Mud Therapy

by Vibudhah October 02, 2011 0 comments article E-Paper health MUD Prakritik Chikitsa tips

Earth was used extensively for remedial purposes in ancient times as well as the middle ages. In modern times, it again came into prominence as it was discovered to have remarkable effects to refresh, invigorate and vitalize the human body; especially during the night. It was believed that for wounds and skin diseases, application of clay or moistened earth was the only true natural bandage. Thus, the sleeping or lying on the earth at night became customary in the curing of diseases. By doing this, the entire body is aroused from its lethargy to a new manifestation of vital energy, so that it can now effectively remove old morbid matter and masses of old faeces from the intestines, and receive a sensation of new health, new life and new vigour and strength. Mud Therapy includes Mud bath, Mud pack and others.

Going barefooted all day long, except when it is very cold, is also regarded as a valuable step towards achieving good health and true happiness. Men can draw vital energy and strength out of the earth by going bare footed as often as possible, especially on the bare ground. However, in rooms with painted floors it is better to wear slippers, since the painted floor affects the body adversely if one walks on it with bare soles. The importance of earth has become prominent around the world today. People believe that healing power is strong in leaves and herbs, powerful in the air, but very powerful indeed in the earth. People practising the earth cure bury themselves in the earth upto their necks, leave them there for some hours, and then remove them. It is presumed that the body draws unto itself the healing minerals and some of the earth`s magnetism. Let us understand the uses of the Mud therapy as a natural healing power:
1. Mud Pack: The nature cure practitioners at present are making increasing use of moistened earth in the treatment of diseases. This mode of treatment is normally adopted in conjunction with a proper scheme of dietary and other natural therapies. The most important benefit of the mudpacks is the retention of moisture and coolness for longer periods than cold-water pack or compresses. The cold moisture in the mudpacks relaxes the pores of the skin, draws the blood into the surface, relieves inner congestion and pain, and promotes heat radiation and elimination of morbid matter.

A mudpack is prepared with clay obtained from about ten cms below the surface of the earth, after ensuring that it does not contain any impurities such as compost or pebbles. The clay is then made into a smooth paste with warm water. This is allowed to cool and then spread on a strip of cloth, the size of which may vary according to requirements. The dimensions of the pack meant for application on the abdomen are generally 20 cm x 10cm x 2.5cm for adults. The mud bandage, after being placed on the body, should be covered with flannel or other protective material. The pack is applied for 10 to 30 minutes.

The Mud pack is effective in decreasing the external heat and breaking up the morbid matter. It also aids the inactivity of labour pains, and for this purpose, the pack may be renewed every hour or two. The mudpack is also helpful as an alternate treatment. The area under treatment is first given fomentation for five to 10 minutes until it is well heated. Mud is then applied directly to the skin for five to 15 minutes, depending upon the reaction required.
2. Mud Bath: Mud or clay bath is another mode of treatment. It is applied in the same way as packs, but only on a larger scale on the entire body. In this, mud or clay is first ground and sifted to remove all impurities, and then made into a smooth paste mixed with hot water. The paste is then spread on a sheet, which in turn is wrapped round the body. One or two blankets are then wrapped over this, is followed with a cleansing warm water bath and a short cold shower depending on the temperature of the room and that of the pack. A mud bath is followed with a cleansing warm water bath and a short cold shower. The mud bath is found to tone up the skin by increasing the circulation and energizing the skin tissues. The duration of the bath should be from 30 minutes to one hour. Care should also be taken to avoid the patient catching a chill during the bath. Mud Applications also form a vital part of natural beauty treatment.


Mud Therapy is used as an alternative treatment to cure many diseases like pain in joints, rheumatism, arthritis or any aches and also to tone down overweight. The mud therapy can be done with specific type mud only. Certain types of mud contain a higher amount of minerals and plant residues, which is the main reason for its medicinal property. Mud therapy was practiced by Ancient Greeks to treat different kinds of ailments. The medicinal property of the mud comes from the plant residues that have been deposited in the soil over a long period of time. The composition of mud varies depending on the content of its plant mineral and material.

