Water treatments have been around for thousands of years. They were already known to the Greeks as a remedy. The Romans, too – the numerous thermal baths still in existence show this – considered public baths to be cultural components of their daily lives. They were places of recreation and social gathering in the cities. Medically, the healing power of water is used in so-called hydrotherapy (Greek hydros = water). In the form of water, ice or steam, it is used to treat acute or chronic ailments, to stabilize bodily functions (hardening), for prevention, rehabilitation and regeneration. One uses thereby above all the temperature stimulus.
Kneipp cure and Kneipp watering
The most famous representative in modern times is certainly Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897). He is the namesake of the water cure and founder of Kneipp medicine. Kneipp is best known for treading water. Patients wade in the stork’s gait in a basin with about knee-high cold water. Incidentally, this Kneipp method is also suitable for the bathtub at home. In the equally well-known Kneip’s casts, a jet of water is directed at the body or parts of the patient’s body at low pressure. Both forms have a stimulating effect on the circulation and blood flow and, when used regularly, strengthen the body’s defenses. The same purpose is served by alternating showers, alternating between warm and cold water, and rubdowns, in which the corresponding part of the body is “worked” with a damp cloth.
Wraps and compresses
The poultice is a simple home remedy that can often replace the family doctor or taking medication. It can extract heat (calf compress to reduce fever), supply it (e.g., warm moist compresses for abdominal cramps, throat and chest compresses for respiratory diseases), cool it (e.g., cold compress for sprains), or stimulate rewarming and thus stronger blood circulation by a strong cold stimulus.
Steam baths
In the form of sauna bathing, therapy with steam serves multiple purposes. This is because “controlled sweating” is a medical all-rounder. When performed regularly, it serves the body as a hardening against colds, it relaxes the muscles, lowers blood pressure, stimulates circulation and breathing. In addition, it also plays a major role in mental well-being, because you can relax wonderfully in the sauna. And by the way, sauna also has cosmetic benefits. The exposure to warm vapors cleanses the body and provides effective vascular training for fresh skin with good blood circulation. Very well known is also the facial steam bath under a towel, which is used mainly for colds or to care for the skin (for example, skin impurities).
Baths
Baths can be used as partial and full baths medicinally, but also cosmetically. Depending on the desired effect, they can achieve different effects as cold, warm, alternating warm or in the temperature rising baths.
- The cold arm bath, for example, is often referred to as the “cup of coffee of the Kneippian”, because it has an enormously stimulating and refreshing effect on the circulation.
- The alternating foot bath is suitable before falling asleep carried out in case of insomnia or to stimulate the circulation in the morning. In addition, bath additives can add caring, stimulating or soothing effects.
- Steam bath against swelling of the sinuses: Pour boiling water into a bowl, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil and 2 drops of peppermint oil. Inhale with a towel over the head twice a day.
- Cold arm bath to stimulate circulation: The water should have a temperature of 12-18 degrees Celsius. The arms are exchanged in until they feel significantly cool (about 1 minute). After that, the arm is not dried, but the water is only wiped off. The bath works especially well if you dress warmly afterwards and move.
- Seaweed as a detoxifying bath and for skin care: grind 60 g Epsom salt, 110 g sea salt and 30g dried seaweed into a fine powder. Add the powder with 125 g of sodium bicarbonate to a bathtub filled with warm water. Bath time: 20 min.
- Stimulating bath with rosemary: rosemary stimulates the circulation, warms and helps with rheumatic complaints. Infuse 50 g of fresh or dried rosemary leaves in half a liter of water, then pour the decoction into the bath water. Bath duration 15 min. Caution: Not suitable for pregnant women!
- Apple cider vinegar builds the acid mantle: Also helps with exhaustion and nervousness. Simply add half a liter of apple cider vinegar to the warm bath water. Bath duration 10-20 min.