Water Therapy
Water therapy is an adjunctive approach that can be used with almost any other approach.
In most cases, it is found that we are not drinking enough water. Up to seventy percent of the total body weight is due to water. Normally, our daily diet provides about two-third of the body's requirement of water. Some health practitioners suggest that you drink about eight to ten glasses of water every day to meet the remaining one-third of the body's requirement. You may need to drink more water when you are tired, sweating profusely, or when your body has a condition such as cancer.
Some recommend that you should avoid drinking water while eating food, as the water can dilute the digestive juices in the stomach, thus leading to indigestion. They suggest drinking water on empty stomach, a half hour before eating, or a couple hours after eating.
Many recommend the following water cure, including F. Batmanghelidj, M.D., who wrote the book Your Body Cries for Water.
The Water Cure Recipe
Drink 1/2 your body weight of water in ounces, daily. Example 180 lb = 90 oz. of water daily. Divide that into 8 or 10 oz. glasses and that's how many glasses you will need to drink, daily. Use 1/4 tsp. of salt (non-refined ocean or sea salt) for every quart of water you drink. As long as you drink the water and it isn't prohibited by your physician, you should be able to add the salt. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol as they can dehydrate you. Every 6 oz. of caffeine or alcohol requires an additional 10 to 12 oz. of water to re-hydrate you. Many people also suggest starting your day with up 5 or 6 glasses of water and then waiting at least an hour before you eat or drink anything. Be sure to start our slowly and build up to this. You can overdo this if you try to drink too much too quickly and your body isn't used to it.
Others believe it is important to drink water that has not been fluoridated and others suggest you either oxygenate the water you drink or alkalize it. Your own research will help you decide what is best for your situation.