Earth is one of the five natural forces or elements or the pancha mahabhoota, the other elements being Water, Fire, Air and Sky or Ether. From time immemorial, Indians and people of many other great ancient world cultures have worshipped all these elements. While Fire, Air and Sky are worshipped in the male form, Earth and Water are worshipped in the female form. The reason for this is obvious: mud and water nourish all living things, in the same way that a mother does. Which is also why we call her Mother Earth.

All these elements have healing powers and are employed in Drugless Therapies and Naturopathy in some form or the other. As a drugless therapy, Mud Therapy holds the pride of place. The Rig-Veda and Atharva Veda have given extensive coverage to the properties of mud and its efficacy in curing diseases, especially of the skin. One can therefore assume that Mud Therapy is as old as the Vedas.

It is for its life-giving and life-sustaining qualities that Earth is revered by not only Eastern and other ancient cultures, but also Westerners. If one were to observe certain rituals that are performed routinely, this would become apparent. Touching the forehead to the ground, is one such ritual. One must have seen many sportsmen, even from western countries kiss the earth, after winning a game. The first thing that Pope John Paul II, did on returning to his native Poland, after assuming Papal office, was to kiss the earth after alighting from the aircraft.

The magnetic properties of mud

Mud holds a prominent place in many Hindu rituals. A careful study of the traditional rituals practised by various other cultures would make it apparent that they have a slant towards health, hygiene, prevention and cure of diseases. For instance, earthen pots and lamps are indispensable in all religious rituals. Chhat festival, which is celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and many parts of UP, has the tradition of using freshly made pots and lamps for the rituals. Using fresh pots emphasizes the health and hygiene aspects especially since the festival is celebrated in highly crowded places. The Tamil festival of Pongal also sees the use of newly baked earthen pots to make the pongal.

Cooking and storing food in mud containers is also recommended for the same reason. Water is still stored in earthen pots in our country despite the invasion of water coolers and refrigerators, because the water stored in earthen pots is not only naturally cool, but also imbibes the magnetic properties of the earth of which they are made. It is for this reason that new pots replace old ones regularly.

The use of mud in ancient forms of medicine:

Herbal medical practitioners used mud to great effect. Even today, traditional practitioners of Ayurveda and Siddha only use mud pots and containers to prepare herbal medicines, because mud enhances the curative properties of the herbs used. Earthen containers holding herbal medicinal preparations are sometimes even buried underground for specific periods, wrapped in mud-soaked cloth, to get the maximum benefit of the mineral and magnetic properties of earth in curing certain incurable diseases.

The energy generated by the magnetic forces of the earth has the property to regenerate even the degenerated discs of the spinal column. Mud baths under medical supervision can achieve all this and more. Tribals in Africa and the tropical jungles cover their bodies with mud to prevent stings from insect and bites of poisonous reptiles.

The antibiotic properties of mud are remarkable. The positive ions of toxins in the human body can be attracted by the negative ions found in the mud, which are then absorbed to relieve congestion and inflammation.

The beneficial effects of mud on the human body are numerous. If one were to explain them scientifically, one can say that mud therapy in any form is effective in the functioning of leukocytes, phagocytes and the function of serums. The immuno-biological activity of mud helps arrest diseases and promote health. Its bio-stimulating effect acts upon the vegetative endocrine system. This effect, in turn, is felt on the physiological and immuno-biological function of the connective tissue. Mud packs applied over the heart for 10 to 15 minutes at a time strengthen the heart muscles and relieve tension.

Imbibing the properties of mud through the skin

Till today, many pilgrims walk barefoot on their yatras. This is an excellent example of mud therapy. In many temples in the South, pilgrims roll on the ground as they do parikarma, as a form of penance, to fulfil a vow, mostly to cure diseases. As the body comes in contact with the earth, the electro-magnetic properties of the earth revitalise the exhausted body and mind, thus effecting a cure, which may even appear miraculous at times.

Animals, both domesticated and wild one, take periodic mud baths, by rolling on the dry earth. Even elephants give themselves a ‘shower bath’ of sand and mud. Closer home, cattle and goats lie on the earth whenever they are tired and get refreshed in a short while. Even dogs roll on the earth, giving themselves a refreshing ‘mud bath’. Buffaloes, caked in sticky mud, are a common sight in villages. Not only do they wallow in muddy water but stay in the wet mud for hours. The wet and sticky mud prevents their thick skin from cracking in the heat.

Children love playing in the mud. We have to see to believe how getting dirty in wet mud gives them such glee. It is because they instinctively realise that mud has refreshing properties and makes them feel good, though the mothers would disagree! Today, mud play for children is being recognised in western countries as beneficial to both the physical and mental health of the child.

Mud Therapy is used with great effect on human beings too in traditional medicine. Care should however be taken to see that the mud used is clean and free from contamination. Also, it should be done under supervision of a trained medical professional.

The therapeutic value of earth or mud, especially its properties to keep the skin clear and blemish-free, is immense. Sadhus of India smear their bodies with earth before taking a dip in the rivers. This treatment is now practised in elite beauty parlours, in the form of mudpacks and mud baths, which are used to firm up sagging skin and give sparkle to the skin. Various types of mud like China clay, Multani clay, red and black clay, silt and sand are used in treating a host of diseases. Mud and sand baths are given to the whole body to treat certain diseased conditions. Dead Sea mud, which has many minerals, including sulphur and magnesium, is used specially in treating skin disorders as well as joint pains. It is widely used in the cosmetic industry, as well as in health spas around the world.

Mud Therapy – A part of Naturopathy

Mud therapy is a major part of treatment in most Naturopathy facilities around the country, used with other drugless therapies, and is not a standalone treatment for diseases. Moreover, it is to be practised only by a trained professional of Naturopathy at a Centre with all facilities found in any good hospital, to take care of any emergency. Also, the mud used for treatment has to meet stringent conditions to prevent harmful side-effects, especially in today’s polluted world, where contamination is a real threat. Sand packs for eyes, for instance, has to be made with river or sea sand dug from a particular depth, cleaned and then sieved through fine muslin before being used. So please do not try self-treatment. There are many excellent Nature Cure Centres across the length and breadth of the country, where quality care can be availed.

Looking at its benefits, we must all look to make use of this gift of Nature in our daily lives, whether to cook our food in earthen vessels, or use it in our beauty routines, or as mud packs to relieve aches and pains. For anything more serious, it is best to consult a good Naturopath or visit a reputed Nature Cure facility with trained doctors.

Before closing, I would like to emphasise the benefits of gardening, wherever it is possible to do it. This is because, in addition to working with our hands in the mud, we get the benefit of being in the presence of other Elements like fresh air and water – the pancha mahabhootas, in short!

(A version of this article was first published by the author on Nov 12, 2000 in The Tribune, Chandigarh)

Images: Top- https://pngtree.com/ Pots- https://www.indiatvnews.com/ Medicine Prep: https://www.keralatourism.org/

Bird- https://www.lyricbirdfood.com/birding- child mud-play: https://www.eurokidsindia.com/

Dead Sea mud bath: https://israel-travel-secrets.com/