Mud, the key element of ayurvedic chikitsa is one of the panchbhootas or great five elements in nature. The therapeutic use of this mud is to absorb & eventually eliminate the toxic substances from the body. Mud Therapy in Naturopathy is one of the best forms of treatment that causes cooling when applied to the body and retains moisture for a long time, relieves all forms of indigestion, useful in cases of conjunctivitis, itching, allergy and more. The grey-black, clayey texture mud is collected from areas near water (dig 3 to 4 ft. deep from the ground surface), is sundried & then finally sieved to get rid of stones and organic impurities.
Major Benefits of Mud Therapy
Mud is endowed with vital minerals and bestows many health benefits that have a positive effect on the body. There are various uses of this element of nature which is why it is one of the significant treatment modalities in naturopathy known for its healing properties. Here are some of the major benefits of mud therapy:
- Mud therapy causes cooling and assists in bringing down your body temperature in case of fever.
- Mud therapies are exceptionally good & aid in reducing headaches, insomnia, hypertension, migraines as well as digestive dysfunctions by overcoming tension and strain.
- This therapy can cure several skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis by enhancing blood circulation and toning up the skin.
- Heated mud packs are beneficial in relieving joint pains and muscle stiffness.
- For wounds and skin diseases, the application of mud is the only true bandage.
- This form of Naturopathy Therapy is good for eyes and help get rid of infections and allergies, helps to reduce eyeball tension in case of glaucoma, hemorrhages in the eyeball.
- It also absorbs toxic substances and eliminates them from the body.
Mud Therapy as a Treatment
- Constipation
- Pain Relief and Healing Degenerative Disease
- Skin and Detoxification
- Weight Loss
- Stomach
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Hypertension
- Hair Problems
- Psoriasis
- Varicose Veins
Types of Mud
Doctors use mud as a remedy to treat diseases since ancient times. The mineral constituents found in the mud vary as per the kind of rock found in different regions and soil formation. Thus, one must know about the properties of mud before utilizing its benefits as it may contain impure elements. The Naturopathy doctors suggest drying the mud and remove unwanted items by using sift. It helps eliminate any form of impurity such as stones, grass, etc. present in the mud.
Black Mud
This type of mud is formed in lagoons, or bays containing iron sulfides and organic matter. Black mud is rich in minerals and also preserves water for a long time. Thus, recommended for mud therapy and treatments.
Dead Sea Mud
This type of mud treats health conditions and carries therapeutic powers that can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and more. It carries minerals including Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium Bromide, Silicates, Natural Tar and other organic elements. These minerals help improve psoriasis, reduce skin impurities, soothes chronic back pain, treats acne problems and more. Furthermore, it also provide relief to arthritis patients and improves blood circulation.
Moor Mud
This form of mud is natural and organically produced from the organic residue of flowers, grasses, and herbs. The fine mud paste comprises of bio-minerals, vitamins, humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, and fatty acids easily absorbed by human skin. Moor mud has therapeutic properties that help in improving circulation and immunity, healing, detoxification of the body, treating acne, recovery from sports injuries and rejuvenating yourself. Furthermore, it also has anti-aging effects.
What are the Different Applications of Mud?
Mud Therapy is an important treatment modality exercised in naturopathy in modern times as well to treat various diseases and improve health conditions. One can apply mud in the form of packs, wraps, baths or hot packs.
Mud Packs
Apply mud in the form of packs where one needs to directly apply mud on the body. Enriched with incredible cleansing and hydrating properties mud packs are highly beneficial.
- Application of soaked mud on the face. Leave to dry for 30 minutes. It is one of the best ways to pamper your skin and keep it gorgeous. It helps improve the complexion of the skin, removes pimples and loosens skin pores which in turn aid removal. Furthermore, eliminates dark circles around the eyes.
- A thick mud pack applied to head in congestive headache reduces the pain instantly.
- In cases of conjunctivitis, eyeball hemorrhages, itching, sensitivity, refraction faults application of the pack over the eyes is beneficial and exceptionally helpful in glaucoma where it lessens eyeball stress.
- When applied to the abdomen it removes all forms of indigestion, effectively limits intestinal heat and encourages peristalsis.
Mud Wraps
Enclose mud in a clean cloth and apply in the form of wraps for eyes, abdomen and few local areas. They are known for enhancing circulation and eliminating toxins from the skin, thereby binding and firming skin texture. Apply mud on the entire body. Later use hot towels to remove it after a term that permits the skin to absorb the nutrients in the mud. Wraps support the discharge of excess fluids, to bind and contour definite areas of the body.
- Apply Algae and seaweed wraps to encourage metabolism and intensify skin health.
- Make use of Cellulite wraps to decrease the appearance of dimpled skin.
Mud Baths
Mud bath is beneficial as the entire body is drench in mud slush. They aid to improve the skin tone by boosting circulation and stimulating the skin tissues. Caution to avoid catching a cold during the bath is a must. Later wash the patient with cold water jet spray. Make sure to use warm water in case the patient feels cold. The patient should be dried speedily and given a warm bed. The outcome of mud baths is refreshing, stimulating, and vitalizing.
Hot packs
Hot packs is another method to apply mud to reduce pain. They are powerful in healing joint pains and muscle stiffness. Hot mud therapy is a noninvasive, complication-free, and cost-effective alternative modality for the conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
