Hydrotherapy Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective

Categories / Herbal-action / Respiratory-Health / hydrotherapy

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON HYDROTHERAPY

Uses water in various forms (liquid, steam, or ice) to promote health and wellness. Includes baths, steam, etc.

Introduction to Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy, also known as water therapy, is a therapeutic practice that uses water in various forms (liquid, steam, or ice) to promote health and wellness. Its roots can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations.

Hydrotherapy is typically used for respiratory conditions, arthritis, skin conditions, and relaxation.

Hydrotherapy is based on water's ability to:

Conduct Heat or Cold - Water can transfer heat or cold to stimulate or soothe the body. Hot water promotes relaxation, increases blood circulation, and alleviates muscle tension. Cold water reduces inflammation, numbs pain, and invigorates the body.
Relieves Effects of Gravity - Buoyancy reduces the effects of gravity, relieving stress on joints and muscles. This makes hydrotherapy particularly effective for individuals with arthritis or mobility issues.
Exert Hydrostatic Pressure - Water pressure can improve blood flow and lymphatic circulation, promoting detoxification and healing.

Types of Hydrotherapy Techniques

Baths - Additives like Epsom salts, essential oils, or herbal infusions can enhance the therapeutic effects.
Compresses = Hot or cold wet cloths applied to specific body parts to relieve pain, inflammation, or tension.
Contrast Therapy - Alternating hot and cold water applications to stimulate circulation and reduce swelling.
Steam Therapy - Saunas, steam rooms, or facial steamers help detoxify the skin, clear sinuses, and promote relaxation.

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH HYDROTHERAPY QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System

Reduces
Humidifier
Reduces
Epsom Salt Bath
Hot Bath
Hot Foot Soak
Hot Shower
Inhale Steam
Sitz Bath
Steam Chamber / Box
Tube or Jet Sweat Therapy

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING RESPIRATORY-HEALTH

HELPFUL FOR*

'Hydrotherapy' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

Learn More

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

Hydrotherapy - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON HYDROTHERAPY

Introduction to Hydrotherapy

Types of Hydrotherapy Techniques

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH HYDROTHERAPY QUALITY

Reduces

Reduces

Diaphoretic DIAPHORETIC An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin. SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

DIAPHORETIC

Flushes Sinuses FLUSHES-SINUSES An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus. SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

FLUSHES-SINUSES

Vasodilator VASODILATOR A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area. SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

VASODILATOR

Clears Sinuses CLEARS-SINUSES Cleanses sinuses by draining excess mucus, allowing for clear, easy breathing. SEE ALL 'CLEARS-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

CLEARS-SINUSES

Decongestant DECONGESTANT An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes. SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

DECONGESTANT

Expectorant EXPECTORANT Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract. SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

EXPECTORANT

Bronchodilator BRONCHODILATOR An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma. SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

BRONCHODILATOR

Mucolytic MUCOLYTIC An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus. SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

MUCOLYTIC

Cardiac Stimulant CARDIAC-STIMULANT Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area. SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODIC Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS. SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

ANTISPASMODIC

Relieves Tension RELIEVES-TENSION An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle. SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

RELIEVES-TENSION

Muscle Relaxant MUSCLE-RELAXANT Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma. SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Flushes Membranes FLUSHES-MEMBRANES Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out. SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Warms Chest WARMS-CHEST Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent. SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

WARMS-CHEST

Warms Head WARMS-HEAD An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head. SEE ALL 'WARMS-HEAD' FOODS / HERBS

WARMS-HEAD

Liquefied LIQUEFIED Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

LIQUEFIED

Hot HOT Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

HOT

Clear CLEAR Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

CLEAR

Pungent PUNGENT Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

PUNGENT

Aromatic AROMATIC Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues. SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

AROMATIC

Anti Aging ANTI-AGING Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin. SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

ANTI-AGING

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING RESPIRATORY-HEALTH

HELPFUL FOR*

Respiratory Health

Mind Stress Sleep

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Diaphoretic
DIAPHORETIC
An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.
SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Sinuses
FLUSHES-SINUSES
An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.
SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

Vasodilator
VASODILATOR
A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.
SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Clears Sinuses
CLEARS-SINUSES
Cleanses sinuses by draining excess mucus, allowing for clear, easy breathing.
SEE ALL 'CLEARS-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

Decongestant
DECONGESTANT
An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.
SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

Expectorant
EXPECTORANT
Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.
SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Bronchodilator
BRONCHODILATOR
An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.
SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Mucolytic
MUCOLYTIC
An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.
SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant
CARDIAC-STIMULANT
Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.
SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic
ANTISPASMODIC
Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.
SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Tension
RELIEVES-TENSION
An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.
SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant
MUSCLE-RELAXANT
Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.
SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Membranes
FLUSHES-MEMBRANES
Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.
SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

Warms Chest
WARMS-CHEST
Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.
SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

Warms Head
WARMS-HEAD
An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head.
SEE ALL 'WARMS-HEAD' FOODS / HERBS

Liquefied
LIQUEFIED
Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.
SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

Hot
HOT
Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.
SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

Clear
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

Pungent
PUNGENT
Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.
SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic
AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Aging
ANTI-AGING
Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS