Healthy Digestion: The Foundaton of Optimal Health
January 6, 2026
BECOMING THAT BEST VERSION OF OURSELVES
A minor but painful fractured toe has temporarily paused my activities, as I enter into another rhythm called Kerala
- a rhythm that does not ask you to rush, harden, or keep up. It is a pace that makes room for wandering mornings, unfinished thoughts, and days that do not need to be productive to be meaningful. This is is not about doing less; It is about relating differently to time itself. It also allows for a focus on rest and the joys of South Indian gastronomy.
As Virginia Woolf noted, "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."
During our stay in Kovalam, a young accountant named Shyam, who is balancing his wife’s dental career and the arrival of their first child, has been assisting us with buggy transportation to the dining area. There, stunning views and sea breezes wafting in through open spaces enhance the refreshing atmosphere. Bottles of pink water sit on each beautiful wooden table. While Cheryl and Sue initially thought it was rose water, its lack of floral flavour prompted further investigation.
I discovered that this ruby-tinted drink is made by boiling Pathimugham (Sappanwood or East Indian Rosewood) shavings. This Ayurvedic tradition provides a beverage rich in antioxidants with antibacterial and medicinal benefits that aid digestion and blood purification. It is also highly valued as a refreshing thirst-quencher during the summer months.
This discovery served as a reminder to look deeper than surface-level observations and prejudices. I find myself reflecting on shifting roles, soulmate connections, the practical importance of staying hydrated and the necessity of preventing water-borne diseases in certain parts of the world.
We have agreed that building resilience by embracing discomfort, finding gratitude and meaning in adversity, and developing effective ways to respond to stress helps deepen our perspectives on what truly matters. To that end, Sue, Cheryl and I are heading to the spice market this afternoon for some retail therapy and to continue our search for further insights.
Recipe for Pathimugham Water
Boil 5 grams of Pathimugham wood shavings in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes.
Allow to cool. Enjoy
Allow to cool. Enjoy
