copper as a trace element essential for the proper balance of the human body and bone functions.
The antibacterial properties of copper
Several hospitals in France and around the world began, more than 10 years ago, to introduce copper into the most sensitive services such as intensive care or neonatal care. It is used on the surfaces the most manipulated, such as door handles, ramps, switches or faucets. The experiment is conclusive and shows that copper limits the transmission of bacteria and nosocomial diseases.
What are the benefits of water stored in a copper bottle?
Copper is naturally present on earth, in the form of a mineral deposit or as a metal. It is also present in our body, which needs it to function normally. A copper deficiency can cause anemia, skin problems, sleep disturbances, concentration problems or frequent respiratory infections, bone disorders..
Copper is naturally found in food, especially in organ meats such as liver, in certain seafood, crustaceans and molluscs (oysters, lobster, squid, crab, octopus, shrimp), in lentils , chickpeas, kidney beans, walnuts and potatoes.
By remaining in contact with a copper bottle for several hours, the water becomes charged with copper ions which will provide benefits to the body. Our daily needs are low, but nonetheless vital. Copper is essential for the formation of hemoglobin and allows the absorption of iron, which explains the risk of anemia in the event of a deficiency. It participates in the action of many enzymes, and therefore in the metabolisms (the processes of construction and destruction) of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins.
Copper also has powerful antioxidant properties, which help fight skin aging. It also helps in the production of collagen. It is essential in the fight against osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, slows the growth of bacteria and allows the immune system to function properly.
By drinking the water contained for several hours in a copper bottle, your body takes advantage of all the benefits of this trace element, for which there is a risk of deficiency in the same way as magnesium, iodine, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, chromium and molybdenum.
According to ancient Indian Ayurveda, this bottle helps to balance drinking water: the three energies that circulate through the body, the doshas: (element of air) Vata, (element of water) and Kapha and Pitta (element fire).
Ayurvedic medicine recommends drinking drinking water stored in copper containers, as copper is believed to be an anti-microbial, antioxidant, and may also prevent cancer and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
How to use and maintain a copper bottle?
Water should be stored for at least 6-8 hours in the bottle before drinking. To think about it, you can put it at the foot of your bed, which will allow you to fill it before going to bed and to drink a few sips on an empty stomach, as soon as you wake up, as recommended by Ayurvedic medicine.
You can refill it during the day, but always keep in mind that you must leave it for several hours in contact with the copper if you want to reap the full benefits. It is also recommended that you do not drink only water from your copper bottle.
When you receive your bottle, then daily, clean it with a mixture of white vinegar, salt and water, or by squeezing half a lemon to which you will add a tablespoon of salt and a little water. Shake everything, empty and rinse with clean water.
How do you keep the shine of a copper bottle?
Over time, your bottle may oxidize and show dark spots or a dull appearance. Don’t panic, this is a normal reaction of copper. There are several natural solutions to remedy this.
From time to time, you can give your bottle a boost by immersing it in a basin of hot water with a little liquid detergent. When cleaning your bottle, be careful to always use a non-abrasive sponge so as not to scratch the copper, and wipe it clean with a soft cloth. If the bottle is badly stained, you can replace the lye with soda crystals. Leave to soak and rinse with clean water.
You can also mix the juice of one lemon with two tablespoons of baking soda, soak a cloth in this mixture and gently rub the bottle, then wipe it up and shine it with another soft cloth.
Alternatively, prepare a cleansing paste by mixing the juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of flour and one tablespoon of fine salt. Apply this paste to the bottle with a cloth, leave to act for a few minutes, rinse and wipe with a clean cloth.
If the bottle isn’t stained, but just needs a little sprucing up, you can simply wipe it down with a sheet of newspaper.
Your copper bottle can also be used as a tabletop bottle. It will bring a touch of oriental decoration that your guests will appreciate!