48 Hours to a Healthier Life

8. H for Hydrotherapy

WARNING: If you suffer from fainting or dizzy spells, heart problems, or any other circulatory problem such as high or low blood pressure, read the chapter very carefully and avoid any of the suggestions if you have concerns. If in any doubt at all, always check with a medical expert.

what is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is described as the use of water in the treatment of disorders. It all started in the 1830s in Bavaria when a Roman Catholic priest called Sebastian Kneipp discovered that he, like so many others at the time, had tuberculosis. No remedies from orthodox medicine seemed to work, and after reading a book about ‘water cures’ he decided to give them a go. Despite having a raging fever, he jumped into an icy river and then jumped out again. He wrapped himself in warm blankets and went home to bed to sweat the poisons out. He had stimulated his immune system (remember the sluggish lymph?) into action; he repeated the treatment daily, and within weeks he had become stronger and was eventually cured. So the story goes. Today there is a Kneipp College and hydrotherapy is practised in many European hospitals and clinics.

It’s a very useful therapy for the rehabilitation of arthritic or partially paralysed patients; but it’s usually more widely seen as something a bit ridiculous that only the rich can afford at expensive health spas. But it should be taken seriously as an effective and beneficial technique.

I am not, for one moment, suggesting hydrotherapy as a TB cure or that you use it as a treatment for a medical condition. But I heartily recommend it as a preventative measure for strengthening the body’s own natural healing powers. And, as has been discovered in health spas, the lymph and skin, and therefore cellulite, usually improve with hydrotherapy treatment.

benefits of hydrotherapy

Prevents colds and viruses.

Improves stamina.

Reduces stress levels.

Improves sleep.

Strengthens blood circulation.

Strengthens the nervous system.

Boosts the immune system.

Helps detoxify.

Boosts sluggish lymph.

In this section there are all sorts of different baths to choose from for your home spa. Have a good read through and see which one you fancy the sound of. If a temperature is given, this is only a guide – unless you happen to have a heat-proof thermometer about your person, just use your common sense and listen to your body. Nicely hot to some people could be dangerously scalding to others, so if in doubt start with the bath comfortably warm, and keep topping it up with hot water. Your whole body should be immersed, and you may want to have a book to hand, as you could be in there for a while! If you want to add any essential oils to a bath, use about three drops of each of your favourite essences.

types of baths

Warm Baths (90–95°F, 32.2–35°C) open the pores and create sweating, as well as helping to open the cells and release toxins. Warm baths can also help lower blood sugar, relieve painful joints and muscles, and improve colon peristalsis – moving your bowels! They are good for mild detoxing and mild colds and will be very beneficial to you over the Weekend. The hotter the water, the more profuse the sweating and the more dramatic the release of toxins. But, be careful, it could be too dramatic – over-stimulation can damage the body – so take it easy.

TIMING: Soak for 10–20 minutes.

WARNING: Please make sure you drink plenty of extra water before, during and after your bath as the heat and sweating will dehydrate your body.

Cold Baths (55–65°F, 12.8–18.3°C) shock the system, stimulate it initially and then slow the heart right down. Cold baths are fantastic if you’re very stressed, have ‘Busy Brain Syndrome’ or suffer from insomnia. They do the opposite of hot baths in that they can thin the blood, increase blood sugar and reduce colon peristalsis. In other words, cold baths slow your whole system right down as the blood rushes inwards to protect your organs.

TIMING: a quick dip of 6–30 seconds only!

WARNING: Do not have a cold bath if you suffer from heart problems, are feeling ill, run down or just coming down with something, however minor. Cold baths are for people in robust health!

baths with oils

You can add 3–10 drops of any one of these oils to a bath. Or use a combination of oils (to a total of 10 drops).

Lavender: Antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, detoxifier, promotes healing. If you buy only one essential oil, buy this one.

Pine: Refreshing, relaxing and healing.

Camomile: Antispasmodic and calming.

Peppermint: Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Good for the digestion.

Melissa (lemon balm): Soothing and relaxing, sedative.

Thyme: Antiviral and antiseptic.

Lemon: Antiseptic, antibacterial and toning. Good for the lymphatic system.

Rosemary: Stimulates mentally and physically. Not really suitable for winding down.

medicated baths

Sea Salt Bath: Use this one to relax. The cooler the water and the shorter the time spent in the bath, the more it becomes a tonic. Add 3–5 lb (1.3–2.3 kg) of sea salt to a full bath.

Soak for 10–20 minutes.

Baking Soda Bath: For skin conditions such as eczema, hives or rashes. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) acts as a mild antiseptic, opens the pores and relieves itching and skin irritation. Add 1 lb (just under ½ kg) of baking soda to a full warm-to-cool bath.

Soak for 10–20 minutes.

Oatmeal Bath: For skin irritations, sunburn, chafing and windburn. Add 1–2 cups (125–250 g) of finely ground oatmeal to a full warm bath.

Soak for 15–30 minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Bath: Very good for detoxifying the body, helping the alkaline/acid balance and treating yeast infections such as thrush. Use organic or raw cider vinegar. Add 1–4 cups (250 ml–1 litre) to a full warm bath.

Soak for 15–20 minutes.

foot baths

Foot baths are very useful as relief for all sorts of symptoms that may come up during the Plan. Either sit on the edge of the bath, or get comfy on the sofa with your feet in a large plastic bowl.

hot foot bath

GOOD FOR:

Decongesting Internal Organs

Relieving Headaches

Warming the Body

Producing Sweating

Helping to Stop a Cold or Treat it

Relaxation

Tired Sore Feet (especially with mustard added!)

Chronically Cold Feet

A very simple but effective technique: fill your bath or a bowl with comfortably hot water to cover your feet and ankles. (Test it with a toe first to avoid scalding yourself.) Keep adding warm water to keep the temperature constant. Soak your feet for 10–20 minutes using any of the suggested oils. Finish by pouring cold water over the feet. Take it gently and make sure you’re not sweating too much. Rest afterwards and drink plenty of water.

cold foot bath

This is absolutely brilliant if you’re having trouble sleeping at night, especially if you’re suffering from that Busy Brain Syndrome. Soak your feet in cold water until the cold becomes quite uncomfortable or till the feet start warming up. Whichever you can bear.

alternating hot/cold foot bath – lymph booster

Start by standing or soaking your feet for 1–2 minutes in hot water followed by 30 seconds in cold and keep alternating between the two for 15 minutes, ending on cold.

I tried this in an American health spa where they had added pebbles to the shallow pool so that the feet’s reflexology points could be massaged as you walked from hot to cold, from cold to hot. The virus I was coming down with disappeared. If you live near a beach, you could add some small pebbles or stones to your bath for an added benefit! (But use a rubber mat underneath to prevent scratching the bath.)

! TOP TIP FOR A QUICK ‘FACE LIFT’

Cold water really tones and tightens the skin. Try using a hand-held shower on cool and blitz your face as close to the showerhead as possible. (BUT avoid the eyes if you’ve got the water on high.) Move the shower in a circular motion half a dozen times, first in a clockwise direction and then anti-clockwise. Finish by spraying your forehead for 30 seconds, then the temples, then the jawline. Pat skin dry with a fluffy warm towel.

! TOP TIP: WIMP’S VERSION

Personally, I hate water pouring into my eyes so this is my wimpy version, and nearly as effective! Fill a basin with cold water. Either put your face into the cold water or soak a flannel in the basin and place it over the face. The water should be as cold as you can bear. Repeat half a dozen times and then pat skin dry.

Hydrotherapy can definitely strengthen your immune system. In the next chapter there’ll be much more about the body’s immunity and how to boost it.