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What is Balneotherapy and Is It Right for You?

Water has been a source of comfort and healing for thousands of years. If you peruse texts pertaining to Ancient civilizations such as the Celts, Greeks, or Romans, you will find many recorded examples of their people utilizing hot springs or other bodies of water to help with ailments. Today, we still find solace in the warmth of a bath when we need to relax sore muscles or give our minds a rest.

 

What is Balneotherapy?

 

Balneotherapy is a form of hydrotherapy that involves the use of bathing, often in waters that are rich in natural mineral content, to help treat health issues. Today, you can easily partake in this type of hydrotherapy by visiting a spa or hot springs resort.

 

The Effect of Balneotherapy

 

Balneotherapy uses the warmth of the water helps to stimulate blood circulation. The minerals found in naturally occurring springs often contain sulfur and magnesium. These minerals are used tostimulate your immune system so it can more effectively fight off illness. It is also thought to relax you, thereby releasing stress and bringing your blood pressure down.

 

Treatable Conditions

 

We often will naturally look to the water, especially warm water, in our regular daily life to help ease minor pain and escape the stresses of the day, sometimes even adding salts or using aromatherapy to amplify the results. Studies behind the effectiveness of balneotherapy are limited, but some research shows promise that it does have a positive effect on certain conditions, here are just a few.

 

  • Insomnia- When a warm bath is used 20- 30 minutes before bed, the cooling of your core body temperature and its ability to relax you can allow for a more restful state.

 

 

  • Psoriasis- Balneotherapy shows it may have a substantial effect as an anti-inflammatory. This can help with psoriasis or conditions such as fibromyalgia. More studies are needed but it can be used as a supplemental treatment. In addition, it is a more gentle alternative to many medications and typical treatments.

What to Plant in July

The approximate time of harvest is a clue to what to plant in July. An important factor in planting in July is the zone in which you live. In most cases, planting Zones 1 through 6 allow a gardener to plant vegetables and flowers for harvesting in autumn without suffering frost damage.

In a hotter climate, planting in July may not be as restrictive as in colder climates with early winters. In warmer climates, a bumper crop of green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, cabbage, lettuce and collard greens produce a full crop by late September and early October.

In colder climates where winter begins in October, plant cabbage, potatoes, squash, pumpkin and herbs like Rosemary, Basil, Sage and Thyme in July. Further north where winters arrive early, plant beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage.

The Basic Guide to What to Plant in July

Coordinate planting zones with the species of vegetables and flowers. Be aware that planting certain types of flowers planted in July are determined by the flower genus. For example, in Zones 1 through 6, plant bulbs like tulips, crocus and daffodils in late summer so they will bloom in early spring.

The basic guide for planting vegetables in July is to consider the plants ability to withstand sudden changes in temperature. Plant root plants like carrots and radishes in the first week of July to produce a crop by mid September.

In the warmer climates, plant black eyed peas, bush beans and cowpeas in July for harvest in late September or early October.

Soil and Water is Important to July Planting

Take note of the condition of garden soil in July. Many vegetables love sandy soil while others do poorly. This also applies to water and rain events. Vegetables and flowers need a certain amount of water and adequate rainfall to encourage natural growth.

July is a good planting month in most areas since there is optimal amounts of warm sunshine. The amount of sunshine affects plants’ ability to evolve from seeds to seedlings within a few weeks. Ideally, your July plants should be at the midpoint of the harvest stage within four weeks.

In MidAtlantic states in July, you can plant kohlrabi, leeks, rutabaga, beets, cucumber and turnips as well as peas, scallions and parsnips for fall harvesting.

Floriography: An Introduction to the Language of Flowers

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The romantic and emotive significance of flowers is fairly commonplace, but the bouquet you gift to a dear friend could hold more symbolism than you think. Learning about the different meanings each flower has historically held based on their type and even color could make your modern floral arrangements and gifted bouquets more interesting, fun, and meaningful!

 

Victorian England

Though the significance of flowers has been present for centuries, it is believed that the specific meanings associated with flowers became popular during the Victorian Era, most notably in England. The construction of the “language of flowers” began during this time, and many books, called “floriographies,” were published in attempts to decode the meanings of certain flowers.

Historians now believe that it was rare for anyone to send bouquets containing messages spelled out in flowers, but the widespread popularity of the trend suggests otherwise. Even if the ordeal was largely a game, the associations between emotions, sentiments, and flowers remain popular and prevalent today.

 

Hanakotoba

Much like the English Language of Flowers, eastern nations like Japan also have set meanings to their flowers. The Japanese Hanakotoba is not as actively popular as its western counterpart, but it is still in practice in some regions today. Because of the strong Buddhist influence on Japanese culture, many of the meanings held by some flowers are directly tied to religious beliefs and natural beauty. The variety of different languages, associations, and meanings for similar flowers can shed some light on cultural values and beliefs. Flower languages can serve as bridges between unique individuals and cultures.

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