Benefits:
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Relieves contractions.
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Reduces muscle pain.
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Treats varicose veins.
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Helps improve circulatory problems.
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Stimulates and increases the defenses of the circulatory system.
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Helps detoxify the body.
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Relax the body and mind.
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Stimulates skin regeneration.
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Helps decongest the body.
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It tones the nervous system.
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Fight insomnia and improve sleep quality.
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Treat pre-menstrual symptoms.
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Moisturizes the scalp.
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Improves blood circulation
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It helps you lose weight.
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It is used for aphrodisiac purposes.
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Reduces scars.
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Oxygenates the skin.
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fight infections
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Cleanses the digestive system.
MORE INFORMATION
There are 4 types of temazcal / steam baths
Social:
This is practiced in a group and focuses on taking advantage of the medicinal and therapeutic effects of steam, in addition to seeking relaxation and holistic purification.
Ceremonial:
It focuses on physical, mental and cultural aspects, creating strong ties with the symbolic roots of culture, here a dance is performed as a ritual towards the cardinal points.
Healing:
These types of temazcal seek to cure illnesses, they are also more private, since only those who facilitate and those who receive are present.
Warrior:
Here the aim is to strengthen the spirit, mental and physical capacity are put to the test, as well as self-control because the temperatures are quite high.
INIPI or TEMAZCALLI?
Although the temazcalli as such is an ancient Mexican tradition, it has been mixed with the uses and customs of the "inipi" ritual, a similar ceremony of Sioux/Lakota origin that was introduced in Mexico last century, and with which syncretisms have been created. either way. Today, the Inipi is the most predominantly known form. Some differences are as follows:
The Inipi is held at 4 gates, each honoring a direction, element, stage of life, and animal.
Inipi is traditionally made from weeping willow (White willow in English), which usually grows in rivers and contains acetylsalicylic acid (a natural component of aspirin). It can also be made from bamboo sticks (like the ones we have mostly built ourselves)
There are 2 forms of Okinague (Inipi geometry), the best known and used is the 16-rod one, reserved for healing ceremonies. In familiar inipis, 12 varas (like the one shown above) is used. These structures were traditionally dismantled at the end of the ceremony, which could be the vision quest, the Sun dance, among others. Lineage and fire are passed on to those who perform the Sun dance.
The temazcal, on the other hand, is made of stone or mud, and modernly of brick or other materials. Traditionally it was square, although by syncretism the circular shape has been attached. It focuses more on the use of medicinal herbs than on the 4-door cycle. The initiation is given in a personal way, sharing knowledge and fire through service. On the other hand, there are many types of temazcallis or family steam baths, and their uses are varied from treatment for the puerperium (postpartum) of women, treatment of multiple diseases, council meetings, among others.
In both the inipi and the temazcal, volcanic stones are used that are heated with a powerful fire, taking them to more than 1000 ° C. In the case of the Inipi, the "eagle of fire" or man/woman of fire, is in charge of this process and of introducing them, where they are received and placed, to later be blessed and finally bathed with water, which is prepared with medicinal herbs.
In the case of the temazcal, there are different models, in which some heat a wall of the enclosure and then water is thrown into it. In others, the stones are always inside, and the smoke is allowed to escape, heating up inside the enclosure. And there are also mixtures of various styles, in which the stones are introduced one by one or in blocks.
Although the cold water bath after the temazcal has become popular, traditionally people were wrapped up and allowed to slowly cool down in an airless space, allowing the heat to complete its cycle and restore body temperature.
