Perhaps you have heard your acupuncturist talk about Yin Deficiency. Or maybe you have the experience of drinking water and feeling as though it moves right through you. It could be that your body is not absorbing water optimally. Electrolytes play a key role in water absorption. Yin is considered to be the essential fluid in the body and prevents us from overheating. Staying hydrated is important, but in extremely warm climates (like Tucson), drinking electrolyte replacement water is vital.
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are the transporters that drive water into our tissues and cells, providing deep hydration to the body. Without their presence, we simply do not absorb and utilize all the water we take in. Electrolytes are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. In general, aiming for twice as many vegetables as fruits keep the ratios proportionate.
Where can I find electrolyte replacements?
There are certainly a lot of products on the shelves that provide electrolyte replacement. The powdered ones often contain other ingredients that are not desirable to consume regularly but can be helpful when traveling or doing endurance sports. Ultima is a good brand of powdered electrolyte replacement. Coconut water is a perfectly balanced electrolyte replacement, as is SmartWater, but over time can be costly. Luckily, electrolyte water is easy to make at home!
Recipes for Homemade Electrolyte Replacement:
This is the one I love and use personally. Equal parts sea salt and organic cane sugar (try 1/4 tsp or 1/8 tsp). Add some hot water and stir to dissolve. Add the juice of one lemon or lime and add water to taste. Chill in the fridge to enjoy later (I make a large mason jar in the morning and then enjoy later in the afternoon). *NOTE: If you consume a lot of prepared and/or processed foods, your sodium levels may be high. If the mixture tastes very salty to you, like seawater, cut the sodium in half. For example, 1/8 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp organic cane sugar.
Here is another option:
1-quart filtered water
1/8 or 1/4 tsp Himalayan salt
1/2 - 1 tsp powdered magnesium
1 TBSP honey (dissolved in a bit of warm water before adding)
Optional: fresh mint spring or slices of cucumber
There are many recipes out there for homemade electrolyte replacements, these are just two that are easy to make and delicious to enjoy. Stay hydrated, Tucson! Summer is coming...
We care about you! Be healthy and stay safe.
Julie is a Nationally Certified and Arizona licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. She completed her master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 2014. She has been in practice since then.
Julie has a background in personal cultivation practices and has been practicing yoga since 1995 and qigong since 2000. In 2006, Julie began teaching Yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi classes in Tucson, AZ. She taught regular weekly classes and specialty workshops for 15 years in Tucson, Portland, and Walla Walla. For the past five years, she has been leading teacher training, guiding others to teach in an ethical and intelligent way. A natural educator, Julie has a way of demystifying Chinese Medicine and translating it into pragmatic and accessible methods. She believes change must begin within, yet we can all be a catalyst for change in one another.