Hydrotherapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where the royalty bathed in large, warm pools of water mixed with essential oils and flowers.

Hydrotherapy was also popular in India, Japan and China where natural hot springs rich in minerals were often used to cleanse the body and soul of its impurities.

Modern hydrotherapy in Europe started in the 1700’s, with Vincent Priessnitz, an Austrian farmer who prescribed combinations of “water, food & air” in place of traditional medicine to cure common ailments and health issues.

Epsom salt is named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England. It is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. It has been long used as a natural remedy for a number of ailments.

Please enjoy this interview that I gave for spabreaks.

Melanie Waxman is the type of mum you thought only existed in the pages of Cotswold kitchen catalogues – think earth mother with a hint of free spirit and a juxtaposing soupçon of city-girl spark.  Living close to Philadelphia she writes, cooks and teaches the art of macrobiotic living; but this isn’t a woman promoting an inaccessible fad, Waxman lives by the practice she preaches and has proved its workability by raising her own children on the lifestyle … all seven of them!

The Spirit of Being Quiet

Meditation and prayer are ways in which you can connect with your spiritual source and learn to trust in your own inner wisdom and intuition. Learning how to be quiet will help you to feel at peace and align with your higher self. Sitting quietly for a few minutes can recharge your energy and make for a smooth running day. It can also help you to cope with the physical and emotional changes that pregnancy brings.

As I get older I realize that I am not one for the bitter chilly weather. I grew up in damp, dark England, not meaning to put it down or anything, rather to prove a point to myself that I should be able to cope with the cold. However here in Pennsylvania, which, let’s face it, isn’t the coldest spot in the universe, I find myself feeling the occasional blues as soon as January hits. There are days when getting up in dark mornings with a slight chill in the bedroom is totally uninspiring.

This simple hot towel rub was used in Japan and Europe to rejuvenate and beautify the skin. Unlike dry skin brushing or loofahs, which works only the surface of the skin, the hot towel rub also stimulates the muscles and the internal organs. The rub can be done on a daily basis both during and after pregnancy. While you are pregnant, it helps to prevent stretch marks and the build up of cellulite. Afterwards, it can help to keep your skin healthy and enable it to regain its natural elasticity.