Roots of naturopathy and its methods: Various thermal applications
Naturopathy and its methods are rooted in various thermal applications. Saunas and sweat lodges, foot baths, alternating baths or contrast showers, rubdowns, hay baths, warm and hot wraps and compresses, fango packs and mud baths, hot healing springs or sulfur baths, warming teas, oils and tinctures are all applications and methods from classic natural medicine – which have been practiced by all cultures all over world.
Chinese medicine uses moxibustion treatments by burning dried herbs directly on or near the skin. The heat from burning herbs warms up specific energy points, which are also used in acupuncture or acupressure. Sometimes entire body areas, e.g. the abdominal region or the back, are “moxed” and warmed with small boxes. Hot cupping glasses, which are used in Eastern and Western medicine, work in a similar fashion. For some time now, naturopathic practices have also used warm stones for treatment. And thus, time and again, valuable and effective methods emerge from cultures all over the world that all have one principle in common: raising the body temperature either systemically for the entire body or locally for certain organs, body parts or the previously mentioned acupuncture points.
Specific healing methods with water applications, established by Pastor Kneipp, are mainly intended to restore circulation and warmth to the body. Besides heat applications, Pastor Kneipp also suggested and practiced cold applications that either provide cooling for inflammations – deliberately in these cases – or activate the heat regulation with a targeted and short cold stimulus.
Excerpt from the book “Uwe Karstädt: 98.6° F – Ideal Body Temperature”
Copyright 2014 | uwekarstaedt.de
PDF version of the book | Uwe Karstädt: 98.6° F – Ideal Body Temperature
