Home hydrotherapy is the use of hot and cold water to stimulate the body’s immune system. Outlined below are several treatments that you will find helpful for colds, coughs and flus. When you feel a germ trying to get the best of you (indications might be a scratchy throat, a head ache, a stuffed up nose… you know your symptoms best) then try some of the following home hydrotherapy ideas:
WARMING SOCK TREATMENT: (Excellent for improved immunity, detoxification, circulation and lymph drainage) Before bed at the onset of symptoms of a cold / flu:
- Take cotton ankle length socks;
- Wet them with cold water;
- Ring them out so they are damp but not dripping;
- Apply to feet;
- COVER WITH WOOL SOCKS (very important step);
- Go promptly to bed.
- In the morning, the socks should be dry (your body has sent blood to the feet to warm them up and in doing so has relieved the upper body and head of congestion). Do this for 3-5 nights to ward off infection or until your symptoms subside. You can also do this on your hands or feet if you suffer from chronically poor circulation.
COLD COMPRESS (FOR SORE THROATS):
- Wet a piece of cloth that is long enough to wrap around your neck (a long sock might work nicely for this);
- Wring out fairly well. Apply to your neck;
- Cover this with a piece of wool. A long wool sock can be used for this purpose;
- Keep this on for about 20 minutes or until the wet cloth is warmed;
- Dry your skin following the above application and do not get chilled;
BATHING FOR FEVERS: (Indicated in mild fevers up to 38.9°C, to hasten the body’s attempt to create a fever; to optimize the fever). Consult your physician before using this treatment for children.
- Draw the bath as hot as tolerated and maintain the temperature throughout the treatment;
- Add ice to a bowl with a little water and with a handcloth;
- Apply the ice water to your forehead throughout the treatment to prevent the occurrence of headaches or faintness that is often experienced during hot baths;
- Maintain a body temperature of 38.3°C or 38.9°C while in the bath for 15-20 minutes;
- Finish the bath with a cold splash or shower;
- Cover yourself well following the bath. DO NOT CHILL. It is preferable not to go to bed until the sweating response has subsided;
- Repeat 1-2 times per day if you are acutely ill.
WARMING GINGER BATHS:
Follow the protocol in bathing for fevers above and add 2 tbsp of freshly grated ginger to the water. This acts to warm a chronically cold body. Home hydrotherapy at its tastiest.
WET SHEET WRAP: (avoid if you have a severe cold or flu, diabetes or circulatory problems):
- Prepare cotton sheet by saturating with cold water. Wring out well. Spread out over top of a thick wool blanket;
- Take a hot bath and then, without drying yourself, lie on the wet sheet;
- Wrap the sheet around your body so that the sheet comes between your extremities and your body;
- Wrap the wool blanket snugly around your body from head to foot. You may wish to cover your head so only your nose is showing;
- Remain until the wet sheet is completely warm, about 20-40 minutes;
- Repeat daily or as long as you are acutely ill;
- Do not allow yourself to get chilled when getting out. Jump into bed immediately with lots of cozy covers;
HOT MUSTARD PLASTER: (to help cough up phlegm that feels stuck in the chest):
- Mix 1 part of dried mustard and 4 parts flour;
- Add enough water to make a paste;
- Spread paste to ½ of an old facecloth (mustard may stain so choose a facecloth you are not that attached to);
- Fold the facecloth in half and place it on your chest for no longer than 20 minutes;
- Check every 5 minutes to make sure that your skin isn’t burning;
- After 5 minutes you will feel the dry heat penetrate!
HOT FOOT BATH:
- Place feet in a bucket full of hot water while applying ice to the nape of your neck;
- Keep treatment up for 20 minutes, replenishing the hot foot bath as required and keeping your neck cold with ice;
- Add 1 cup of Epsom salts (optional);
- You can also add freshly grated ginger to the foot baths as well.
STEAM INHALATIONS:
- Boil a kettle of water;
- Pour into a glass, ceramic or stainless steel bowl and place on your table;
- Add 2-3 drops of essential oils (thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree – see Herbal Healing for more ideas);
- Put your head over the steaming bowl;
- Cover with a towel and breathe for 15-20 minutes;
- Rinse your face with cold water.
Home hydrotherapy is both inexpensive and effective. It is a great way to keep your family well!
Naturopathic Medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health. Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease. Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.
