• Soothes mind & body to relieve stress & relax muscles
• Increases body metabolism
• Deep cleanses - hydrates skin
• Helps eliminate toxins
• Boosts your immune system
• Relieves discomforts of asthma, allergies and arthritis

Whether you seek to reduce stress, raise your metabolism, ease the symptoms of a bad cold, improve your complexion, alleviate the pain of a sports injury or prevent such damage in the first place, the aromaSpa provides these therapeutic solutions and more.

The steam relaxes stiff joints and muscles, deeply cleanses your skin, helps eliminate toxins, and boosts your immune system.The aromaSpa's aromatherapy delivery system allows you to use essential oils with specific purposes in mind, depending on your personal needs, e.g., to relax and ease muscle tension, to combat stress, to alleviate cold and flu symptoms - clearing the head, sinus and nasal passages, as well as to refresh the spirit and promote clarity of mind.

History
For thousands of years, people of all cultures have indulged in the soothing warmth of aromatic steams baths.

Hyperthermia Steam Treatments
Fever is one of the body's most powerful defenses against disease. Hyperthermia artificially induces fever in the patient who is unable to mount a natural fever response to infection, inflammation, or other health challenges. It is used locally or over the entire body to boost the immune system and treat diseases ranging from viral infections to cancer, and is an effective self-help treatment for the common cold and flu.

Dry vs. Steam

Steam Inhalation
Steam Inhalation is an effective treatment in respiratory conditions and is highly recommended for treatment of the common cold, sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies and asthma.

Detoxify
Apart from the immune system stimulating effects of sweat therapy, many tout it as one of the most effective and painless detoxifying treatments available.

Work out

Cardiovascular
Steam treatments have a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. The pulse ate increases from 75 beats per minute to between 100-150 beats per minute during a 15-20 minute treatment. This increase blood circulation, but not blood pressure, since the heat also causes the tiny blood vessels in the skin to expand, accommodating the increased blood flow. The dilation of the capillary vessels enables the bloodstream to carry great amounts of nutrients to the skin, including the increased absorption of the essential oils that are carried in the bloodstream.

Beauty Therapy
The aromaSpa sauna bathes you in gentle warm moisture to soften and replenish skin. As pores open and perspiration begins, tone-dulling toxins are naturally expelled, leaving behind more supple, cleaner skin.

Aromatherapy
The aromaSpa steam sauna is the ideal atmosphere for dispersing essential oils to naturally vitalize mind and body. By stimulating our sense of smell, selected fragrances can evoke pleasant feelings, alter moods, and unleash natural physical responses.

For thousands of years, people of all cultures have indulged in the soothing warmth of aromatic steams baths. The Romans are well known for their elaborate baths. The wealthy of 200 B.C. India did not consider their mansions complete unless it included a bathhouse with a steam room. The Muslim Hamma, or bathhouse, with its domed, central steam chamber is still an integral part of life in Muslim countries. A derivation of the Humman, the Turkish bath, has been popular in Europe for centuries. In the New Worlde, stone houses or temezcals were used by the Toltecs and the Aztecs to treat physical and mental problems. These were small rooms of adobe or stone built adjacent to the temples. Opposite the tiny entrance was a section that contained a little lake of hot water and stones. The lake was covered over with all manner of fragrant flowers, heating them and releasing their essential oils into the steamy vapors, creating a stimulating effect on circulation and the metabolism.

In Finland, sauna-bathing is a way of life. They say it gives them as much strength as rest or sleep. Most people think of the finnish sauna as a dry heat bath, but in fact, the Finns throw water on the the hot stones that warm the sauna to create what is known as "loyly," a sudden burst of steam that creates a moist heat in the sauna. According to an old proverb, the steam sauna was called "the hospital of the poor" and "the medicine of the poor" and "the medicine of Finland." The steam bath has been enjoyed for the benefits of total relaxation of mind and body; to ease stress; relieve muscle tension and stiff joints; sweat out body toxins; stimulate circulation; increase body metabolism; keep skin glowing and youthful and to alleviate sinus congestion due to colds, asthma or allergies.

Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, used steam bathing, stating "Give me the power to create a fever, and I shall cure any disease." This is the exactly what researcher are finding to be true. Fever is one of the body's most powerful defenses against disease. Fever raises the body's temperature above normal in an attempt to destroy invading organisms and sweat impurities out of the system. Fever is a highly effective and natural process of curing disease and restoring health, and has been recognized as such for thousands of years. Hyperthermia deliberately creates fever in the patient in order to utilize this natural healing response. Steam bathing is the most effective method to create a state of hyperthermia.

The body protects itself from viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances through the use of numerous defense systems. One of these is fever. Fever raises the body's temperature above normal in an attempt to destroy invading organisms and sweat impurities out of the system. Fever is a highly effective and natural process of curing disease and restoring health, and has been recognized as such for thousands of years. Hyperthermia deliberately creates fever in the patient in order to utilize this natural healing process.

