Water Purification Practices in Ancient India

Different texts of Vedas and Ayurveda mention various methods for maintaining the quality of water. Some ancient and effective methods can be understood in brief.

‘Brihat Samhita’ written and compiled by Varahamihir mentions various methods of purifying water from polluted sources using plants, metals and temperature monitoring. Treatment of ground water is also mentioned there separately.

Anjan (Hardwickia)

Powders of 'Anjan'(Hardwickia), 'Bhadramushta' (Tiger nut), 'Vetiver grass', 'Amla' (India gooseberry) and 'Bhooi Amla' (Phyllanthus niruri) can be used to purify well water. Shushruta, the famous physician of ancient India, explained the natural method of water purification in detail. 

Purification is said to be done by using various plants and natural substances in muddy water – the combined use of 'Bhooi Amla' seeds, Lotus seeds, Algae rhizomes and three types of gems, 'Zircon', 'Pearl', and 'Quartz'.

According to Shushruta

Bhooi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri)

, polluted water is purified by exposing it to sunlight or touching it with a hot iron rod or hot sand. Apart from these, some ancient methods are still in use today, for example, use of Alum is effective in removing turbidity and unwanted color of water, only Tulsi (Holi Basil) leaves are also largely beneficial. Keeping turtles in wells or reservoirs will purify the water because turtles eat many microscopic organisms that are harmful to humans. 

Sea Turtle

Powder of Moringa seed has many other benefits for the body and can be used to purify polluted water. Also, Moringa seed powder, coarse sand, charcoal and gravels are used that destroy the 'aerobic mesophilic bacteria' (E-coli, coliform, pseudomonas, yeast, etc.) in the polluted water – thus purifying the water to acceptable standards of the ‘World Health Organization’. 

Moringa

Storing water in brass containers is hygienic and scientifically tested. According to microbiologists, keeping water in plastic rather than brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) containers protects against many waterborne diseases. Eating food in brass and bronze utensils is an ancient practice of India which is very scientific and simple process to maintain hygiene. 

Bell metal utensils

Bell metal (an alloy made of copper and tin) is such a magical metal that can destroy bacteria harmful to the human body through the transmission of microscopic particles in water.