Mud is an important element of nature. It contains important minerals which have positive effects on human health. Mud can absorb toxins from human body therefore is very useful in preventing many diseases. It is also known for its healing properties. It also helps in cooling and relaxing body as it can hold moisture for a long time.

Benefits of Mud therapy
It relaxes muscles and improves blood circulationIt maintains metabolism rendering positive impact on digestion
It is useful in conditions of inflammation/ swelling and relieves pain
It is a good hair conditioner and is good for skin
It is useful in condition of stiff joints

Why use mud therapy ?
Out of the five constituent elements of this universe mud (earth) has a pivotal role to play in our well being. The dark color of mud helps in absorbing different colors and conveying them to the the body, giving it therapeutic properties. Also, its shape and consistency may be modified with ease, just by changing the water content, which makes it easy to use. A mud pack is advantageous over a cold compress (cold water therapy) as it retains the coolness over a longer period of time. Therefore, it is recommended whenever a prolonged cold application is required. Lastly, it is easily available and a cost effective treatment option.

Massage therapy is used for treatment of many disorders and for up-keeping a good general health. Massage has been in use as a therapy for many centuries to cure different ailments. Hippocrates is known to have used massage therapy for treating many of his patients. While performing massage therapy on a patient, a therapist manipulates soft tissues of body to restore health of a patient.

Massage therapy is very effective in toning body, nervous system, elimination of body waste/poison through kidney, bowel, skin and lungs, and improving respiration. Massage therapy is also useful for improving blood circulation, relieving pain, fastening metabolic rate, delaying appearance of facial wrinkles, easing stiffness of body, and toning muscles.

While performing massage a therapist could use oil depending on the condition of the patient. One commonly used oil for massaging is cotton seed oil. For people who are uncomfortable with oil, talcum powder could be used. Also, those having a lot of hair on body may avoid oil for massaging. Ideally, body is massaged for forty- forty five minutes before local part massage of around ten minutes. Once massage is complete, oil must be washed away.

Although massage is very useful for curing several disorders, one must not use massaging for serious inflammatory or tubercular conditions of joints. For less severe conditions of stiff joints and swollen joints, it could be used. Massage must be avoided in conditions of gonorrhea and diphtheria, as massaging could spread pus in the body and could worsen the situation.

Half of the weight of the body is contained in the muscular tissues and a quarter of blood circulates in muscles. Therefore, upon given a massage, the body's blood circulation improves and muscle regenerates to hold half of the blood. Therefore, muscles get nourished as a result of massage and get strengthened. Also, different modes of manipulation help in improving contractile power of muscles. Massage therapy is very effective in curing ailments, yet therapist must assess condition of the patient before providing him with a massage.

Water therapy is a very powerful method to cure a variety of ailments. It involves treatment with water containing sea salts at different combinations of hot and cold water for treating different ailments. Water therapy can be classified in two categories: Hydrotherapy and Water exercise therapy. While water therapy requires special knowledge of the procedure and must be performed under guidance of a trained therapist, Hydrotherapy could also be performed at home for backache. The most popular of water therapies are Enema, Hip bath, Spinal bath, Colon irrigation, Foot bath. Arm bath, Jacuzzi, Steam bath, Whirlpool, Circular bath, underwater massage, Immersion bath, Wet pack etc. Different combinations of hot and cold water are used for various effects for treating different ailments.

Hydrotherapy treatments are very popular in Europe and have been utilized for many years. It involves Sauna, Steam baths, Hot baths and Wraps. Herbs could be added while performing Hydrotherapy. Studies show that soaking body in hot water tub leads to flexibility, less stiffness and lesser use of medications for pain relief. It must be noted that water should not get overheated. Also, people who are sensitive to temperature variations or are diabetics must not perform Hydrotherapy without expert consultation.

Raga (Music) Chikitsa was a treatise written in the ancient times,which highlighted the usage of ragas for treatment of various ailments and the methodology to listen to such ragas for cures.

Raga is referred to as a ‘miracle of microtones’ and the swaras can range between 5 to7 which covers 22 sruti’s in an octave. The flexibility in Indian music provides the performer an opportunity to osculate swaras, which is where Raga music plays the therapeutic role. The frequencies can reach the neighboring swaras which intensifies the listener’s musical experience. Overtime the raga music therapy system can trim a person’s mind and their behavioral pattern.

