How to Make an Herbal Healing Bath

Deep in the jungles of Central America, descendants of the Maya Indians still live and practice their herbal and spiritual healing. The Mayans have many remedies for physical ailments, but they also treat ailments of the spirit—things that we might call psychological problems—such as grief, sadness, fright and envy. These illnesses can manifest themselves as physical symptoms, which can interfere with a person’s ability to heal. This makes sense as modern Western medicine finds links between physical ailments like high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer with unresolved emotional stress and distress. This is from the teachings of Dr. Rosita Arvigo:

Things You'll Need

• 3 different types of plants
• <br>String, twine or plant material such as lemongrass
• <br>Clippers
• <br>Bathtub, swimming pool or hot tub

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Instructions

• 1

  Pick 3 sprigs of 3 different plants, each about 9 inches long. Any plants are fine: common plants used include basil, marigold and rue. Dr. Arvigo teaches to use plants that "resonate" with the person being treated. As you cut each plant, say a short prayer, which can be something like this: “We praise you, we bless you, we thank you, we ask for your permission and your help in our healing.”

• 2

  Tie the cut plants into 3 identical bundles with string, twine or a stringy plant material such as lemongrass.

• 3

  Get into a bathtub, swimming pool, hot tub or the ocean.

• 4

  Recite a short prayer such as this: "I am the one who prays to the 9 Maya spirits to help sick people. I ask the spirits to help me. I believe in them and I have faith in their great power to help and to heal. I will say my prayers 9 times to honor all of the Maya spirits."

• 5

  Take the first of the 3 herb bundles and place it on the person’s right wrist, at their pulse below the thumb.

• 6

  Repeat a short prayer or chant 3 times. This can be any prayer or words that you feel comfortable with. Here is an example: "With this water, I wash away all illness and begin to live wholly again. I have faith with all my heart that this bath and these prayers will relieve me completely."

• 7

  Hold the second herb bundle on the person’s left wrist and repeat the same prayer 3 times.

• 8

  Hold the third herb bundle on the person’s “third eye,” in the center of their forehead, and repeat the prayer 3 more times.

• 9

  Close the ritual by repeating the “I am the one who prays to the 9 Maya spirits” prayer.