Effects of 12 sessions of steam bath intervention on spirometry parameters among healthy adult volunteers

Objectives Steam bath is extensively used around the world. However, its physiological influence is not understood in detail. Objective of the current study is to examine the effects of 12 sessions of steam bath on spirometric parameters among healthy participants. Methods Forty healthy adult volunteers of both sex (14 male and 26 female) aged 26.38 ± 8 years participated in the study. A steam bath session (10–15 min) was given once a week for 12 weeks. The spirometric parameters [forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1, L), forced vital capacity (FVC, L), FEV1/FVC ratio (absolute value), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF, L/s) and peak expiratory flow (PEF, L/s)] were measured by Helios 401 spirometer. Results Compared to baseline, post-intervention spirometric parameters showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in the FVC (82.40 ± 11.24 to 96.91 ± 18.76), FEV1 (86.13 ± 14.39 to 91.17 ± 12.48), FEV1/FVC ratio (86.96 ± 3.64 to 93.75 ± 4.80), MMEF 25–75% (86.96 ± 3.64 to 94.16 ± 11.57), peak expiratory flow rate (79.82 ± 14.90 to 92.18 ± 18.96). Conclusions Taking steam bath improves the spirometric parameters of healthy adult participants. However, future randomized controlled trials with on a large scale have to done to validate our findings.

Study Ethnomedicine Betimun: The Traditional Steam Bath Herb of Saibatin Sub-tribe, Lampung

The study revealed as many as 6 species from 3 families used in the preparation of betimun herb, Zingiberaceae was the family with the highest number of species (4 species). The used part of all plant species was leaves, while the acquisition source was from homegarden. The betimun herb was made by boiling the plants leaves. The usage way by confining the user with a sarong then the herb placed between his/her legs. Biological activities contained in the secondary metabolite compound composition of betimun herb were anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, aromatherapy, anti-oxidant, anti-glycation, sedative, anti-hypertensive, and astringent. This study proved that the betimun concoction has roles in eliminating body odor, fatigue, and aches; preventing and treating vaginal discharge; recovering the postpartum women's condition; slowing down the aging process, and accelerating the metabolic process. Betimun concoction potentially to be developed as a ready-use product such as phyto-simplicia.

Perinatal Rites in the Ritual of the Bacabs, a Colonial Maya Manuscript

Pregnancy and childbirth were among indigenous Maya women’s most dangerous life experiences, with very high maternal and perinatal death rates from pre-Hispanic times through the first decades of the twentieth century. This article contributes to the knowledge of colonial Yucatec Maya women through the interpretation of documentary evidence of three indigenous rites meant to facilitate women’s perinatal health and successful childbirth. This evidence is contained in the eighteenth-century collection of healing chants known as the “ritual of the bacabs.” The chants include those for cooling the steam bath used in indigenous perinatal treatments, for difficulty in childbirth, and for rites surrounding the disposal of the afterbirth. Through an analysis that combines philological approaches with ethnographic interviews of contemporary Maya speakers, this article provides new insights into the intersection between ritual and culture-specific notions of the body among the colonial Maya.

Kombinasi Herbal Steam Bath dan Massage Terapi pada Ibu Nifas dalam Mencegah Post Partum Blues

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a combination of herbal steam bath and massage therapy as a way to prevent post partum blues of postpartum mothers. This type of quasi experiment research design with pre-test and post-test control group. The results of the study, herbal steam bath and massage therapy are more effective than conventional puerperal care in the prevention of post partum blues with a p-value <0.05. Conclusion, Herbal steam bath and massage therapy can be used as an alternative therapy in the prevention of post partum blues. Keywords: Herbal Steam Bath, Massage therapy, Postpartum Blues, Postpartum Blues

Gautama Buddha as a VaidyaRaj- with special reference to Mahavaggapali

Medical use to natural plants and food stuff in Buddha Period. The Buddha kalin Literature disclose that when ever Buddha came across to any of his ailing disciple/monk, he preached for taking certain type of Food and drinks. Prepared from natural plants and vegetable. Oils also prepared with a mixture of wine, was also allowed as Medicine. Steam bath was allowed for rheumatic troubles.

Hypertension and its Management through Alternative Regimes of Unani Medicine

Blood pressure or hypertension has become one of the leading medical issues among people all over the world. High blood pressure, if not controlled can lead to a many other related problems. Among them are kidney disease, heart failure, eye problems, strokes, and heart attacks. Alternative traditional regimes have proved to be highly successful in lowering high blood pressure and also promoting good health and wellness among patients. Hypertension or high blood pressure is typically caused when the blood thickens and becomes heavier over time. However in few people also have a larger volume of blood circulating in their bodies that causes blood pressure levels to rise. Cupping therapy and steam bath are non-invasive form of treatment, and works to eliminate the root causes of high blood pressure and draw out the thick and stagnant blood so that pure, light blood can circulate more freely.

Kese and Tellak: Cultural Framings of Body Treatments in the ‘Turkish Bath’

Using water for body treatments has an especially long tradition in many cultures and, is deeply intertwined with Roman and Ottoman culture. However, it is clear that today it is not possible to attribute bathing – not even a specific type of bathing, such as the hammam steam bath – to one particular culture (ignoring the obvious problems associated with trying to delineate clearly between such blurred constructs as a specific culture or as a discrete entity). Thus, the ‘Turkish bath’ is a widely used term introduced to Europe in the eighteenth century or applied to various different manifestations. The term reflects the European perception of Turkish bathing culture, primarily connected with bathing within a hammam complex or – as the Turkish term goes – a hammami. Bathing in the hammam-style is rather a Roman cultural practice, an element adapted and integrated in Ottoman culture and readapted thereafter into modern Western culture. It is often believed that these practices are rooted in the cultural history of the present state of Turkey (although ancient ‘Turkish bath’ architecture famously exists in Greece or Albania, too1). Furthermore, the geographical or architectural nexus between mosques and hammams and, also, the temporal order of Islamic culture (in which visiting a hammam before various ritual occasions is required) have often suggested seeing the Turkish bath as a religious custom.