How Hyperthermia Works
A state of hyperthermia exists when the body temperature rises above its normal level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. An increase in body temperature causes many physiological responses to occur in the body. Hyperthermia takes advantage of the fact that many invading organisms tolerate a narrower temperature range than body tissues and are therefore more susceptible to increases in temperature (they may die from overheating before harm is done to human tissue). Examples are viruses such as rhinivirus¹ (responsible for one-half of all respiratory infections), HIV (human immuniodeficiency virus),² and the microorganisms and bacteria that causes syphilis and gonorrhea.³

Hyperthermia treatments may not be able to kill every invading organism, but they can reduce their numbers to a level the immune system can handle. Hyperthermia stimulates the immune system by increasing the production of antibodies and interferon (a protein substance produced by virus-invading cells that prevents reproduction of the virus). Hyperthermia is also a useful technique in detoxification therapy because it releases toxins stored in fat cells.

Hyperthermia can be produced either locally or over the whole body. Locally-applied hyperthermia is most often employed to treat infections such as upper respiratory infections (with inhalation of steam or a local application of diathermy), or for infected wounds in a hand or foot (generally produced with immersion in a hot water bath). Whole-body hyperthermia, on the other hand, is used when there is a general infection, when a local application is impractical, or when a general whole-body response is desirable.
For whole-body hyperthermia, practitioners normally utilize the methods of full-immersion baths, steam baths, and blanket packs. For a localized application, immersion baths, steam, or, occasionally, diathermy are used.

Hyperthermia in all of its forms is often employed in the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and other conditions of the lungs and body cavities, and is used as a modality for physical therapy.

Conditions Benefited by Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia can be used in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, bladder problems, and urinary tract infections such as cystitis.

Viral Diseases
Douglas Lewis, N.D., Chair of Physical Medicine at the Bastyr College Natural Health Clinic in Seattle, Washington, states that a hot immersion bath, if done without raising body temperature and heart rate too quickly or too high, can be used as an adjunctive treatment for a "diverse number of diseases - from upper respiratory infections and sexually transmitted diseases to cancer and AIDS." Hyperthermia in the form of hot baths has also proved useful in the treatment of herpes simplex and herpes zoster (shingles). At first the treatment aggravates the situation, but conditions improve considerably after a short time. It is also useful in treating the common cold and flu, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome.

CFIDS
Bruce Milliman, N.D., of Seattle, Washington, reports success using artificial hyperthermia as the central element in a treatment program for CFIDS. Dr. Milliman's treatment involves artificially inducing fever in order to augment the body's ability to fight viral infections. Patients must commit to a three-week course of treatment during which they stay home, get total bed rest, and undergo the fever treatment three times daily. To induce hyperthermia, the patient soaks in a bath (as hot as is tolerable) for a full five minutes, while drinking a twelve-ounce glass of tepid water mixed with two thousand milligrams of vitamin C. Emerging from the bath, the patient quickly dries off and gets into a bed prepared with flannel sheets and wool blankets, placing a hot water bottle under the breast (women) or over the liver (men), and remaining under the blankets for twenty minutes. This procedure stimulates a natural fever response and the body will sweat profusely in its attempt to return to normal body temperature.

According to Dr. Milliman, fever is one of the immune system's natural adaptive mechanisms, and "turning up the thermostat" enhances immune response. He reports a 70 to 75 percent success rate with his patients who follow this protocol for the full three weeks.

Dr. Lewis has also had good results treating chronic fatigue syndrome with hyperthermia. For certain cases, Dr. Lewis prescribes hyperthermia as a form of self-care. In one instance, he suggested a patient take hot tub treatments at home three to four times weekly. "During the following year," Dr. Lewis reports, "her condition improved wonderfully. While not fully recovered, her energy level is substantially higher, and she credits this to her hot tub routine."

Acute viral infection is another condition Dr. Lewis treats with hyperthermia. In one case, a patient came to him suffering from a combination of pneumonia and bronchitis. His infection had initially been treated with natural remedies, and then antibiotics, both of which produced only minor results. Dr. Lewis prescribed two treatments of hyperthermia forty-eight hours apart, with an additional treatment given at home one week later. The patient began to improve with the first treatment and was significantly better by the time of the final treatment. "In treating acute conditions" Dr. Lewis says, "sometimes the patient will have more difficulty tolerating higher temperatures than those who are suffering from chronic conditions. As fever response is stimulated, however, usually a higher tolerance follows."

HIV Infection
At a Natural Health Clinic of Basyr College, hyperthermia is commonly used in the treatment of HIV and other chronic and acute viral infections. In 1988 and 1989, the Natural Health Clinic conducted a "Healing Aids Research Project" (HARP). Hyperthermia treatment was included in the treatment protocol developed for the study because of it's immune-stimulating, detoxifying, and disinfecting properties.

According to Leanna Standish, N.D., Ph.D., Director of HARP, participants reported that hyperthermia was the facet of their treatment that had the greatest impact. They found a decrease in night sweats and in the frequency of secondary infection. Also, many participants reported having a greater sense of well-being after hyperthermia treatments. ⁴

Laboratory research has proven that HIV is temperature sensitive and suffers greater inactivation at progressively higher temperatures above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, after thirty minutes heating in a water bath at 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 40 percent inactivation of HIV has been reported, and at 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit, 100 percent inactivation.⁵ "I don't believe that hyperthermia is the answer for all HIV patients," says Dr. Lewis, "but I do think it is an appropriate adjunct treatment for all but a few very sick patients.

