subject: Unani - Therapies used in Naturopathy [print this page] Our body has occult physiology - has awesome attributes of our miraculous self-repairing, self replenishing, self sustaining physique. Nature cure alone acts as an aid to support this natural mechanism of the human body.
Nature Cure treatements are based on the five great elements of nature that have immense healing properties. There is no role of internal medications or drugs in the nature cure system.
The Five great elements of nature and the treatments based on them are :
Mud represents Earth, one of the five elements of nature and has tremendous impact on the maintenance of health and prevention of diseases. Minerals and trace elements present in the mud are known for its tremendous effects and healing properties. Mud also has the remarkable property of holding moisture for a long time, which has a cooling effect on the part of the body applied.
The best way to prepare a mud pack is to take clay from about four inches below the surface of the earth. Ensure that the clay does not contain any impurities, like compost or pebbles. Mix it with cold water and see that it has a consistency like soft dough. it should stick and not be thin enough to slide down when used in the pack. If the pack is to be applied on the abdomen (from the navel to the pubes) spread the mud evenly on a piece of cloth. See that it is about half an inch thick. Then place it gently with the cloth up and the mud touching the skin. Remove the cloth and place a thick woolen piece of cloth on the mud. You may even let the cotton cloth remain over the mud, but cover it with a thick woolen. If that is done the patient can keep lying down without covering himself with a blanket or a sheet.
The mud pack should be used for 20 to 30 minutes. After it is removed, clean the skin using a soft piece of cloth dipped in cold water. This therapy helps in improving circulation and relaxing the muscles, eliminating the toxins from the body and balances the metabolism. Local application helps to relieve inflammations, swellings and also greatly reduces pain.
2. Water - Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy uses the therapeutic properties of water. Water has been used for therapeutic purposes since hundres of years. Water has great healing properties and exhibits different properties at different temperatures. The temperature of the water for any treatment depends on the effect desired. Water is used internally and externally in all its forms - steam, liquid or ice, to cleanse and restore health.
A. Hydro Washes
This helps cleanse and detoxify the internal cavities.
a. Enema - Is the basis of nature cure treatments and is a very effective cleansing method because the intestines are the first home to a large amount of morbid toxic matter produced in the body as a result of wrong eating, living and thinking. It helps to eliminate constipation which is the root cause of most of the diseases. It remarkably hastens the natural healing process of the body.
B. Hydro Baths
a. Arm and Foot Bath - This relieves localized pain, swelling and inflammations and is excellent for relieving the numbness and tingling in the extremities.
b. Hip Bath - Stimulates the circulation towards the pelvic and digestive organs and relieves constipation, flatulence and indigestion. Also helps to set right the menstrual disorders and pelvic pain and is beneficial in piles.
c. Spinal Bath / Anti-stress Bath - Stimulates the spinal nerves and relaxes the paraspinal muscles, helps maintain the blood pressure and helps in regulating the moods like anxiety or depression.
d. Steam Bath - The entire body with the exception of the head is exposed to a superheated atmosphere which helps in many ways. Steam inhalation helps decongest the respiratory tract. This helps to remove the toxins through the skin by sweating and helps open the skin pores and maintain its natural moisture and softness. Local steam helps relieve pain in the local area.
C. Wet Packs
Wet packs allow an in-depth detoxification of the areas which are swollen, blocked or sensitive and help to restore the vitality of the skin and the body. There are several packs like-chest, abdomen, knee, trunk, shoulder, face, ankle and neck packs.
D. Hydro Jets / Douches
These treatments help refresh, stimulate and boost vitality of the body. They improve the peripheral blood circulation and stimulate the nervous system.
E. Wet Compresses / Fomentatio
This is the application of water in the form of a pack wrung out in water of different temperatures (normal, hot, cold or alternate hot and cold). This is excellent for pain, sore muscles, swelling and edema. This also stimulates the blood and lymph stream and provides soothing, refreshing, calming and decongesting qualities.
F. Immersions
It is one of the hydrotherapy treatments wherein the body locally or wholly is immersed in water of differnt temperatures (normal, hot or cold). This helps improve the circulation of the part immersed and also the peripheral circulation. It also helps in relieving pain and edema.
G. Golonic Hydrotherapy / Irrigation
The colon is the seat of all toxins in the body. This detoxifying treatment involves an assisted soothing gentle flow of filtered, temperature, controlled water throughout the colon to flush out accumulated waste and toxins. This rebalances the body chemistry and stimulates the autonomic nervous system.
3. Air - Breathing Exercises
The body can live without food for many days and without water for a few days, but cannot survive without air for even five minutes. We go on inhaling and exhaling air continuously and indefinitely. Fresh air is essential for good health.
The air we inhale is known as prana or life force. The system of Pranayama is based on this. Fresh, open air is an important factor for health. It imparts strength and vitality to the body. Like water or mud bath, air bath is life giving. Walking in the shade or greenery for half an hour in the morning does a world of good to the body. Deep breathing and air bath strengthen and freshen all the nerve endings in the skin and improve blood circulation.
4. Fire - Sun Bath - Heliotherapy
The Romans known for their splendid robust physique and muscle tone, used to regularly take sun baths on their terraces in sun houses known as SOLARIA'. Even the ancient Hindus, Chinese and the Egyptians used sunlight for curative purposes (along with water and fasting).
Sunbathing means exposure of whole or part of the body to sunrays. Sunlight is absorbed by the nervous system and distributed by it and the bloodstream to the different parts of our body.
It benefits the muscles in our body.
It brings down the blood pressure.
It makes the kidneys functions more efficiently.
Blisters and wounds heal faster as it maintains the alkali in the blood.Sunlight aids the all around development of a child.
It helps to nourish and strengthen the body and helps in fast recovery of the sick during convalescence period.
Rheumatic patients benefit from sunbaths and steam baths.
5. Ether - Fasting Therapy
Fasting, one of the oldest natural therapies is nothing but an extension of the Golden Rule To keep healthy, one must always keep a little hungry."
Unfortunately, today we live in a culture of excess, of a fast junk food, instant food; we gorge ourselves till we can eat no more. Fasting is considered the fastest therapy.
One needs to understand and appreciate that there is a lot of difference between fasting' and starving'. The aim of fasting' is to create space' within oneself for easy and unhindered movement of energy. Fasting 3-4 days each month serves wonderfully for toning up the system and for increasing the body's natural resistance to disease. Regular weekly fasting, or half-day fasting (skipping an occasional meal), or juice fasting or fruit fasting all result in a tremendeous improvement in the digestive process and utilization of nutrients. Fasting therapy has also been shown to increase stamina, accelerate weight loss and reverse ageing considerably. Unless you are accustomed to fasting, it is advisable that you start the fasting regimen in consultation with an experienced naturopath. Most healthy young adults can easily tolerate fasts lasting up to one week provided water and salts are replenished. Fasts of longer duration should be undertaken as a matter of therapy only when prescribed by a qualified naturopath and strictly under supervision only.
