Nehal Rajvanshi
In Ayurveda, water is the element of the Moon. Among its many qualities, water is gentle and cooling—much like the Moon’s own energy, which brings calm and serenity. A beautiful balancing ritual brings together these soothing qualities of water and the Moon, creating what is known as Moon-charged water.
Moon-charged water is water left in a clean vessel under the light of the Moon, typically overnight during the waxing phase or on the night of the Full Moon. This is not a ceremonial act, but an intentional one. It is a quiet alignment with the cooling, calming and rejuvenating lunar energy.
While classical Ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita or Sushruta Samhita do not mention moon-charged water directly, the practice resonates with core Ayurvedic principles. The Moon is believed to influence rasa, the vital fluid. It is said that while the Sun captures rasa from the earth, the Moon gently releases it again, restoring balance and vitality.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, moonlight is said to embody Soma—the nourishing essence of life itself. When water is exposed to this light, particularly on Purnima (the Full Moon), it is believed to absorb cooling attributes (sheetala guna) of the Moon. This makes Moon-charged water especially beneficial for those with aggravated Pitta dosha, which tends to be fiery, intense and hot in nature.
Moon-charged water is particularly ideal to drink in Summer, when we all need the gentle, cooling qualities of the Moon. Drinking this water first thing in the morning hydrates the body, supports digestion and helps eliminate toxins. It also offers the gentle, cooling properties of the Moon.
While modern science has not yet validated the energetic transfer of moonlight into water, it does recognise the Moon’s influence on natural systems. Tidal movements, plant behaviour and circadian rhythms in animals and humans all show sensitivity to lunar cycles. Considering the human body is largely composed of water, it is plausible, though not empirically proven, that the Moon has a subtle regulatory effect on our internal rhythms.
Additionally, leaving water in an open vessel overnight naturally cools it, making it more palatable in the warmer seasons.
Here’s how you can prepare water to be energised under the moonlight:
- Fill a clean vessel—ideally made of glass, terracotta or silver—with potable water.
- Place it where it can receive direct moonlight overnight. A Full Moon or waxing phase is ideal.
- Cover the vessel with a clean cloth to protect water from dust and insects.
- In the morning, drink the water on an empty stomach or use it to prepare herbal infusions with ingredients such as rose, fennel or coriander.
Moon-charged water is not a cure or a miracle. It is a gentle ritual rooted in ancient knowledge and natural rhythms and one that is drawn from the quiet influence of the Moon on our body and mind.