Effect of Ayurveda water purification method on total dissolved solutes in water

BACKGROUND: Water is vital for life as the body uses water in all its cells and tissues to maintain vital functions. Hence, water used for drinking should be free from all types of impurities. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned various water purification methods by keeping it in different types of vessels (silver, copper, and clay) and by adding herbs such as Kataka Beeja (seeds Strychnos potatorum Linn.). With urbanization, there are changes in the lifestyle of individuals and their food habits. Therefore, based on the ease of availability of materials, storage of water needs to be analyzed by simple parameters such as total dissolved solutes (TDS) that comprises inorganic salts such as bicarbonates, sulfates, and chlorides and a small amount of organic matter that is dissolved in water. A high level of TDS indicates water is unfit for consumption and may lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc., TDS level indicates whether water is suitable for consumption or it requires filtration. AIM: To evaluate and compare the TDS of water kept for 24 h in different vessels made up of silver, copper, clay, plastic, and steel and further with the addition of different herbs like Kataka seeds, Tulsi leaves (Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn.), Nimba leaves (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) separately in different vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of different materials used for storage of water was assessed by evaluating TDS in water samples with the help of a well-calibrated TDS meter, on stored water (100 ml) in different types of vessels (silver, copper, clay, plastic, and steel) and further with the addition of different herbs (10 g) Kataka seeds, Tulsi leaves and Nimba leaves individually and separately, by keeping undisturbed for 24 h. RESULTS: TDS values of the water samples kept for 24 h in different vessels, i.e., silver, copper, plastic, steel, and clay are 372, 429, 436, 445, 628 ppm, respectively, were found. CONCLUSION: The silver vessel was found to be best in decreasing the TDS value of water among vessels. On evaluating additional effects by adding different herbs, Nimba showed its action best among the storage vessels.