There are beneficial components of mud, which penetrates through the skin, enter the blood flow and thus circulates throughout the body. By mud bath the very fine nerve endings situated in the outer part of the skin are stimulated which in turn activates the whole nervous system. The mud gets dried easily over the skins that help to cleanse the skin and thus the effects of mud bath is very inspiring. This effect is similar to effect of vigorous exercise. Mud bath enhances the heart rate, assist in sweating, speed up circulation and thus help the body to get rid of the toxins and impurities inside the body. The mud therapy can help in overall toning of the body. Sometimes in some mud therapy mud extracts are given to drink for the purpose of removing digestive disorders and stomach ulcers. Mud therapy is beneficial for treating certain disorders like arthritis, rheumatism, skin problem, infertility etc.

The mud therapy and the spa treatments helps to clear up pathological agents of the body and helps to combat the stress of daily life. Mud therapy is useful for losing excess weight, detoxifying of the body, toning and revitalizing the skin. A mud therapy treatment cycle lasts for one to two weeks. This package includes applying of six to twelve mudpacks on a daily or regular basis. Sometimes doctors instruct for some interruption to make the treatment more bearable for the patients. Normally Mud Therapy is done once a year but based on the needs it can be done twice a year but there should be always an interval of 4 to 5 months between one cycle of the treatment and another cycle.

Mud therapy treatment in performed in special rooms, where the patients go in an empty stomach wearing only a bathrobe. The people in charge of the treatment make the necessary arrangements according to the timetable. The mud used is a mixture of an organic solid component mixed with mineral water and then left for several months to `mature`. The mud is heated to 50 degree centigrade before it is applied to the body. After applying the Mud pack, the client is wrapped up to prevent any heat dispersion. The treatment is finished with the client having a therapeutic thermal bath or shower followed after ten to fifteen minutes of relaxation.

Mud Therapy is a naturopathy, which is used to treat chronic inflammation caused by internal diseases, sprains, bruises, wounds and boils. Most of the naturopathy practitioners use moistened earth to cure various diseases. Earth, which is used in the Mud Therapy, can be obtained from ant-hills or riverbeds. The earth should be pounded well and sieved to remove stones or coarse particles of sand contained in it. The common types of therapeutic mud are-

Moor - Peat-based organic muds.
Fango - Thermal muds of hot springs.
Brine muds - Highly saline coastal muds.
Healing clay - Usually swelling mineral clays.
The mud therapy can be done in two modes-
Mud Packs- To prepare proper mudpack, clay is collected from ten centimeter below the surface of the earth and it is ensured that there is no pebbles or compost. The clay is then made a smooth paste by mixing it with warm water. The paste is then allowed to cool and spread on a strip of cloth. The size of the cloth may vary according to the requirements.

The mudpack treatment is useful in the diseases related to general weakness and or nervous disorders. Mudpack is beneficial for headaches, eye troubles, swelling, stomach trouble, kidney disorder, gout, rheumatism etc.

Mudpack is an alternative mode of treatment. The area under treatment is given fomentation (warm moist medicinal compress or poultice) for five minutes until it is well heated. Mud is then directly applied on the skin for fifteen minutes or other time span, depending on the degree of reaction required. Hot and cold therapies are used to relieve chronic pains, intestinal cramps and lumbago. The alternate application of mud help to cure from the problems rose due to flatulence and intestinal obstructions. It is beneficial for curing colitis, enteritis, amoebiosis and other diseases caused by bacteria.

Mud Bath- Mud Bath is another way of the alternative treatment. It follows the same procedure of Mud pack but in a larger scale on the entire body. A cleansing water bath and cold shower is taken after the mud bath.

The Mud Bath tones up the skin as it enhances blood circulation and energizes the skin tissue. Frequent Mud Bath is very effective in skin treatment and cosmetology as it improves complexion, clear spots and patches on the skin. Various skin diseases like psoriasis, leucoderma and even leprosy can be cured by Mud Bath. The bath is also effective in getting relief from rheumatic pains or pains caused by injuries.

The duration of the Mud Bath should be from thirty minutes to one hour. Care should be taken so that the patient does not catch cold during the Mud Bath.