Hydration
As we become more and more ill we begin to lose touch with our bodies, and one of the first signs of this disconnection is a loss of our sense of thirst. Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj (affectionately know as Dr. Batman) linked dehydration to the cause of a variety of diseases, including depression. He believed that, “People are most likely not sick, they’re only thirsty.”
When the Iranian Revolution broke out in 1979 he was arrested and sent to prison as a political prisoner. One night he was asked to treat a fellow prisoner with crippling peptic ulcer pain. Not having any medicine at his disposal, all he could do was give the prisoner some water to drink.
Within a few minutes the pain disappeared. The prisoner was instructed to drink two glasses of water every three hours and became absolutely pain free for his remaining time in prison. "That woke me up, because in medical school I’d never heard that water could cure pain, that kind of pain, in fact.” Dr. Batmanghelidj went on to treat over 3,000 fellow prisoners suffering from severe pain. After his release from prison in 1982, he continued his research on the effects of chronic dehydration on the human body.
In his book, Your Body’s Many Cries For Water he explains in detail the physiology of dehydration and how this causes specific illnesses. In the chapter on anxiety and depression he explains that the body uses water to generate energy. When the body is dehydrated its capacity to generate energy decreases. To counter this the body mobilizes hormones to mop up its last water reserves.
Unfortunately the hormones required for this task are stress hormones such as vasopressin and cortisone. It is the elevated levels of these stress hormones in the blood that aggravates the emotions. Of course simply drinking water is not a magic cure for depression, but it can increase your energy levels, reduce stress, and is an important first step to take in listening to the wisdom of your body.
Dehydration Test
Ideally we should drink as much water as the body needs, but this varies from person to person depending on factors such as body weight, climate, diet and the quantity of physical exercise. Below are a few simple tests you can do to see if you are dehydrated.
The Pee Test
Observe the color of your pee over the course of a day. Clear is good, slightly yellow is okay, yellow is dehydrated and orange means you need to drink water immediately.
The Skin Test
Pinch about a centimeter of the skin on the back of your hand between the wrist and the beginning of the fingers. The skin should snap back into place in less than a second after you release it. If it takes longer, or doesn’t snap back at all, you are you are most likely dehydrated. Skin naturally loses some of its elasticity with age so if you are over 50 allow for an extra second.
The Capillary Test
With your finger apply pressure to a fingernail for 5 seconds. Release the pressure and observe the time it takes for the color to return to normal. If it takes longer than 1 second you may be dehydrated.
The Mouth Test
Observe your lips. If they are chapped it might mean you are dehydrated. Notice your saliva. If it is thick and stringy you could be in need of water.
Signs
If you have one or more of following symptoms it could mean that you are chronically dehyrdated: dry or chapped skin, muscle cramps, chronic constipation, constant fatigue, ongoing muscle weakness, and frequent headaches.
Mental Exercise
This exercise will help you reconnect with your sense of thirst. Get a glass of water or another beverage and find a quiet and comfortable place to sit.
The Glass
Observe the glass of water you are holding in your hand. Notice its weight, temperature, and color. Is the water clear? What happens when you swirl it around?
Your Lips
Lick your lips. Run your tongue over your lips. Are they cracked, dry, soft, or moist? What other sensations do you feel?
Your Mouth
Turn your attention to the inside of your mouth. Explore the mouth with your tongue. What textures do you sense? How about your saliva? Is it thick or watery? How much saliva is there?
Your Throat
Next move you consciousness down to your throat. Really concentrate. Swallow and with your mind follow the path of the saliva as it goes down your throat.
The Water
Take a small sip of water. Don’t swallow yet; just spend some time concentrating on how it feels in your mouth. Notice its temperature. What does it taste like? Fix your mind on the sensations just released into your mouth.
Swallow
Notice the sounds you make as you swallow the water and it goes down your throat.
The Difference
Drink the rest of the water. Drink a second or third glass if you still feel thirsty. Turn your attention to your lips, mouth and throat. What has changed? What differences did you notice between when you were thirsty and quenched.
Other Beverages
Try this exercise with other beverages you usually drink. Which one quenches your thirst the most. Are there any drinks that make you feel worse?
