DIY: How to Restore Copper
Copper is prized metal in Ayurveda. Not only does it give tremendous health benefits, but it is functional, convenient and easy to use.
Drinking water left overnight in a copper vessel is recommended for overall wellness. It balances the Vata dosha, positively charges the water with ions, prevents aging, eliminates free radicals, aids in proper melanin production, and provides essential copper particles to the body. Storing water in copper vessels kills all bacteria and microbes present in the water too. Taking advantage of the oligodynamic effect of purifying water with Copper has been used for thousands of years by Yogis and is still used today in traditional Indian households.
Ayurveda also recommends wearing copper to reduce pain and using it as a tongue scraper to promote oral health.
Copper oxidizes, however. And no one wants to drink out of a tarnished, brown, dirty looking vessel, nor is it recommended.
Fortunately, there is a super easy solution. To restore copper, all you need is Tamarind!
Tamarind is a tree fruit that grows in various parts of the world. The fruit is inside of a pod [similar to green peas] which must be cracked open and the fruit peeled off from around the seeds. Tamarind is used for a variety of dishes and drink preparations for its refreshingly tart and almost sweetly sour flavor. Medicinally, Tamarind is helpful for digestive problems, protecting cardiovascular tissue, lowering cholesterol, purifying the blood, treating ulcers and jaundice, reducing malaria fever, improving sluggish bowels and is a good source of antioxidants.
Its acidic nature reacts with copper to scrape away tarnish and restore luster.
It is very easy to find tamarind paste, which is simply the fruit separated from the pod and seeds, or to separate it yourself from the fruit. Crack the pods and peel the fruit from the root and seeds. This is tamarind paste. Tamarind Juice can be made by mixing the pulp with water as well.
To clean copper:
Rinse the copper vessel and scrub with tamarind pulp. Repeat until the copper luster returns, about 10min for a smaller sized vessel.
Done! Simply wash and dry normally. I repeated my procedure twice and the second time, the spots were completely gone. I have to admit, I was very impressed.
To make copper water, clean the vessel and pour in a cup of water. Let it sit overnight and drink in the morning.
It is incredibly easy to incorporate copper and copper water into your daily life. The health benefits are worth it, and drinking out of a shiny beautiful container is always lovely.
Happy scrubbing!
xo
Helen
References:
http://www.realnatural.org/ancient-ayurvedic-practice-proven-in-copper-study-on-hospital-acquired-infections/
http://herbs.ygoy.com/top-15-health-benefits-of-tamarind/