Tip 20. Enhance beauty with the mudpack.

The nature cure practitioners at present are making increasing use of mud packs of moistened earth in the treatment of diseases. The use of mud packs has been found highly beneficial and effective in the treatment of chronic inflammation caused by internal diseases, bruises, sprains, boils and wounds. Mud packs have been found to be a valuable treatment of diseases relating to general weakness or nervous disorders. It can also bring down fever and is beneficial in the treatment of scarlet fever, measles and influenza. The mud pack is prescribed for swellings, eye and ear troubles, gout, rheumatism, stomach troubles, kidney and liver malfunctions, diphtheria, neuralgia, sexual disorders, headache, toothache and general aches and pains. This mode of treatment is normally adopted in conjunction with a proper scheme of dietary and other natural therapies.
The advantage of mud treatment is that it is able to retain moisture and coolness for longer
periods than cold water packs or compresses. The cold moisture in the mud packs relaxes the
pores of the skin, draws the blood into the surface, relieves inner congestion and pain, promotes
heat radiation and elimination of morbid matter.
A mud pack is prepared with clay obtained from about ten cm below the surface of the earth,
after ensuring that it does not contain any impurities such as compost or pebbles. The clay is
then made into a smooth paste with warm water. This is allowed to cool and then spread on a
strip of cloth, the size of which may vary according to requirements. The dimensions of the pack
meant for application on the abdomen are generally 20 cm x 10 cm x 2.5 cm for adults. The mud bandage, after being placed on the body, should be covered with flannel or other protective material. The pack is applied for 10 to 30 minutes.
Hot and cold applications are useful in relieving chronic pains, intestinal cramps and lumbago.
Alternate application helps to relieve discomfort caused by flatulence and intestinal obstructions.
It is also helpful in amoebiasis, colitis, enteritis and other inflammatory conditions of bacterial
origin.

Tip 12. Hydrotherapy, the treatment of disease with the bath, is one of the most useful nature cures.

The hipbath is one of the most useful forms of hydrotherapy. As the name suggests, this mode
of treatment involves only the hips and the abdominal region below the navel. A special type of
tub is used for the purpose. The tub is filled with water in such a way that it covers the hips and
reaches up to the navel when the patient sits in it. Generally, four to six gallons of water are
required. If the special tub is not available, a common tub may be used. A support may be
placed under one edge to elevate it by two or three inches. Hipbath is given in cold, hot, neutral
or alternate temperatures.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS:
Certain precautions are necessary while taking these therapeutic baths. Full baths should be
avoided within three hours after a meal and one hour before it. Local baths like the hipbath and
footbath may, however, be taken two hours after a meal. Clean and pure water must be used
for baths and water once used should not be used again. While taking baths, temperature and
duration should be strictly observed to obtain the desired effects. A thermometer should always
be used to measure the temperature of the body. Women should not take any of the baths
during menstruation. They can take only hipbaths during pregnancy till the completion of the
third month.