Diet & Health: A Daily Diet to Regain Health

water and use cold water, especially down the spine, as a final shower. This closes the pores and one does not catch cold after the bath. Even though there is no danger of this in the summer time, a cold rinse is always refreshing and invigorating. While the body is still wet, rub the entire body, including the face, with olive or almond oil, or some good body oil. It takes very little to cover the entire body - by first blending a small amount in the wet hands, then rubbing them over the face, arms, legs and body. This dissolves certain types of gummy substances on the skin, which water and soap will not remove. Then briskly rub the body dry with a towel. In fact, the body will be practically dry by then, but a brisk rub with the bath towel is also beneficial. The body will then feel refreshed and cleaner than ever before.

People with LOW BLOOD PRESSURE, poor circulation and low right pulse should not take full hot baths. They need cold water as one stream down the spine, to tone the capillaries and the vasoconstrictor muscles, which control them. Repeat this cold water application several times, for ten seconds each, at the end of a warm bath, as described above under "Baths."

People with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Hot water applications and baths are for high blood pressure and for pains, spasms, and for dilating tense capillaries. A hot sitz bath for pains in the lower back is a good relief measure. Always follow this with a general quick cold shower to close the pores, plus the oil rub while the body is still wet. To curl up in the tub with hot water covering the torso, legs resting out on the tub, gives one a good sweat, and may be taken for ten minutes or so, then shower off and follow up with the oil rub. This is a good daily health measure and is very refreshing.

The foregoing, in brief, is a simple routine to regain health. Stretching, mild exercise, deep breathing and walking are also very helpful. (See Part II of this volume.)