With temperatures relentlessly exceeding 45°C across India, the Union Ministry of AYUSH, in coordination with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), has issued an urgent public health advisory. While plain water is essential, the government's official guidelines highlight that it isn't enough on its own to beat extreme heat stress. To prevent heat stroke, your body desperately needs traditional, mineral-rich alternatives.

The Ultimate Electrolyte Hydrators

When you sweat, your body loses vital sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The advisory highlights traditional combinations that act as natural oral rehydration solutions:

Coconut Water & Tender Flesh: Labeled as nature's ultimate electrolyte drink, it naturally replenishes potassium and magnesium lost through sweat.

Homemade Lemon Water with Salt: A direct, easy-to-make substitute if commercial ORS packets are unavailable.

Buttermilk and Lassi: Recommended to be consumed daily with a pinch of salt to maintain baseline fluid levels.

Traditional Deep-Cooling Drinks

These herbal infusions and traditional recipes are explicitly recommended by Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems to reduce core body temperature:

Amra Prapanaka (Raw Mango Panna): A classic Unani and Ayurvedic remedy made from roasted unripe mango pulp, water, and sugar or salt. It has been used for generations specifically to prevent heatstroke.

Nannari Paanagam: A cooling Siddha drink combining Indian sarsaparilla syrup, lime juice, water, and soaked basil (sabja) seeds.

Bael Sharbat: Made from wood apple, this is highlighted as an excellent traditional option to cool the digestive system.

Official Government Advisory

The Ministry has strongly advised people to stay hydrated throughout the day, even if they don't feel thirsty. According to the advisory, thirst is not always a reliable indicator of dehydration. The advisory further encouraged people to include hydrating and cooling food items such as cucumber, watermelon, lime, musk melon, ash gourd and tomatoes in their daily diet during the summer season.

What to Avoid

People are advised to avoid alcohol, excess tea and coffee, carbonated soft drinks, sugary beverages, oily meals, and high-protein foods during peak heat.

What Next

Citizens have been advised to regularly follow weather updates issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and take necessary precautions during heatwave alerts. The government has also activated emergency helplines 108 and 102 for heatstroke emergencies.