If you’ve grown up in an Indian household, chances are you’ve seen that age-old copper vessel resting proudly on the dining table. For many of us, the sight of copper jugs or lotas isn’t just nostalgic; it’s a reminder of our grandparents' simple yet profound practices.

 My own grandmother never started her day without a glass of water from her copper vessel. “It's good for you,” she’d say with a knowing smile. Back then, it seemed like just another ritual, but Ayurveda has long celebrated copper water for its healing properties.

What is Copper Water? 

Copper water or Tamra jal is simply water that has been stored in a copper vessel overnight. During this time, a small amount of copper gently mixes with the water, giving it special health benefits. 

Copper is important for many body functions. Copper supports the development of healthy connective tissues, such as bones, skin, and muscles. It plays a key role in turning the food we eat into energy. It helps the brain’s cells communicate better, which is important for memory and focus.

Why Copper Water?

Ayurveda teaches us that drinking water stored in copper vessels helps balance the body’s three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

✔️ Vata Dosha (Air & Space): Copper water is warm and stable. It can help calm Vata’s restless energy. If you often feel cold or have dry skin, drinking copper water might help.

✔️ Pitta Dosha (Fire & Water): Copper has a cooling effect. It can help people with Pitta dosha, who often feel too much heat. Copper water on hot days helps cool us down.

✔️ Kapha Dosha (Earth & Water): Copper water is stimulating. It can reduce Kapha’s heaviness and laziness. If you feel low on energy, copper water might give you a gentle boost.

A Simple Practice with Big Benefits

The beauty of this tradition lies in its simplicity. Just fill a copper vessel with water at night and drink it first thing in the morning. Not only does it support dosha balance, but copper’s antimicrobial properties can also naturally purify the water.

✅ Fights Cancer: Water stored in a copper vessel may provide antioxidants that may help fight harmful substances and support overall health.

✅ Helps with High Blood Pressure: Copper water can lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. This helps prevent high blood pressure.

✅ Supports Thyroid Health: Lack of copper can affect the thyroid gland. Drinking copper water helps keep the thyroid working properly.

✅ Eases Joint Pain and Arthritis: Copper water strengthens bones and reduces inflammation. This makes it great for people with arthritis.

✅ Improves Digestion: Copper water removes harmful bacteria, reduces stomach irritation, and boosts metabolism. This helps with better digestion

✅ Protects the Heart: Copper water improves blood flow and helps blood vessels relax, supporting a healthy heart.

✅ Slows Down Ageing: The antioxidants in copper water fight free radicals, which can help reduce signs of aging.

✅ Reduces Stroke Risk: Water stored in a copper vessel may provide antioxidants that support heart health and promote good blood circulation.

✅ Aids Weight Loss: Copper boosts metabolism and helps burn fat, supporting healthy weight loss.

✅ Increases Hemoglobin: Copper is important for maintaining healthy blood and preventing certain blood disorders.

✅ Boosts Brain Function: Copper helps brain cells communicate better, improving brain health and efficiency.

✅ Speeds up wound healing: Washing wounds with copper water cleans the area and helps the skin heal faster.

✅ Fights Infections: Copper has natural antibacterial properties that help reduce the risk of infections.

How Much to Drink?

Copper has many benefits, but it’s important to remember that the body only needs a small amount of copper.

You might wonder, “Can I drink copper water all day?” Since water makes up 75% of our bodies, it’s not safe to drink copper water all day. 

Excess copper can be formed in the body when drinking copper-infused water. As it's needed in very less quantity to our body, most of it is gained through food we eat. Excess copper intake leads to copper poisoning in our body. To avoid any such situation, it is recommended to drink copper infused water only in limited quantities. Limit your Copper water intake to one-two glasses daily.

Here are some simple guidelines for using copper water safely:

✔️ Buy a pure copper bottle or jug.

✔️ Fill the bottle halfway with water and leave it in a cool, dry place overnight or for about 8 hours (don’t put it in the fridge).

✔️ Drink copper water on an empty stomach in the morning.

✔️ Rinse and fill fresh water everyday.

✔️ Clean your copper vessel regularly. 

✔️ It is advised to take a break from copper water every two months.

How to care for your copper vessel?

You might have noticed over time your copper vessel gets a greenish-blue coating. Copper oxidases with the oxygen in the air. This is why you should not let your copper water sit for more than 24hrs. Clean your copper vessel regularly to gain clean and healthy benefits. 

Copper vessel wash and care guideline:

Wash your copper vessel once a week.

You can clean your copper vessel easily with any hassle. 

🍋 Lemon method: Cut half a lemon. Dip it in salt and rub the half on the vessel thoroughly inside and out. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse. 

🌿 Tamarind method: Soak a half a cup of tamarind in water. Make sure to remove the seeds beforehand. Rub the tamarind paste on the vessel thoroughly inside and out. Let it sit for 20 minutes and scrub it and rinse. Use a gentle scrubber.

🧽 Wipe the vessel with a clean cloth and air dry.

Can you cook in a copper vessel?

Copper is a good conductor of heat. It has the ability to conduct heat quickly and evenly but when removed from fire loses that heat just as fast. Which makes it ideal material for cookware.

However on the other hand copper is very reactive when it comes in contact with acidic foods like tomatoes, vinegar. The vessel oxidizes and coats the food which then goes in our body. 

Small amounts of copper are not harmful to health. But larger levels such as those consumed repeatedly when eating meals prepared in copper pots, can have harmful effects.  

So even many copper utensils are lined with other materials. If you are someone who uses copper cookware make sure to use them in moderation and clean them properly. 

Reviving these small rituals can be a beautiful way to connect with our roots. The next time you spot that copper vessel in your home, perhaps you’ll see it not just as a relic of the past, but as a timeless tool for well-being.

Have you tried drinking copper water? Did your grandparents follow this tradition too? I’d love to hear your stories, share them in the comments!