VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY
VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY TM
Steven Koda, ND
NATUROPATHY AT HOME
Teaching Wellbeing - One Person at a Time
HOT FOMENTATION TREATMENT

Description
This treatment is intended to raise the temperature of the tissues (artificial fever). It can be
applied locally or to the whole body. Its purpose is to enhance and increase circulation, decrease
congestion and encourage elimination of toxic material from the body.

Indications
Acute conditions including bronchitis, chest colds, dysmenorrhea, gallstones, insomnia
and muscle spasm.

Contraindications
Do not use over areas of decreased or lost sensation, hemorrhage, gastric ulcers, malignancy,
peripheral vascular disease or any conditions aggravated by extreme cold.

Supplies        
  • Blanket
  • Sheet
  • Washcloths (2)
  • Bowl of ice water
  • Towels (4)
  • Pillow
  • Alternative: tub for hot foot bath

Procedure        
  1. Spread a blanket lengthwise on a bed with a sheet over it, draping over on each side to later sandwich the patient in. The
    person to be treated should lie on their back, unclothed form the hips up and without socks.
  2. Wring out 2 towels in hot water. Place one hot towel under patient’s back and one on top of their chest and abdomen.
    Wrap sheet and blanket tightly around patient.
  3. Leave hot towels on back and chest for 3 minutes, then change with 2 more hot towels and wait another 3 minutes.
  4. Apply cold washcloth to forehead during heating up treatment.
  5. Remove towels. Using cold washcloth wrapped around hand to form a mitt. Briskly rub down the chest and abdomen for
    30-60 seconds until skin turns pink.
  6. Repeat procedure 2 more times. After the last round of hot towels, briskly rub down the whole body starting with the
    hands and arms, moving to the chest and back and then the leg and feet. Cover areas as you complete them to retain
    warmth.
  7. Dry patient and wrap warmly. Have the patient rest for at least 10 minutes.
  8. Alternatively, patient can sit wrapped up as above with feet in a tub of hot water. Be sure to drape blanket around the tub
    and keep the water hot.

Resources:    Dr. Douglas C. Lewis N.D.