Cold rubbings
They are used to invigorate and keep the body’s form, for better blood flow, circulation and to get rid of infections of the respiratory system. For cold rubbings you should water a linen cloth in cold water, wring out and briskly rub the upper and lower trunk, or the entire body. Wait until you get warm and dry, then go to bed.
Sauna and Steam Baths
Saunas and steam baths have the same effect; you can choose any you wish. The sauna’s heat eliminates toxins quickly through the skin, while the moist air of a steam bath produce a good effect on the respiratory system. Saunas are used for relaxation; they also help to get rid of stress and tension.
A sauna is used for the stimulation of blood flow, it makes the heart beats quicker, it strengthens the immune system, it provides better hormone production, relaxation and mucosal secretions in the respiratory system, it makes the airways open, it lessens resistance to respiration, it regulates the vegetative system and encourages mental activity. Children are allowed to begin taking saunas at the age of two or three years.
It is recommended for the maintenance of the body’s health, for the treatment of pain that appear as a result of pulled back muscles, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, unstable hypertension (stages I and 11), severely disturbed peripheral blood circulation.
Saunas should be avoided by people who suffer from sharp rheumatoid arthritis, acute infection, active tuberculosis, sexually transmitted illnesses, sharp mental disorder, inflammation of an inner organ or blood vessels, significant vascular changes in the brain or heart, circulatory problems or acute cancer.
The time spend in a sauna should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes at a time. It is strongly recommended to wash your face often with a cold cloth if you don’t want to have overheating.
Wraps
A wrap can be applied in the treatment of fever and local inflammation. Before the treatment you should adopt a relaxed position. Then moisten a linen cloth with cold water (warm water is recommended for respiratory diseases), well wrung out, and then wrap tightly around the appropriate part of the body, but not so tightly because it can lead to constriction. Wrap the moist linen cloth with dry cotton or linen cloth. After wrapping in a blanket or another cloth it is recommended to have a rest of the duration of 45-60 minutes or up to three hours if you want to achieve sweating.
If the wrap is not warm anymore after a quarter of an hour, you can maintain heat with a hot water bottle or by drinking warm tea. As soon as the patient feels unwell, he should take away the wrap and stop the treatment.
Wraps are recommended for people with the following problems:
Neck wrap: sore throat.
Chest wrap: bronchitis, lung disease, neuralgia.
Body wrap (between costal arch and pubic bone): inflammatory illness of the upper abdomen, gastric and duodenal ulcers, cramps, sleeplessness, fever.
Trunk wrap (between pubic bone and armpits): high fever
Hip wrap (with gap between the legs): prostatitis, vaginitis, hemorrhoids, anal eczema, inflammation in the pelvic cavity.
Calf wrap (between foot and knee): lymphostasis, edema, for withdrawing heat in fever and phlebitis; in varicose veins the effect can sometimes be amplified through the use of healing earth or loam poultices
Joint wraps: rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis
Packs
Warm packs. You should soak a wrapping cloth in a hot infusion or decoction of herbs, then wrung out and applied to the patient's body. You can have the wrap covered with a coating of hot mud mustard flour, or fango. Hayseed can be put in a sack and steamed.
Warm packs are recommended for those who suffer from painful chronic illnesses such as arthrosis, renal disease, or cystitis, and for the stimulation of blood flow.
Pay attention to the temperature of the wrap, it should be tolerable.
Cold packs. You should put cooled cataplasm onto the wrapping cloth and put it on the part of the body. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and use it repeatedly for one minute, then take it away for four.
Cold packs are recommended for those who suffer from various inflammatory arthropathies, sprains and strains, pleurisy. Headaches can be successfully treated with ice packs.
Ice packs can cause frostbite, that’s why you should put a thin cloth between the pack and the skin.
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