Have you ever heard of a Sitz bath?
When my kids were sick or had a fever I would always prepare a sitz bath for them and was amazed at how well it worked. It’s been awhile since those days, so I did some research on sitz baths and was surprised that my grandmother’s wisdom was not reflected in any of the information I found! In fact the internet suggested that sitz baths were more like bidets.
So since I didn’t have my grandmother’s old books I had to dig up the information from memory and was inspired to share this technology with you because….
Apparently my grandmother’s information somehow got thrown out with the bathwater.
In her day the sitz bath was recommended to bring down a fever and generally as a remedy for many ailments. But why? What was the science behind it? I wish I had some of grandma’s down to earth eloquence to explain why Sitz baths are so useful. But everything she said made so much sense that I subsequently used it for my own kids when they were sick or feverish and for myself as well.
HOW TO USE A SITZ BATH:
Fill a small deep tub with cold water high enough to immerse the body from slightly above the naval to a little below the genitals. The feet and legs should remain dry along with the area above the navel including the arms and head. The rest of the parts mentioned should be submerged in the cold water. Remain in the bath for about 20 minutes or until the fever goes down or the cold water is not so shocking.
This can be done in a cold river which I tried for myself but it’s hard to find a place where the water is just the right depth and where you can get in gracefully without wetting your feet and legs or the upper part of the body. So a tub that’s just the right size is the best option with no danger of getting swept away by the current.
WHY ONLY THOSE PARTS OF THE BODY?
The reason only those parts should be in the cold water is because all the vital organs are located in that area. Cooling them down suddenly shocks the system, precisely in the right places. It’s like giving those organs a jump start and reactivating them to quickly do the work they were meant to do: protect the body. What could be more brilliant? No aspirins, no medications just sit in the cold water and let your vital organs do the work.
I’m not a doctor so use your judgement. And I know some people who panic just thinking cold water can kill you. I only know it worked for me and my children. If you have any doubt, consult your health practitioner, if you trust him. But remember he may not have read my grandmother’s old books and I do feel sorry for him if he hasn’t!