Anyone who has attended seminars with Som and me, or even traveled with us to India, knows: we don’t start a day without lemon water! I’d like to use today’s blog post to share some background information and encourage you to give it a try yourself.
A simple recipe with so many benefits
Here’s the idea: drink a large glass of warm water with lemon juice on an empty stomach, ideally right after waking up. I’ve made it a habit, and I really miss it if I can’t have it. You can even take it up a notch by adding a teaspoon of honey and a bit of ginger.
The first major benefit is that you rehydrate your body after the night. You're replenishing your cells with water, helping your body start the day well. Our body absorbs water most effectively until early afternoon, which is connected to our acid-base balance and the phase the body is in. Ideally, we should consume the majority of our water intake by early afternoon. After that, drinking mainly quenches thirst, but it doesn’t support hydration as much as it does earlier in the day. By starting with a large glass of water, you’ve already taken a good step towards your daily water intake goal. You’ll also notice it wakes you up instantly!
At the same time, you’re flushing out toxins that your body produces overnight in rest mode. The lemon, with its alkaline qualities, helps balance the body’s pH level. Ginger stimulates metabolism and aids digestion, while honey gives you a little energy boost in the morning and, along with the lemon and warm water, can even help regulate your weight. Why? The glass of water should be drunk quickly, ideally all at once. It’s important to be sitting while you do this — the Indian squat position is even better. This allows the water to pass through your entire digestive tract effectively. You can enhance the effect with a few simple exercises.
If you do this for several days in a row, you’ll notice you start to have a bowel movement in the morning, which is exactly what we’re aiming for. By now, many people are aware of the important role the gut plays in overall health, thanks to numerous books and guides published in recent years. Ayurveda has followed this concept for centuries, always considering digestive health during diagnosis. A regular, morning bowel movement is essential for good health. In yoga, we usually don’t begin our practice until after this happens. If it doesn’t, you’ll know something in your body is off balance. In that case, it’s time to listen closely and investigate where the issue might be.
The extended version for home
I found a recipe for "ginger-lemon shots" on Instagram, and I think it’s a brilliant idea! Whenever I have the time, I prepare the shots for the week. Not that it’s difficult to squeeze a lemon ;-) but this way, I also have the ginger mixed in and everything ready to go. I’d love to share the recipe with you:
Squeeze 2 lemons and add the juice to a blender.
Add 200 ml of apple cider vinegar.
Pour in 400 ml of water.
Add a large piece of ginger.
Blend everything in a high-performance mixer until finely processed, then strain the mixture through a sieve or press it out. Pour the liquid into small bottles, store them in the fridge, and each morning, simply add about a shot glass of the juice to a large glass, add a little honey, and top it off with warm water. Voilà, your healthy start to the day is ready! If you feel the onset of a cold, you can also add a pinch of turmeric – turmeric is anti-inflammatory and great for boosting the immune system.
The light version for trips
I also love working with essential oils, and one of my favorites is "Lemon," as it’s made from pure lemon and is even safe to ingest. When we’re camping with Rudi or on other trips, I always bring this oil along. Paired with my thermos, which is pretty much always by my side, I can stick to my morning routine almost anywhere—after all, you can heat water just about anywhere. I used to do the same on business trips, too—most hotel rooms have a kettle, so at least this part of my routine didn’t have to suffer.
In summary, the morning lemon water is a health tip I really recommend. Just remember to use lukewarm water (not hot), drink the amount all at once, and sit while you do it. Enjoy trying it out—feel free to let me know how it works for you!
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