10 Best Home Remedies for Dehydration

Water is one of the quintessential components of our body, and we cannot survive without it. Hence, any deficiency of this life force may lead to dangerous results. From trivial to severe, many kinds of health complications may arise because of a lack of water or dehydration. However, there are various natural remedies that help you compensate for the water loss or dehydration. The following article talks about some of the best home remedial measures for dehydration; have a look to know some of the best home remedies in detail!

Ways to Treat Dehydration Naturally with Home Remedies

Before dehydration turns into a medical emergency, it is vital that you look for ways to treat it. Looking for some natural ways of doing so? Here are some natural remedies for dehydration for you:

1. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is not only great for quenching your thirst, but it is also great for battling dehydration. Buttermilk is rich in magnesium and potassium, the minerals that your body loses during dehydration.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon dry ginger powder
• Black salt to taste

What You Should Do:

Mix all the above ingredients well. Drink this to hydrate your body. Take 3 to 4 cups a day to combat dehydration. Buttermilk is not only a great way to overcome dehydration, but it is also very nutritious and can be given to babies over six months of age.

2. Bananas

Dehydration makes you lose essential minerals such as potassium from your body. Bananas are rich in potassium. Thus, they help in replenishing the lost potassium from the body.

Ingredients:

• A banana or two

What You Should Do:

Consume a banana before indulging in any strenuous physical activity. Banana can be consumed once or twice in a day. It is not recommended to give bananas to a baby who is less than six months of age. It is one of the best home remedies for dehydration in infants.

3. Coconut Water

When your body gets dehydrated, it loses substantial amounts of sodium and potassium. Coconut water is loaded with these nutrients and helps compensate for the loss.

Ingredients:

• One glass of fresh coconut water

What You Should Do:

Sipping coconut water throughout the day helps in energising the body. For best results, drink coconut water 4 to 5 times a day. If your baby is over six months, coconut water can be given.

4. Barley Water

Barley water is a great way to help your body restore its lost nutrients because it is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. If you are thinking about how to treat dehydration in the elderly, well, barley water may help a great deal.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup barley
• 2 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Honey to taste

What You Should Do:

Boil barley in water. Let it simmer for 30-40 minutes. After the concoction cools down, add honey and lemon juice. Drink this water 3-4 times a day for best results. Introduce barley water after your baby is six months of age.

5. Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)

ORS is one of the best ways to make up for the lost fluids from the body.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of water
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

What You Should Do:

Take water and add sugar and salt. Mix well. Drink this solution until the symptoms subside. You can consume up to 3 litres of ORS in a day. ORS is safe for infants over six months of age.

6. Cranberry Juice

Cranberries have high water content, and these small berries also contain an apt amount of sugar and salt, which the body loses when you become dehydrated.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups cranberry juice

What You Should Do:

Drink fresh cranberry juice to feel better. You can drink cranberry juice once or twice a day.

7. Lemon Water

Lemons have ample amounts of sodium, potassium and magnesium. Drinking lemon water helps you replenish these lost nutrients and makes you feel better.

Ingredients:

• 1 glass water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

What You Should Do:

In a glass of water, mix lemon and honey. Drink lemon water two to three times a day. Lemon water should not be given to babies till they are at least six months old.

8. Yoghurt

When your body battles dehydration, it loses essential electrolytes and yoghurt helps in compensating that loss.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup homemade yoghurt
• A pinch of black pepper
• Salt to taste

What You Should Do:

Add salt and pepper to the yoghurt and mix well. Consume this two to three times a day. Dairy products should not be given to babies before six months of age.

9. Orange Juice

Orange juice works wonders in treating dehydration because it not only helps in replenishing the lost electrolytes but also nourishes the body with a good dose of magnesium and potassium.

Ingredients:

• One or glass fresh orange juice (unsweetened)

What You Should Do:

Drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice before any strenuous physical activity. You can consume one or two glasses of orange juice in a day. For children less than six years, half a cup of orange juice should be given in a day.

10. Apple Juice

Apple juice is excellent for combating dehydration because it has high amounts of magnesium and also has substantial amounts of potassium.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• 1 cup of water

What You Should Do:

Blend apple and water to make juice. Drink this juice two times a day. Apples should be avoided until your infant turns six months.

Additional Tips to Prevent and Cure Dehydration

Dehydration should not be taken lightly as it may sometimes lead to fatal health complications. Therefore, if you take note of the following tips, it may help in preventing and curing dehydration:

1. Include More Water-Rich Foods

Including foods that contain high amounts of water such as cucumbers, water-melons, yoghurt, buttermilk etc. work great for keeping dehydration at bay.

2. Avoid Alcohol

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol dehydrates the body. It is best to refrain from drinking alcohol as it may worsen the symptoms of dehydration.

3. Drink Ample Amounts of Water and Other Liquids

If you are planning on doing any strenuous activity or workout, make sure you drink ample amounts of fluids to keep up with your body’s increased demand for fluids.

4. Making Lifestyle Changes

If you are very active or like indulging in strenuous workouts, you should make a few changes that can help you stay hydrated. Carry an energy drink with you or drink something refreshing such as coconut water before or after the workout.

5. Keep Water Handy

Do not confine water bottles to your kitchen or refrigerator only. Instead, place them at various places in your house like your bedroom or study room etc., so that you have easy access to water. When a bottle of water is in front of you, you will have it too.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about dehydration:

1. What Are the Best Drinks to Treat Dehydration Besides Water?

There are many options that you can consider to overcome dehydration. Some of the most preferred options apart from water are watermelon juice, lemon water, buttermilk, ORS etc.

2. How Much Water Should I Drink a Day in Hot Weather?

Ideally, you should consume 3 to 4 litres of water or other fluids in a day. However, if you stay in hot climatic conditions or outdoors for extended periods on a hot summer day, on an average, you should drink one to two glasses of water every hour.

3. Can I Get Dehydrated in Cold Weather?

Yes, you may get dehydrated in cold weather because your thirst decreases. You may urinate more than usual because cold weather tends to move your body’s fluids from your legs and arms to your core. Together both these conditions can put you at the threshold of becoming dehydrated. Therefore, it is equally important to drink water and keep yourself hydrated during winters.

Dehydration can be easily managed if you act promptly. However, if any severe or unusual symptoms are monitored, seek medical help.

Also Read:

Kidney Stones in Children
How to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels- 10 Lifestyle Changes You Should Make Now
10 Effective Home Remedies for Burping