The Surprisingly Easy Hot Water Cure

I recently had the pleasure of attending a talk with Dr. John Douillard, an Ayurvedic doctor based in Colorado. He taught us a simple, amazing technique to cut food cravings and clear a congested lymphatic system—how? With hot water, simple as that.

How To Clear A Congested Lymphatic System

Dr. Douillard teaches that one way to clear a congested lymphatic system is by sipping plain old hot water every 10 minutes for two weeks. You should sip half of your body weight in ounces per day (so 70 ounces for a 140-pound person). By boiling the water, you get rid of dissolved mineral solids, making the water more absorbable for your cells. Boiling makes the molecules very active, so the heated water is more cleansing than cold water. Hot water also creates vaso-dilation, which means that your pores and tissues open and circulation and hydration improve. When you first start sipping hot water, you may notice that you crave it. This is a sure sign that your body is dehydrated. Other people who attended Dr. Douillard’s talk reported that their cold disappeared, they stopped snacking between meals, and even felt calmer and more energized.

What’s So Terrible About Congestion (Other Than The Obvious)?

The lymphatic system is part of our body’s waste removal system, and its job is to flush free radicals (which are produced by stress), toxins, and impurities from the body. When our lymphatic system is clogged, these toxins get trapped, which can lead to a host of problems including: water retention, sore throat, allergies, bloating, belly fat, hip or thigh fat, fatigue, and thyroid issues. Not good!

A Cold Weather Cure

During these cold winter months, I have found sipping hot water to be incredibly soothing and warming. Cravings for sweets and caffeine have diminished. And even better, it keeps me hydrated during dry winter days.  

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