80 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutritionnatural healing methods 80
associated areas and are very useful for aiding fertility and relieving
endometriosis, PID (pelvic infl ammatory disease), hip problems, sciatica,
congestion, and so on.
Once you are in the water, swing both legs over the side of the bath.
Alternatively, lower yourself into the water buttocks fi rst, keeping your
legs over the side of the bath. Whether you have the water hot or cold
will depend on the particular problem you are aiming to treat. Sitz baths
focus on encouraging circulation, increasing oxygen fl ow, and relieving
any congestion or stagnation there might be in the lower abdominal area.
With cold sitz baths, it may be diffi cult to stay in the water for any
length of time. Shout or scream, as this will relieve the shock and
numbing effect of the cold water. Wear a sweater and socks if the
bathroom itself is cold. Begin by staying in the water for one minute, and
progress to fi ve minutes as you get used to it. It is very important that you
warm up quickly after a cold sitz bath. Placing a hot water bottle over the
area, going for a run, or sitting near a fi re are all good methods.
foot and hand baths
Water of varying temperatures may be used as a medium to carry herbs to
all areas of the body by soaking the hands and feet. If the person feels hot,
as is often the case with skin diseases, then cold water is used. Hot water
would be appropriate with other conditions, such as fl u. Herb decoctions or
teas, essential oils, mustard, Epsom salts, or cider vinegar can be added.
Soak your hands or feet in the solution for at least twenty minutes in order
to absorb the plant extracts via the skin for topical or internal healing. You
can use two bowls at once, each containing different herbs or varying water
temperatures. One may be hot and the other cold — you can alternate
between them. The famous French herbalist Maurice Messegue used this
healing technique very successfully, and reading his book Of People and
Plants will enlighten you about a whole system of healing for every known
disorder.
Book List
Herbal Home Health by Christopher Hobbs (Springville, Utah: Christo-
pher Publications, 1976)
Dr. Jensen’s Nature Has a Remedy: Healthy Secrets from Around the World by
Dr. Bernard Jenson (Los Angeles, California: Keats, 2001)
Resources
For Skin Brushes and Slant Boards
Perfect Health Company, 4872 Casitas Pass Road, Ventura, California
93001; tel: 800-444-4584; email: [email protected]