Use of earth (mud) in Nature Cure
is one of the age old traditions known to us since centuries.[1]
A mud bath is a therapeutic spa treatment that involves soaking in a bath of
warm mud, often in a natural hot spring or naturally developed geothermal pool.
Mud baths[2]
have been used for centuries as a way to promote health and relaxation, and are
still popular today in many parts of the world.
Benefits of this therapy are
recorded differently during different instances.[3]
It has a greater impact on mind
as scholars report about relaxing and rejuvenating effect of mud on the mind.
The warm, soothing sensation of the mud helps to reduce stress and promote a
sense of easiness configured with comfort.
The heat of the mud helps to
increase blood flow and stimulate the immune system, while the minerals in the
mud are believed to have a range of healing properties; detoxify the body, ease
muscle pain and tension; promote maintenance of healthy skin; may relieve pain,
stiffness and improve functional status in patients having complications like
arthritis. It is also reported that in cases of scorpion-sting and the similar
types of other complications, the use of mud is particularly beneficial.[4]
There are reports of other success stories to confer the beneficial aspects of
Mud Therapy.[5] A mud-poultice over the abdomen and the head,
gives distinct relief in a state of high fever; similarly skin-diseases like
the itch, the ringworm, and boils, etc. can be cured. Burns and scalds, ulcers
from which pus issues, piles, pain in the joints, inflammation and other skin
related complicatioons can be handled by using this therapy.
Fresh mud should be collected
from reliable sources (may be river, lake or pond) , then it should be tied up
in a piece of clean, un-starched cloth, and can be used in the form of a thick
poultice. The poultice should be removed before the mud begins to dry up. Mud should not be re-used for fulfilling
therapy purposes. Clothes can be re-used after making it clean.
Use of mud for therapy purpose is
in practice since olden times. With some minute differences of application this
therapy is also called Balneotherapy.[6]
Conditions like arthritis[7]
and fibromyalgia[8]
can be handled efficiently by using this therapy. Significance of mud pack is
well established along with several strong evidences duly collected from
various clinics.[9]
Seculations related to non-reliability of this therapy were also reported. Need
of further advanced studies is also pointed out by different scholars.[10]
Balneotherapy and spa therapy are considered useful interventions for managing
stress conditions.[11]
…. By Chandan Sukumar Sengupta
[1] Melillo,
L. (1995). "Thermalism in the ancient world". Med Secoli. 7 (3):
461–483. PMID 11623481. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
[2]
“That earth should have such properties need not cause us any surprise, for our
own body is compounded of the earthly element. Indeed, we do make use of earth
as a purifying agent. We wash the ground with earth to remove bad smells, we
put it over decaying matter to prevent the pollution of the air, we wash our
hands with it, and even employ it to clean the private parts. Yogis besmear
their bodies with it; some people use it as a cure for boils and ulcers; and
dead bodies are buried in the earth so that they may not vitiate the
atmosphere. All this shows that earth has many valuable properties as a
purifying and curative agent.” … M. K. Gandhi
[3]
“A German doctor has made a special study of earth and its properties. He goes
so far as to say that it can be used with success in the treatment of even the
most complicated diseases. He says that once in a case of snake-bite, where
everybody else had given up the man for dead, he restored him to life by
causing him to be covered up with earth for some time.” --- M. K. Gandhi.
[4]
“every case of snake-bite may not be cured in this way; but it should certainly
be tried in every case.” …. M. K. Gandhi
[5]
“Constipation, dysentery, and chronic stomach-ache have been cured by the use
of a mud-poultice over the abdomen for two or three days. Instant relief has
been obtained in cases of headache by applying a mud-bandage round the head.
Sore eye has also been cured by the same method; hurts of all kinds, whether
accompanied by inflammation or not, have been healed likewise.” .. M. K.
Gandhi.
[6]
It is the practice of immersing a subject in mineral water or mineral-laden
mud; it is part of the traditional medicine of many cultures and originated in
hot springs, cold water springs, or other sources of such water; for example
samples collected from Dead Sea.
[7]
Sukenik S; Flusser, D; Codish, S; Abu-Shakra, M (1999). "Balneotherapy at
the Dead Sea area for knee osteoarthritis". IMAJ. 1 (2): 83–85. PMID
10731301.
[8]
A medical syndrome that causes chronic widespread pain, accompanied by fatigue,
awakening unrefreshed, and cognitive symptoms. Other symptoms can include
headaches, lower abdominal pain or cramps, and depression.
[9]
Verhagen, Arianne P.; Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita M. A.; Boers, Maarten; Cardoso,
Jefferson R.; Lambeck, Johan; de Bie, Rob; de Vet, Henrica C. W. (11 April
2015). "Balneotherapy (or spa therapy) for rheumatoid arthritis". The
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015 (4): CD000518.
doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000518.pub2. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 7045434. PMID 25862243.
[10]
Falagas ME; et al. (2009). "The therapeutic effect of balneotherapy:
Evaluation of the evidence from randomized controlled trials".
International Journal of Clinical Practice. 63 (7): 1068–84.
doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02062.x. PMID 19570124. S2CID 26008531.
[11]
Reference of a clinical study conducted in 2018:
Antonelli, Michelle; Donelli, David (2018).
"Effects of balneotherapy and spa therapy on levels of cortisol as a
stress biomarker: a systematic review". International Journal of
Biometeorology. 62 (6).
