Bathing from the Viewpoint of Ayurveda

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Ayurveda advocates the warm water bath; Yoga advises the use of cold water.

The body cools minutes after exposure to hot water as the blood

vessels which dilated with heat contract in reaction. A cold shower has the

opposite effect, making you warm within a few minutes as the vessels

constricted by the cold dilate. "

A good compromise for Vatta people, who require heat, is to luxuriate in a

warm bath or shower, and after imbibing enough heat to feel warm, to

rinse at the end with cold water to help them preserve the warmth. Pitta people

should if possible adapt themselves to cool showers and baths, to help

remove their excess heat. Kapha types should adapt to cool water, to invigorate

themselves. No one should bathe for at least an hour after eating to

avoid drawing blood away from the gut where it is required for digestion.

Bathing should be temporarily avoided in case of diarrhea, distention,

chronic cold, indigestion, and in most acute diseases in which Ama (residue of

incomplete mental or physical digestion) predominates.

Intensely hot water applied directly to the head drains strength from the

sense organs. While shampoo may be used regularly for the hair and

scalp, soap should be used on the body only in case of real grime, as it robs

the skin of its protective mantle and encourages the growth of bacteria

which cause body odor. Soap is especially bad for mucus membranes (anus,

genitals, nipples, etc.). Instead of soap, clay or bar-ley or chickpea flour

should be used to soak up the oil left after the mas-sage and the sweat left

after the exercise. Also, flour draws out the wastes excreted by the

system after massage and exercise and tones the skin without drying it or

leaving a soap film. Soap should never be used on most skin diseases.

If you have not applied oil to your whole body you can incorporate oil into

the paste. Mix half a cup of oil with a cup of chickpea, barley or

even wheat flour, and add one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder to

assist in skin purification. Add just enough water to make it a thick

but spreadable paste and apply it evenly, rubbing it in as you apply. If

possible let it dry until it begins to crack. This acts as a mask, or pack,

for the whole body.

A mental bath should always accompany the physical bath, to awaken the mind

and enkindle its digestive fires. In India specific Mantras have been

allocated for this purpose. Devotional songs, hymns, or in fact any song or

chant which you enjoy will help satisfy your mind, and will make for a

more satisfying bath.

 

----From Prakruti by Robert Svoboda

 

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