Importance of Water
Throughout our life, we exist primarily as water: As a fetus, we were 99% water; at birth, we were 90% water; the average human is 75% water; in old age, we are about 50% water. 76% of the brain; 75% of the muscles; 82% of the blood; 90% of the lungs; 25% of the bones are made up of water. Every structure, biochemical process, and electric pulse within our bodies is touched and influenced by water. The first cell of our existence is nourished by water and the enzymes and hormones that guard our life float in this magnificent medium. Water is truly the source of it all!
Water is the biological terrain of our human body, just as the roots of a tree grow in the soil. Our body's Biological Terrain is the fluids surrounding the trillions of cells in our bodies and, ideally, nourish them and let their waste flow away. If the cells are not adequately nourished or dehydrated or unable to get rid of their waste products, they will start to feed on the body itself and damage the immune system. When we do not provide the proper amount of water to the body, our brain draws water from our body parts and transfers it to the required part. In other words, the brain switches to survival mode. e.g., in this process, water is drawn from the lungs leading to asthma, body joints leading to arthritis, etc. Dehydration is the root cause of many health problems. e.g., Neurological, Autoimmune Disorders, Heart problems, Migraines, Irritability in behavior, Trouble concentrating, Liver problems, Kidney and Urinary infections, Stones, Respiratory issues, etc.
Why don’t we feel thirsty if we are dehydrated?
Indicator for Dehydration
Some early warning signs of dehydration are: Dry Lips, Dry Mouth, Dark colored urine, Muscle Cramps, Weakness, Decreased performance, Nausea, Headache, Fatigue, Dizziness, and Difficulty paying attention.
The best indicator of our water needs comes from the color and odor of urine because the body concentrates urine to conserve water. This means that the more concentrated the urine is, the greater the body’s dehydration. Naturally, urine should be clear, like water and odor free, not dark-colored or having a stench.
Suggestions for Health
Drinking enough water: Water should always be at least at room temperature, preferably warm, but never cold.
Taking cold-shower bath
Water administered to the skin sets the stimulus via the nervous system (nerve receptors in the skin) to elicit a reaction from the body. It is, therefore, very healthy to take a bath with cold water, hot water (only in special cases), or alternate hot/cold.
Types of Baths
Cold Water Bath
Cold water treatment has a special tonic-like magic of exerting a rejuvenating and healing effect on the entire system. It stimulates circulation and increases muscle tone and nerve force. It enables the glandular system as a whole. It improves digestion and speeds up general metabolism. It will increase resistance to infections and colds if used regularly. It has a powerful influence on the central nervous system, the brain, and all the body's vital organs. It increases the blood count, as shown in actual studies. It has an electromagnetic effect on the body, stimulating the flow of life energies and growing oxygen intake to a remarkable degree.
The temperature of the water should be as cold as you can comfortably tolerate or within 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water bath should last at most 3 minutes. After the bath, rub your body with a coarse towel and put on dry clothes without delay. Always start the cold water bath on the right foot, far away from the heart. Moreover, if you shower, regulate the water stream's force to be as forceful as possible—the harder the stream, the greater the therapeutic value of the shower. A cold shower can be taken twice a day.
The full-body bath should be avoided during fever, but one can place a cold water cloth on the forehead to reduce the fever.
Hot Water Bath
The hot water bath is sedating and relaxing and would help to lower blood pressure. The water temperature should be as hot as you can comfortably tolerate or within 97-110 degrees Fahrenheit. After the bath, rub your body with a coarse towel and put on dry clothes without delay. Moreover, if you shower, regulate the water stream's force to be as forceful as possible. The harder the stream, the greater the therapeutic value of the shower.
Alternate Hot/Cold Bath
Alternate Hot-and-Cold water showers stimulate all the body functions, particularly the adrenal and other endocrine glands, and reactivate their functions. Another vital organ system affected is the circulatory system. With Hot water application, arteries and veins widen, blood pressure sinks, and blood is loaded with oxygen into the treated area. If a cold application follows the hot treatment, the reaction is the opposite: veins and arteries narrow, the blood pressure rises again, and the heart and lungs work harder to process the increased blood flow.
This alternate water treatment helps to strengthen the circulatory system and the heart muscle, regulating blood pressure and increasing the detoxification of the blood as the carrier of toxins in exchange for fresh oxygen. This is now transported to every single cell in the body, increasing its life and enhancing the quality and speed of building new ones. Blood tests have established an increase in the number of fighter cells of the immune system over a 3 to 21-day course of water treatments in clinics in Germany and Austria.
