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Cold Shower Cures

Updated: September 11, 2007 6:53 PM EST

Unless you live in a hot climate, this is not one of the more pleasant home therapies listed on this website! However, we've added it to our site because we find the therapy of immense value. The practice of taking cold showers in the morning is extraordinarily revitalizing and has been used therapeutically all over the world for thousands of years.

Gurudev Khar Khalsa, a Sat Nam Rasayan healer and Kundalini Yoga teacher in Los Angeles sent us this information on the healing power of cold showers.

"Cold Water Massage Therapy is the one of the healthiest and inexpensive of therapies. Simply massage the body with almond oil before taking a shower. Shower in cold water until your body temperature rises and no longer feels cold, but toasty and warm. Make sure the bathroom is heated. Never get out of a cold shower into a cold room.

*** Please note: Cold showers should not be taken during a women's time of menstruation. A woman needs extra rest and gentleness during her menses. Taking a cold shower is too much for the reproductive system during menstruation. A lukewarm shower is recommended. Generally speaking, hot showers are not good as they tend to depress the various physiological systems of the body.

Cold showers have the following positive effects:

*Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.

*Cleans the circulatory system.

*Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.

*Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.

*Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

* Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.

* Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs.

Many health problems are reduced or even eliminated over time by providing proper circulation of the blood to the affected area using the cold shower massage.

"Ishnan" is the term used in the old days when people in India referred to cold showers (very cold showers). "Ishnan" is the point at which the body, by its own virtue, creates the temperature that it can beat off the coldness of the water. This happens when the capillaries open with the onset of the cold water. They close again during the course of the cold shower and it is at that point that all the blood rushes back to flush the organs and the glands. This process allows the glands to renew their secretions and "youth" (i.e. young glands) again returns to the body. "

COLD SHOWER TIPS FROM OUR READERS
5/17/2007: Adil ([email protected]) from New York, USA writes: "I find taking cold showers hard (painful), but I discovered something that significantly helps: Bring a few ice cubes in a glass with you to the shower and keep an ice cube in your mouth as you shower. Take another when it melts."

READER FEEDBACK -- THANK YOU!

102 YEA 1 Nay

NAY
5/5/2007: Holly ([email protected]) from Anderson, IN writes: "we lost our heat and hot water for a while (it's a long story) and the cold showers just didn't work for us at all....trust me, unless its really hot where you live, just take a warm one--unless you don't make it super-cold, a little chilly usually helps me out."

COLD BATHS VS COLD SHOWERS
2/16/2007: Araeshkigal from Hurst, TX writes, "I first started taking cold showers as a suggested remedy for migraines. It more than worked. It also helped alleviate skin breakouts, regular muscle cramping, and some blood pressure issues (I changed nothing else in diet or exercise to be sure this was what was having the effects) I find it's best to start barely warm and slowly get to cold. If you can't stand ice cold at first just go "on the cool side" till you get a tolerance. You don't have to *freeze* to get the benefits. Also I find cold baths do *not* have the same therapeutic effect as cold showers (anyone else?) "

9/1/2007: Doris from Murfreesboro, Tennessee writes: "To answer Araeshkigal from Hurst, TX regarding cold baths. I took one several years ago because I heard it would help the immune system. Well, I got the flu and missed work for a week. I haven't tried the cold showers yet. I'm afraid I'll get sick again."

YEA

9/11/2007: Jody from Portland, ME writes: "I came upon this site and now I think I am hooked on this idea of cold showers instead of hot. I took one last night and one this morning and I am feeling the effects already. This morning I took a cold shower when I arrived at work after biking in and it seemed to really wake up my senses to get me ready for the day. I really enjoy cold water swims so I knew I would enjoy these cold showers as well. I am going to take one at night and one in the morning from now on."

9/8/2007: Mike Creauxwave from Cincinnati, ID writes:" I TOOK A COLD SHOWER BEFORE BREAKFAST (ON AN EMPTY STOMACH) AND IT INSTANTLY CURED MY LOOSE STOOLS. MOREOVER, IT CURED MY LOOSENED HEAD ACHES AND NAUSEA FOREVER. DROWSINESS, ACNE, ORANGE, STIFF JOINTS, LOOSE AND STIFF STOOLS, SORE THROATS, FEVERS, STRESS, TIRED BLOOD, HAUNTED. I HAVE ALSO BEEN LOSING WEIGHT AT AN ALARMING RATE. GOUT."

9/3/2007: Brian from Irvine, California writes: re: Cold Showers -- I just took 2 of them yesterday and they felt pretty good. The water probably isn't that cold since its summer and I'm in Southern California though.

I remember taking a cold shower one time right after a brisk run and that one felt amazing. Actually, I ran intensely for about 15 minutes, then quickly smoked a cigarette right after, and immediately ran in the house and took a cold shower. At first, I was just enjoying the cold water as a much as I could. I had severe palpitations but it felt wonderful. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody though since I'm guessing there is a risk of heart damage or failure. I haven't tried again since then either.

For the people who are wondering if they should try a cold bath or shower, they should consider how cold their cold water is. My cold water is not that cold right now because its 100F outside, so bath water may warm too quickly for me. But if your water is super cold - somewhere in South Argentina during this time - immersing your entire body in ice cold water might weaken your immune system too much. The shower provides a stream of water at a consistent controlled temperature and exposes only parts of your body to the cold at a time."

9/2/2007: Aron from Cluj-Napoca, Romania writes: "I started taking cold showers about five weeks ago. I started with Scottish showers (hot/cold) and then after a couple of days I tried the cold ones. I just love them: it gives me enough energy to last throughout the day and my overall mood has improved.Now my daily routine includes a Scottish shower in the morning and a cold one before I go to sleep. Usually it takes no more than 10 minutes to shower. I start from the feet, arms, armpits and then the chest. In the beginning I expected to catch a cold, which didn't happen(good thing), although I sneeze a lot more(bad thing). I've discovered that I have less BO and I am cleaner after showering, although I don't use soap or duche gel.Also, for the ones who want to try it: take it easy; go from hot to lukewarm, and then gradually go to cold. Try it for 3 weeks and then decide if you don't like them. Try it."

9/1/2007: Leon from Wichita, ks writes: "I take two cold showers a day so that I can take a cold shower in the morning to stay awake all day and a cold one at night to sleep at night. It really helps me to avoid naps and it helps me to stay asleep at night."

... and a ton of testimonials at
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Let me tell you my personal observations as the OP of this thread.

My husband has suffered from a chronic allergic cough for nearly thirty years. In that time he tried everything from over-the-counter remedies to visits to ENT specialists who wanted to do a tonsillectomy. NO ONE could figure out what exactly he was allergic to! A friend told him to start taking cold baths right in the morning, and he did. DH has been free of all signs of cough, cold and what have you for nearly a year now, and what's more - it doesn't matter how nasty the strains are, he just NEVER catches the flu anymore!!

This worked so good I decided to try it with my 4-year old. He's always been delicate, and you know how kids tend to pick up infections from other kids in pre-school. Every morning, I start off with lukewarm water, gradually turning it down by degrees until by the end of the bath it's really, really, shivering cold. I can perceive the invigorating effects of this exercise almost immediately - incredible energy levels the moment he steps out of the bath - and to top it all, no flu and no colds since I started 4 months ago! Amazing, but it's true!! The constant runny nose is a thing of the past, and the allergic cough and asthma he would develop every other week has disappeared.

Try it!