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By Joyce Zeller, The Spa Shop The stress-ridden society we live in today is just beginning to rediscover some half-forgotten truths about healing our battered physical and emotional being. |
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There is a healing magic that goes beyond drugs and
prescriptions. It involves the strength of plants from the Earth, the water that is a part of all life,
and the mineral salts from which our bodies are created. The way to deliver these things to our
bodies is through bathing. Baths are not for getting clean. Showers do that. A bath restores you physically and mentally. It is an opportunity to heal and nurture that marvel of creation which is your body. We humans are naturally attracted to water. We like to hear it flowing, look at it, float across it and swim in it. Our bodies are made up mostly of water. By itself, water can relax us, relive our stress and pain, and soothe our souls. When we add scent, minerals and herbs to a water-filled tub, it becomes a treatment bath. The temperature of your bath is very important. Avoid water that is too hot. You need just enough heat to soften the collagen in your joints, muscles and membranes. This will enable the muscles, which are bunched and knotted from overuse or emotional stress to relax and stretch out. A Hot Bath (104-108 degrees) brings blood to the surface skin area where it is better able to absorb the herbs, minerals and oils added to your bath. A Warm Bath (100-104 degrees) is a good choice for those with heart conditions. Normal, healthy bodies can withstand the "drag" on the heart muscle created by the dilation of surface blood vessels in a hot bath. Those with heart conditions should lower their bath temperature to "warm."  The duration of the bath should be 20-30 minutes. Be fully immersed or, if your tub is too small, cover exposed parts (except for the head) with a wet towel. Always drink a full glass of water while you are in the tub. For hot baths, use a cold cloth on the forehead. Take deep, slow breaths while in the tub to absorb the aromatherapy oils. Then, starting with the toes and ending at the shoulders--tighten each muscle group, hold the tension for a brief moment, then slowly relax. Breathe several times and repeat this light exercise 4-10 times. | |