The
Herbalist Newsletter
The
Herbalist Newsletter
Although medical science has not approved many dietary and herbal complexes claimed as beneficial to health, current American medical standards recognize hydrotherapy as having many excellent healing properties. Medical textbooks have chapters on the proven claims of hydrotherapy (see footnotes). For general home therapy of daily stress, strains, and minor injuries the home bath can offer an invaluable treatment center for health and healing. The following is a synopsis of the main healing principles of hydrotherapy.
AN INCREASE OF BLOOD FLOW THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM
The immersion of the body or a part of the body in a water
bath stimulates circulation. Techniques of application and water temperature
will direct the flow of blood in specific patterns. Water as a thermal conductor
is used to affect the temperature mechanism of the body which is regulated by
the circulation.
Hydrothermia is the science associated with this medical study, and concerns
itself with the effects heat and cold have on the body. The tiny capillaries
of the skin have been called the "second heart". The use of hydrothermia
on the skin pumps blood into or out of the tissue by stimulating the elasticity
of the vessels, thus increasing circulation. Hot water (hyperthermia) will draw
blood from other parts of the body and the body core into the skin and muscle
because of the reflex dilation effect. Cold water (hypothermia) will expel blood
from the surface into other parts of the body and into the organs and bone because
of a constrictive effect. Alternate hot and cold applications to a specific
part will pump the blood in and out of the area by using the dilation mechanism
of the blood vessels. In the case of hot and cold foot baths, blood is pumped
throughout the entire system.
TIMING THE BATH
Timing is important in all therapy baths. The reflex action
of the hot or cold bath will decrease if it is too long in duration. The therapeutic
bath should be limited to 15 or 20 minutes as a general rule, and followed by
a half hour bed rest period. Warm and neutral baths can be extended for up to
30 minutes. Cool baths below 85 degrees Fahrenheit should generally be no more
than five minutes. It is not necessary for the water application to be uncomfortable
after the initial mild shock of temperature change to the skin.
A bath of warm water, 100 degrees Fahrenheit, will draw
blood into the skin surface creating the longest duration of dermal capillary
circulation. Dispersed herbal and essential oil ingredients are most easily
absorbed into the capillaries when the blood is drawn into the surface of the
skin. Cool and cold water baths will act to stimulate an immune response creating
a strong heating reflex in the body. Cold water baths below 70 degrees Fahrenheit
are not recommended for home use. A bed should be prepared for a rest period
after a therapeutic bath. This allows the natural healing reflex of the body
to continue.
INCREASE OF COLLAGEN EXTENSIBILITY AND A DECREASE IN
JOINT PAIN AND STIFFNESS
Hot water treatments are a boon so sufferers of arthritis
and rheumatism, stiffness due to over exercise, fatigue, or sport injury. Studies
have shown that collagen tissue will soften at 110 - 112 degrees Fahrenheit
after immersion, wrapping, or spray for several minutes. Partial baths, i.e.
hand, foot, arm, shoulder, etc. are ideal for this application. The unheated
parts of the body can balance the higher heating of a single part through blood
flow. Massage and manipulation after collagen softening will stretch the joint
tissue resulting in "residual extension" of the connective tissue,
allowing more comfort in movement with a decrease of pain. Treatments for back
injury and sore muscles due to overexertion or strain will find this attribute
of water a great recovery method.
A comfortable warm to hot bath, hot compress, or hot water
bottle also brings relief to muscle spasms and cramps by encouraging blood flow
to eliminate lactic acid and toxin waste buildup from the muscle cells. A hot
bath will calm nervousness, increases blood flow to nourish the tissue and calm
and relax tension. Gentle massage with fingertips over cramping muscle areas
will help stimulate blood circulation and release nervous blockage. A shallow
bath or 'sitz' bath that covers the lower abdomen up to the navel is good for
abdominal organ and lower back complaints.
RESOLVES ERUPTIONS, EXUDATES, AND EDEMA
Local hot compresses over skin eruptions, or full or local
hot baths will draw elimination of exudates and stimulate the resolution of
infections, boils, and other eruptions through the skin. Swellings due to edema
are reduced through blood flow activity which eliminates toxin and fluid buildup
in the affected area. A hot bath will relax muscle tension which in turn releases
the constrictions on the nerves and vessels which run through them. The released
flow of energy and fluid brings relief to the body.
ELIMINATION
OF TOXINS FROM THE CELLS
Local hot applications and partial and full baths stimulate
the cells to eliminate toxins into the bloodstream and out of the system. Heat
increases metabolism in the cells and also resolution blood flow through the
tissue. This increase in cell metabolism encourages the elimination of toxins
into the bloodstream. Toxins that are accumulated in the fatty layers under
the skin are metabolized and released. The sweat glands of the skin become very
active in hyperthermia and a great amount of toxins are eliminated through the
skin. The blood flowing through the surface capillaries is able to discharge
toxins from other parts of the body through the skin and out of the system.
The body is also able to purge itself of invading virus, through a process called
"viral shedding," as hyperthermia creates an artificial fever to eliminate
pathogens from the system through the skin. The skin is the body's first line
of defense against invading organisms and harbors over fifty percent of the
immune systems killer T-cells. The stimulation of the skin in the thermal bath
calls these defenders into action which makes the bath a vital part of the fight
against cold and flu germs.
COUNTER INDICATIONS:
Because baths are a stimulus to the circulation, persons
with a weak or diseased circulatory condition or internal or external bleeding,
should not use hot water treatments. Baths above 105 degrees Fahrenheit
are considered hot. Infants and young children, pregnant
women, the elderly and infirm, should not take hot baths. Warm baths
of 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit are generally soothing, safe and effective.
FOOTNOTES:
Thermal Agents In Rehabilitation
Susan L. Michlovitz, M.S., P.T.
F.A. Davis Co., Phila. 1990
Duffields Exercise in Water
Alison Skinner, MCSP and Ann Thompson, MCSP
W.B. Saunders Co., Phila 1989
Therapeutic Heat and Cold
Justus F. Lehmann, M.D.
William & Wilkins, Baltimore 1984
Naturopathic Hydrotherapy
Wade Boyle, N.D.
Buckeye Naturopathic Press, East Palestine, OH 1993
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