Minerals
Being hydrated is not only about water but about minerals too. Minerals, or electrolytes, are what water depends on for proper absorption. Without these minerals you can drink water all day long but it won’t be properly assimilated into your body.
According to Dr. Batmanghelidj our bodies maintain a very fine pH-balance, meaning the ratio of acidity to alkalinity inside the cells. When this balance swings towards the acidic side we become vulnerable to pain, anxiety and depression. To correct for this he suggested adding a pinch of salt to your water. Keep in mind that not all salts are equal: table salt only contains sodium chloride, while unrefined sea or mountain salt is rich in the essential minerals the body needs. Water is certainly the best beverage when it comes to quenching your thirst but there are a few other beverages that are almost as good.
Milk
Milk is actually great for rehydration because it contains a natural blend of good quality carbs, proteins, and minerals. You can experiment with various milkshakes and smoothies or even opt for buttermilk or lassi made with yogurt.
Lassi recipe
1 cup yogurt
1/4 cup milk or water
1 teaspoon of something sweet
1 pinch of spice such as cinnamon or cardamom
Add all the ingredients together and then whisk until smooth
Broth is an excellent source vitamins, minerals, and amino acids and is a great way to ensure proper hydration. It’s a wonderful savory and warming drink for winter.
Rice Water
In India rice water is know as Kanji Water and according to Ayurvedic Medicine has several benefits: Kanji helps regulate body temperature and delivers instant energy, especially when the body is dehydrated or depleted from illness. It is beneficial for stomach issues like bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Rice water is also very good for the skin and hair.
How to Make Rice Water
1 part rice
14 parts water
Uncooked: First rinse the rice to get rid of any impurities. Let the rice soak for 10 to 15 minutes. To help release the vitamins and minerals swirl the rice around until the water turns cloudy. Let it soak for 20 minutes and then drain it. The advantage of this method is that it quick and simple and you can then cook your rice as you prefer, however the nutrients won’t be absorbed as effectively as with the other methods.
Cooked: Rinse the rice, and then boil it for about an hour. Strain out the rice and let it cool. The vivid white water that is left over will contain a high concentration of nutrients. The leftover rice itself will be very soggy so I suggest using it to make a delicious rice congee.
Fermented: Rinse the rice and then soak it for 20 minutes. Strain out the rice water into a clean bowl and cover it with a cloth. Leave it at room temperature until it turns slightly sour. This will take 24 to 48 hours depending on how warm the weather is. Fermented rice water is very potent so dilute it with a cup of warm water before use.
Drinkable Kanji: Cook a cup full of rice in three to four cups of water. Once the rice is half-cooked, strain the liquid. To this liquid, add some salt or sugar to taste. Drink while warm.
Other Grains
Barley Water
Barley water is one of the most time-honored hydrating drinks, used in both Ayurveda and traditional European medicine. It contains beta-glucans, magnesium, potassium, and selenium. It’s slightly cooling, gently diuretic, and helps flush toxins while still providing minerals to balance water loss — a kind of cleansing hydration.
Oat Water
Soaking or simmering oats in water creates a drink high in soluble fiber (beta-glucans), B vitamins, and minerals like magnesium. Oat water is soothing to the gut and balances blood sugar, which makes it hydrating in a sustained, gentle way.
Corn water
The liquid from cooking maize) has long been used in Latin America as a hydrating tonic.
Electrolyte Drinks
Hydration is not just about water volume: it’s about absorption. Minerals, or electrolytes, are essential for water to enter and remain in the cells. Without them, you can drink water all day but still feel depleted.
A simple step is to add a pinch of unrefined sea salt or Himalayan salt to your water. Unlike table salt, which is only sodium chloride, natural salts contain magnesium, calcium, potassium, and trace minerals that help maintain pH balance and energy production.
Electrolyte drinks are commercially available but many of them contain several questionable ingredients. Making your own is easy, fast, and much healthier. There is a googolplex of recipes on the Internet but here is the basic formula. Play around and have fun.
2 cups of water
A pinch of salt
A spoon of something sweet such as honey, sugar, or syrup
A half-cup of something tangy such as juice, vinegar or tea
Mix all the ingredients together and stir until combined.