Every listener will have a connection to their favorite raga emotionally and physically (e.g. nod of the head). The list below provides raga’s which can assist in defusing certain diseases.

Reflexology is the massage of the feet. The feet are divided into zones that represent the whole body. The massage of the nerve endings situated at the bottom of the feet triggers off a response in the body. Thorough stimulation of all reflex areas of the feet reduces stress and tension and creates a space in the recipient’s body for healing to take place.

Therapeutic reflexology is a very popular therapy all over the world and in South Africa in the major cities, but not as well known in the rural areas. A few companies are now employing therapeutic reflexologists on a full time basis.

A micro system is one part of the body that contains a reflection of the whole body. It is believed that there are several micro systems in the human body such as the hands, ears, tongue, and head. In reflexology the body parts are reflected in miniature detail on the feet, with the front of the body on the soles and the back of the body on the top of the feet.

A steambath is a steam-filled room for the purpose of relaxation and cleansing.



Steam baths provide a variety of health and beauty benefits, suitable for almost anyone. Warm, moist heat supplies sink in to the skin, joints and muscles. The skin first responds by opening the pores, cleaning several layers deep into the dermis. Perspiration carrying the body’s toxins can seep out of the enlarged pores with ease. The body reacts by relaxing sore muscles and improving blood flow, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to all areas of the body, even the most delicate capillaries. A steam bath—also called steam shower, hot springs, sweat lodge, wet sauna, hydrotherapy and hot bath—is safe and beneficial for almost every age and medical condition.

The body has 2 ways of removing toxins, through the kidneys and through the skin. Toxins exit the skin via sweat and this is why people use steam baths. Over a period of 5 to 20 minutes in a steam bath, the skin will start sweating out all of the body’s toxins and leave you looking and feeling healthier.

Shirodhara (Shiro – Head, Dhara – Flow) is considered as the most divine of all Ayurvedic therapies. It is an ancient Ayurvedic healing practice performed in India for over 5,000 years. In this wonderful body detox program with relaxation process, the scalp and forehead is caressed with a thin stream of medicated lukewarm oil. Shirodhara treatment is extremely relaxing, rejuvenating and enhances the functioning of the central nervous system. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis, and memory loss. This is one of the most divine therapies which helps in awakening your body’s intuitive knowledge.

Shirodhara is proves to be extremely beneficial for people suffering from Vata and Pitta imbalance. When Vata is out of balance, it exhibits as fear, insecurity, worry or racing thoughts & when there is a Pitta imbalance, it is e exhibited as anger, irritability, frustration or judgment. The action and qualities of the liquid used in Shirodhara counters the qualities of the out of balance doshas. It soothes, nourishes and pacifies the doshas through the application of the liquid to the forehead, scalp and nervous system.

Fasting is abstinence from food or drink consumption, or both, for a specific period of time. The word Fast comes from Feastan in English, which means to observe. In Sanskrit fast is called Vrath. In naturopathy, it is believed that fasting is important for preservation of health. Fasting could be practiced for a long period or could be practiced with intermittent breaks. It is essential to consult a naturopath incase one wishes to proceed with a prolonged fast.

Jal Neti is a technique that was used by yogis to stay disease-free, and most importantly to use the breath well for their yogic practices without any blockages. Just how brushing the teeth is dental hygiene, the practice of Jal Neti is nasal hygiene. This technique uses water to purify and clean the nasal path, right from the nostrils to the throat.

Air Therapy
Air is essential for our survival and fresh air is key to good health. It is advantageous to take air bath every day, i.e. walk in fresh air for atleast 20 minutes with very light clothes on. The effect of air bath is enhanced when it is combined with exercise and cold rub.

Color Therapy
Colors are known to influence behavior and brain of people. Color therapy has been used in Egypt, India and China for centuries. Colors can heal disorders generated out of stress . Every color has a different effect on human mind. For instance, rainbow generates healing effect in human mind and helps in relieving stress. Seven colors of rainbow are related with seven chakras of the body, these chakras are energy centers of the body. Seven colors of rainbow thus resonate with chakras of the body. Energy of all chakras of the body must be balanced for smooth functioning of the body. Colors help in creating this balance of chakras thereby providing good health and healing effect.

Sunlight Therapy
Sunlight therapy has been known to mankind for centuries. Benefits of Sunlight therapy were initially recognized in Ancient text (Vedas). Modern science later confirmed benefits of sunlight on human health and proved its disease fighting properties.