Earthen pitchers choice of health-conscious

Minna Zutshi
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 8

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With heatwave intensifying, earthen pitchers are making a comeback in the city. Once called a poor man’s refrigerator, now these pitchers are the choice of the health-conscious individuals. “I switched over to earthen pitcher last summer. My son used to suffer from sore throat every time he consumed cold, refrigerated water. But ever since we started using earthen pitcher for storing water, my son’s problem is on the wane,” says Sandhya, 34-year-old homemaker.

Medical experts say that pitchers have been a part and parcel of Ayurveda. “A majority of the Ayurvedic preparations were recommended to be prepared in earthen pots,” says a city-based Ayurveda consultant, Dr Gauhar Vatsyayan.

According to the Ayurveda expert, earthen clay maintains the alkalinity of water. “Now it has been clearly established that cancer cells precipitate in acidic environment. Water used from clay pots promotes alkalinity and maintains the health of individual,” explains Dr Vatsyayan.

Ayurveda also states that water stored in earthen pitchers improves digestion. “Whenever I drink water stored in pitchers, my digestive system works better,” avers Nirmal Joshi, a senior citizen. Perhaps, the refrigerated water affects negatively the process of digestion, she adds. Another senior citizen Tripta gives a fresh and interesting perspective on the use of earthen pitchers. “Fetching water from refrigerator is dry, mechanical and sans any feeling. But filling a pitcher with water every night is like being in communion with the elements of nature. It is a satisfying ritual,” she says.

Experts suggest that water stored in earthen pitchers has a cooling effect. The pitchers should be thoroughly washed before storing water in them. The water stored in a new pitcher for the first time should not be consumed – the water becomes drinkable only when the pitcher is refilled with fresh water.