In the time of Asclepius temples in Greece, hot mineral water baths were very popular and effective places for healing until they were sacked by early Christians who considered them pagan. The legacy of the healing temples is the succeeding European and early American tradition of ” taking the waters” at a spa. In present day France hot mineral baths are considered mainstream medical therapy and are paid for by the French health plan under doctor’s prescriptions.

Indigenous tribes in N. America and across the world viewed hot mineral spas as healing grounds with magical curative properties. Most Chumash Villages on the California central coast, including the original Chumash capital in Santa Barbara (near the present day Bath Street) were established around hot springs. Most hot springs in the US have been privatized or paved over and only a relatively few remain available for public use. My shaman brother told me the shaman perspective that a person can get the full measure of healing from them when he or she honors the presiding deity of the subject hot spring.

Bathing (even in cold water) has been recognized by cultures and religions as mandated or beneficial. Think of baptism, the Jewish Mikvah, and the daily ritual Ganges River bathing of Hindu Shavites.

The study of the effect of hot springs is called bainology yet few scientifically validated studies have been published. It has however been established that hot bathing helps regulate blood pressure and reduces stress. Bath salt increases the un-stressing effect on muscles. Various springs have various mineral content yet all are traditionally said to be curative. Lately it intuitively occurred to me that mineral content has a secondary positive impact. The real cure must simply be: HOT WATER!

Thinking about it: for most of history until the mid 20th century very few populations had the ability to access a tub full of hot water to bathe in except for hot springs. One can argue that fires could heat water but only the very wealthy could take advantage of that. When hot water bathing became economical for the masses the advent of the shower meant that most people did not partake even if they could.

If you do not do so already, try bathing frequently in hot water, preferably with magnesium salts. See if anything changes. It’s moisture and heat that can help anything.

-Dr. Cow (Errol Ishwara Cowan)