The procedure is as follows: The temperature of cold and hot water should be as comfortable as you can tolerate or within 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit (for cold water) and 97-110 degrees Fahrenheit (for hot water). First, take a warm shower, starting for about 3 to 5 minutes, to warm up the body. Then switch rapidly to cold water for about 10-15 seconds. Switch back to warm water for 3 to 5 minutes. Make three changes, always finishing with cold water. After the shower, warm yourself up by rubbing (until your skin turns red) with a coarse bath towel and put on dry clothes without any delay.
Foot Bath
A foot bath is an excellent treatment for colds, chronic headaches, neuritis, catarrh, sinusitis, cold feet, poor circulation, nervous disorders, and congestion in the abdomen and pelvic organs.
You need two small tubs for this bath. Fill one with hot water, 97 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the other with cold water, 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Water should be 8 to 12 inches deep. Place feet in the hot tub for 3 to 5 minutes. Switch to cold water tub for 30 seconds. Repeat twice.
Hand/Arm Bath
It is also very beneficial in heart conditions, rheumatic conditions in hands and arms, bursitis, and neuritis.
Use two small tubs or one large wash basin and an extra tub. Fill one with hot water, 97 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and the other with cold 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep arms, preferably more profound than the elbows, in hot water for 5 minutes, then in the cold for 15 seconds. Repeat three times. If you cannot take an arm bath, use only your hands.
Cold Hip Bath
The cold hip bath has a stimulating and invigorating effect on the reproductive organs and the spine. It is popularly called the 'youth bath' because of its rejuvenating effect resulting from increased blood circulation to the vital centers.
The procedure is: Use the regular bathtub in your home. The temperature of the water should be as cold as you can comfortably tolerate or within 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill the bathtub with water about 8 inches high or slightly less than half-full. Sit in the tub with your knees drawn up, so the water covers only the hips. The duration of the bath should be 3 to 5 minutes. After the bath, rub yourself warm with a coarse bath towel and put on dry clothes without delay.
If a cold hip bath is given to a patient in a fragile condition, it is advisable to place his feet in a small tub or pan filled with warm water. A cold hip bath can be taken 2 or 3 times a week.
Hot Hip Bath
A hot hip bath relieves pain and inflammation in the pelvic region's reproductive organs and other organs.
The procedure is: Use the regular bathtub in your home. The temperature of the water should be as hot as can be comfortably tolerated or within 97-110 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill the bathtub with water about 8 inches high or slightly less than half-full. Sit in the tub with your knees drawn up, so the water covers only the hips. The duration of the bath should be 3 to 5 minutes. After the bath, rub yourself warm with a coarse bath towel and put on dry clothes without delay. This bath can be taken 2 or 3 times a week.
Alternate Hot/Cold Hip Bath
The alternate hot-and-cold bath has great therapeutic value in most internal disorders. Not only organs and glands of the pelvic region are stimulated and revitalized, but practically all body functions are beneficially affected. The bath is especially beneficial for all who have lowered vitality.
The procedure is to fill one tub with cold water (as cold as bearable or within 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit) and another with hot water (as hot as bearable or within 97-110 degrees Fahrenheit). Sit in the tub with your knees drawn up, so the water covers only the hips. Sit in hot water for 5 minutes, then switch to cold water for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat twice. After the bath, rub yourself warm with a coarse bath towel and put on dry clothes without delay. This bath can be taken 2 or 3 times a week.
Steam Bath
Steam is available by boiling water, a vaporizer or humidifier, or a home or professional steam room or sauna. Steam increases skin action and creates perspiration, which cleanses the body from within. The hot steam from a vaporizer eases chest congestion. Skin is the largest organ for elimination, and simple immersion in a long hot bath or a sauna can stimulate the excretion of toxins from the body through the skin. Inducing perspiration helps treat acute diseases and many chronic health problems. Steam also penetrates the lungs and respiratory tract to release phlegm, opening the skin's pores to release copious quantities of sweat. After the bath, rub yourself warm with a coarse bath towel and put on dry clothes without delay. Steam baths and saunas are contraindicated for acute infections, inflammations, and fevers.
Cold Eye Wash
Eye wash is beneficial for relaxation and eye problems. It helps with headaches. You can use cold water for eye wash. Splash cold water 3 or 4 times in the eyes daily. Or Use eye wash glasses to wash your eyes.
Salt Water Bath
Of all natural living waters, salt sear water has the most excellent curative power. Plato said, "The Sea cures all ailments of man." Sea water is extremely rich in all beneficial minerals. It can be taken internally, in 2 tablespoons, as a mineral supplement, or as a "Sole." Minerals are absorbed through the skin during ocean bathing and inhaling mineral-rich air by the seashore.