Therapeutic Use of Water

Water is a very powerful natural therapeutic agent that is oftentimes overlooked because of it simplicity and ubiquity plus it is something taken for granted in developed countries. Water in its various temperatures and physical states (liquid, solid and gas) has applications for many health conditions. The peoples of Mesoamerica are no strangers to these health benefits and the application of water as a therapeutic agent survive for example in the use of the temazcal (sweat bath), therapeutic full body baths which may or may not be infused with herbs.

In not so distant times it was customary for most people living in rural areas of Mexico and Central America to take their daily baths in ice cold rivers or lakes early in the morning and it is thought that this daily ritual was vital not only for higiene but also for the restoration and prolongation of overall health. Modern studies in "Hydrotherapy" which is the use of water as a therapeutic agent have demonstrated that short applications of cold (less than 1 minute) stimulate the immune system, stimulate the metabolism and increase circulation.

So remember to not overlook a powerful therapeutic agent that is oftentimes only as far as the bathroom sink.

Astha Nemanha Nuiknew! 

Salt Water Gargle

Salt is so ubiquitous in our society today that many people would find it surprising that it has been used as an effective remedy for various health complaints around the world for millenia. In the Mesoamerican region one of the uses of common table salt is in the form of a simple gargle.

To prepare a salt water gargle all that is needed is 2-3  teaspoons of salt (preferably sea salt or rock salt fit for human consumption), warm water and a small cup. the gargle is made by mixing the sea salt in 1 to 2 ounces of water and placing it in the mouth lifting the head and gargling as when using mouth wash. DO NOT SWALLOW THE SALT WATER GARGLE!!! and spitting it out after a 2 minutes or so of gargling (take breaks while gargling). These steps should be repeated 6 times in a day.

The antimicrobial property of a salt gargle lies in the fact that salt naturally draws liquids to itself and acts as a dehydrating agent. When applied as a gargle the salt draws the moisture from inside the offending microorganism shriveling it up and causing it to die. Additionally salt also takes away the moist environmental conditions needed for the microorganism to thrive.

 Photo Acquired From: http://stayhealthyla.org/blog/uploads//2012/02/salt-300x261.jpg

Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew!