57
Steam Sauna
Hippocrates, the founder of Western
medicine more than two-thousand years ago
said, "Give me the power to create a fever,
and I shall cure any disease."
Although often misunderstood as a symptom
of disease, fever actually is a part of the
body's natural healing response. Steam
baths, sauna, and other heat-inducing
treatments elicit similar healing responses in
the body, and consequently are often called
"artificial fevers".
During a fever, the functioning of the
immune system is stimulated, while the
growth of bacteria and viruses is forced to
slow down. The production of white blood
cells, the primary agents of the immune
system, is increased, as is the rate of their
release into the blood stream. Apart from
stimulating the immune system, the fever
slows down the proliferation of invading
organisms by creating an inhospitable
environment, and is thought as one of the
most effective and painless detoxifying
treatments available.
According to the classical Ayurvedic texts,
for maximal results, a steam bath should be
taken with aromas of natural herbs and
while keeping the head cool and the body
supine. Just as it is in NeoQi® energy
cocoons.
Heat speeds up the chemical processes in
the body, making steam and sauna bathing
one of the simplest and most comfortable
ways to rid the body of accumulated toxins.
As the pores open up and the
millions of sweat glands start to excrete, the
body rids itself of metabolic and other waste
products. Sweat contains almost the same
elements as urine, and for this reason, the
skin is sometimes called the third kidney. It
is estimated that as much as 30% of bodily
wastes are eliminated by way of perspiration.
Last but not least, steam and sauna bathing
produce powerful therapeutic effects simply
by increasing circulation. As the carrier of
the rebuilding forces of the nutrients to all
parts of the body, the bloodstream plays a
crucial role in the maintenance of health.
Steam and sauna treatments have a
stimulating effect on the cardiovascular
system. The pulse rate increases from 75
beats per minute to between 100-150 beats
per minute during a 15-20 minute treatment.
This increases blood circulation, but not
blood pressure, since the heat also causes
the tiny blood vessel in the skin to expand,
accommodating the increased blood flow.
The dilation of the capillary vessels enables
the bloodstream to carry great amounts of
nutrients to the skin, enhancing the nutritive
status of the skin. The flushed, youthful look
that steam and sauna bathers maintain for
up to several hours after treatment is due to
this effect.
In the hydrotherapeutic tradition used at
European and America spas, sweat therapy
is used in preparation for massage as a
means of increasing the suppleness of the
muscles and creating a deep sense of
relaxation in body and mind. In the
Ayurvedic tradition of India, steam
treatments are part of the traditional
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