Healthy Salts
Himalayan Pink Salt
This salt is mined from ancient sea beds in Pakistan and is considered one of the purest salts in the world. It contains over 80 trace minerals, and its distinctive pink hue comes from natural iron content. With a mild flavor, it works well both in cooking and even as a pinch added to drinking water for hydration.
Okinawan Sea Salt
Harvested from the mineral-rich waters around Okinawa, this salt is especially high in magnesium and potassium, two minerals essential for cellular hydration. It has been traditionally associated with the longevity of the Okinawan people and carries a clean, slightly sweet taste.
Celtic Sea Salt
Also known as sel gris or “grey salt,” this variety is collected from tidal ponds along the coast of Brittany in France. It retains natural moisture and is rich in magnesium and other trace minerals. Its briny, oceanic flavor makes it a favorite in natural health circles.
Hawaiian Red Alaea Salt
This unrefined sea salt is mixed with volcanic red clay, giving it a distinctive earthy color and taste. The red clay enriches the salt with iron oxide, which contributes to both its striking appearance and its mineral benefits. Traditionally, it was used in Hawaiian ceremonies as well as in everyday cooking.
Black Lava Salt
Originating from Hawaii or Iceland, this sea salt is blended with activated charcoal, which gives it its deep black color and subtle smoky flavor. Beyond its taste, the activated charcoal is thought to have detoxifying qualities. Because of its intensity, it is best used sparingly as a finishing salt.
Bolivian Rose Salt
Found high in the Andes mountains, this salt resembles Himalayan salt in its mineral composition but is usually a softer shade of pink. It offers a delicate flavor and brings a wide spectrum of trace minerals to food and water.
Persian Blue Salt
A rare and visually striking salt, Persian blue salt comes from ancient rock deposits in Iran. Its unusual blue crystals are the result of potassium-rich sylvite. This salt has a unique flavor profile: salty at first, with a slightly sweet aftertaste.
Dead Sea Salt
Exceptionally high in magnesium, calcium, and potassium, Dead Sea salt has been used for centuries to soothe skin conditions and promote relaxation. While it is typically used in baths rather than consumed, it remains one of the most mineral-dense natural salts on earth.
Cell Salts
If salt works for dehydration, why not try cell salts or tissue salts developed by Dr. Wilhelm Schüßler? They are especially relevant for hydration because they work at the cellular level, improving how water and minerals are absorbed and retained. Here are the most important ones for hydration:
Natrum Muriaticum
This is the most important salt for hydration. It regulates how water is distributed throughout the body and prevents both excessive dryness and fluid retention. When deficient, you may experience dry skin, dry mouth, headaches, or an unquenchable thirst that never feels satisfied.
Natrum Sulphuricum
Nat Sulph helps the body eliminate excess water and supports detoxification. It prevents water from stagnating in tissues, which can lead to bloating or swelling. It is especially useful when the body tends to hold onto water in the wrong places.
Natrum Phosphoricum
This salt is key for maintaining the body’s acid–alkaline balance. When the body becomes too acidic, water cannot be used effectively at the cellular level. Nat Phos supports hydration by creating the right environment for water absorption, often relieving digestive issues linked to acidity.
Kali Phosphoricum
Kali Phos nourishes the nervous system and replenishes nerve energy, which can become depleted when the body is dehydrated. It helps ease fatigue, brain fog, and irritability that often accompany poor hydration, restoring a sense of calm and vitality.
Kali Muriaticum
This salt regulates the lymphatic system and supports healthy fluid movement in the body. It is especially helpful when secretions become thick, sticky, or sluggish, such as mucus or saliva, indicating that water is not circulating properly.
Silicea
Silicea strengthens the body’s connective tissues, helping it hold water where it is needed most. A deficiency often shows up as dry hair, brittle nails, or rough, dehydrated skin. By improving structural hydration, Silicea enhances the body’s ability to stay moisturized and resilient.
I’m Dr. Rodger Douglas, DMH, a South African-born homeopath now based in Osaka, Japan. With a psychology degree from Nelson Mandela University and a diploma from the Hahnemann College of Heilkunst, I specialize in holistic care for fibromyalgia. I serve clients by phone or video across the US, Canada, the UK, and beyond, shipping remedies directly from Japan.