1. Blood Purification Therapy is used to purify the blood and lymphatic system if acids and other poisons are causing disease, imbalances and irritations.

2. Carminative Therapy aids in bringing warmth, circulation, and stimulation to the deeper parts of the body.

3. Deobstruent Therapy is indicated when there are obstructions or accumulations in the body causing loss of energy and congestion.

4. Diaphoresis therapy increases the circulation at the surface of the body,
opening pores to increase the elimination of water through the skin.

5. Emesis Therapy induces vomiting and is indicated when there is nausea caused by food or drug poisoning. 

6. Heat Dispelling Therapy is used when there are low-grade fevers, acute infections, inflammations and other internal heat problems.

7. Purgation Therapy involves the use of cathartic herbs to stimulate elimination through the bowels.

8. Stimulation Therapy is used to stimulate internal organs during chronic diseases by increasing circulation and breaking up obstructions in the body.

9. Tonification Therapy is the means to strengthen blood, organs and vitality of the body.

10. Tranquilization Therapy is used to calm, relax, arrest, and slow down--bringing balance back to the body after hyperactivity.

Hydrotherapy is one of the oldest natural methods of healing. Hippocrates wrote about his experiences with the water cure 500 years before Christ. Egyptians used baths for all illnesses and held them in high regard for their curative effects. The Persians and Greeks built magnificent public buildings where the whole population could come and soak for health maintenance, cleanliness, circulatory disease and other problems.

This therapy is effective by itself, and is proven to be of great benefit when used along with herbal therapy. Hydrotherapy is commonly used in conjunction with many of the therapies listed above.

The skin is connected to every organ in the body via the nervous system and circulatory system. By changing the skin temperature with water applications that are hot or cold, nerve sensations will stimulate or sedate specific systems and organs. Raising and lowering temperature of the body will help break up congestion and facilitate elimination and circulation.

Disease does not exist without some kind of disturbance in the circulation. All organs receive a certain amount of blood flow. When the flow is interrupted, we have congestion, chills, fevers, and disease. Cold water applications contract the blood vessels and reduce the amount of blood, while hot applications dilate or open the blood vessels and draw blood to the surface of the body.

The following chart summarizes some of the basic ways to administer water therapy. This chart gives specific temperatures, duration of time, and effects of hydrotherapy (taken from Natural Healing with Herbs).


Temperature             Duration                       Effect

Very cold, 32-43 F     A few seconds, use         Tonic
                                only under supervision

Cold, 40-60 F            30 sec. to 2 min.              Tonic, shocks
                                                                       nervous system

Cool, 60-72 F            30 sec. to 3 min.              Invigorating, improves
                                                                      circulation

Tepid, 80-90 F           5 to 7 min.                      Cleansing; lowers fevers,
                                                                      cools inflammations

Neutral, 92-95 F         1/2 to 1 hour                  Refreshes, aids burns

Warm, 90-100 F        15 to 30 min.                  Equalizes circulation;
                                                                     reduces pain, softens skin

Hot, 100-105 F          8 to 10 min.                    Relieves pain, aids neuritis,
                                                                     gout, arthritis, rheumatism,
                                                                     and skin eruptions

Very hot,                  A few seconds to            Relaxes, reduces muscle pain/
105-110 F                a few minutes                 spasms, dilates blood vessels
                                                                    raises blood pressure

 

1. Always use a thermometer to test the water temperature--never guess.

2. When treating older, debilitated and anxious people, do not use extreme temperatures. Between 80 to 102 degrees F are usually the specified limits.

3. Cold baths (50-60 F) should always be of short duration. If the person is chilly after the cold bath, rub the the skin with a warm towel or with your hands until warm.

4. If exhaustion or weakness is felt after water therapy, rest at least 45 minutes. Otherwise, walk or exercise lightly if indicated.

5. During menstruation, extreme temperatures should be avoided. Use more warm treatments during this time--98 to 102 degrees F is a good range.

(from Natural Healing with Herbs by H. Smokey Santillo, N.D.)

There are more tips on hydrotherapy techniques in Dr. Santillo's book Natural Healing with Herbs.

His latest book ProMetabolics, and his classic Food Enzymes books are all available through his publisher Designs for Wellness press with Dr. Roy Vartabedian.

Click HERE to order your copy of these highly informative and practical publications today. Use the coupon below and save $5.00 on any order over $25.00!