Cancer
Current medical literature is filled with references to the use of hyperthermia in confessional medical settings as an adjunct cancer treatment. Studies have shown that hyperthermia treatment modifies cell membranes in such a way as to protect healthy cells and make tumor cells more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation.⁶ This makes hyperthermia a useful adjunct in cancer therapy, as its application enables the use of lower doses of chemotherapy and radiation.

Other studies have shown that hyperthermia treatments play a role in stimulating the immune system. White cells counts appear to drop immediately following treatments, but rise within a few hours. Not only do the number of white cells increase, but their ability to destroy target cells appears to increase as well.⁷ A recent study has shown an increase in the production of interleukin-1 (a compound produced by the body in response to infection, inflammation, or other immunologic challenges) with whole-body hyperthermia.⁸ These studies indicate that increased body temperature plays a positive role in the healing process of the body. According to A.C. Guyton, M.D., an authority in the field of medical physiology, the metabolic rate would be increased 100 percent for every 10 degrees centigrade rise in temperature.⁹ This increased metabolic rate no doubt accounts for some of the increased immune activity.

Hyperthermia

1 Tyrrell, D.; Barrow, I.; and Arthur, J. "Local Hyperthermia Benefits Natural and Experimental Common Colds." British Medical Journal 298 (1989): 1280-1283.

2 Spire, B.; et al. "Inactivation of Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus by Heat, Gamma Rays, and Ultraviolet Light." Lancet 1 no. 8422 (Jan, 26, 1985): 188-189

3 Thrash . A., M.D.; and C.L. Jr., M.D. Home Remedies : hydrotherapy, massage, charcoal, and other simple treatments. Groveland, CA: New Life Books, 1981

4 Standish, L.; et al. "One Year Open Trial of Naturopathic Treatment of HIV Infection Class IV-A in Men." Journal of Naturopathic Medicine 3 no. 1 (1992): 42-64.

5 Weatherburn, H. "Hyperthermia and AIDS Treatment." British Journal of Radiology 61, No. 729 (Sep, 1988):862-863

6 Konings, A.W.T. "Membranes as Targets for Hyperthermic Cell Killing." Recent Results in Cancer Research 109 (1988): 9-21.

Toffoli, G.: et al. "Effect of Hyperthermia on Intracellular Drug Accumulation and Chemosensitive in Drug-Sensitive and Drug-Resistant P388 Leukemia Cell Lines." International Journal on Hyperthermia 5 no. 5 (1989): 163-172

7 Park, M.M.: et al. "The Effect of Whole Body Hyperthermia on the Immune Cell Activity of Cancer Patients." Lymphokine Research 9 no. 2 (1990): 213-223

8 Neville. A. J.; and Sauder. D. N. "Whole Body Hyperthermia (41-42 Degree C) Induces Interleukin-1 in Vivo. " Lymphokine Research 7 no. 3 (Fall.1988): 201-206

9 Tyrrell, D.; Barrow, I,; Arthur, J. " Local Hyperthermia Benefits Natural and Experimental Common Colds." British Medical Journal 298 (1989): 1280-1283

10 Guyton, A.C.., M.D. Textbook of Medical Physiology, sixth ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Sauders Company, 1986

11 Gard, Z. R., M.D.; Brown E.J. "Literature Review And Comparison Studies of Sauna/Hyperthermia in Detoxification." Townsend Letter for Doctors no. 107 (Jun. 1992) : 470-478. 12 Ibid.

Dry Heat vs Steam
The effectiveness of hyperthermia directly correlates with the ability to eliminate heat loss during treatments. As the patient's temperature begins to rise, the body's natural response is to perspire so that the evaporation of the perspiration will cool the body. In dry heat or in radiant heat sauna, undesirable cooling undermines hyperthermia by the natural evaporation process. However, in a steam bath, evaporation is not possible and therefore allows little or no loss of valuable body heat. The moisture level actually causes condensation on the body to become the primary heat transfer mechanism heating the body. You still perspire as heavily, it just doesn't evaporate and dry on the skin. The powerful cleansing and healing process of hyperthermia does not take place until the body reaches 101 -103 F. With steam, this is accomplished quickly and effectively and does not require long periods of time. "Heat loss by evaporation in a dry sauna is considerably greater than in a humid sauna or steam room." Annuls of Clinical Research, vol. 20, pages 240-243, 1988 According to the book Alternative Medicine, compiled by Burton Goldberg Group, and published by Future Medicine, Puyallup, Washington, 1993, on page 303, "Doctor Lewis describes a patient who was being treated at the Natural Health Clinic at Bastyr College using hyperthermia produced with a steam cabinet."

In a 1989 study, researchers conducted experiments which showed the desired higher heat stress ratings attained with the use of humid heat rather than dry heat. This study consisted of two groups of healthy males age 24 +/- 4 years. Both groups were exposed to 22 minutes of dry heat at 80(C). Following this, both groups showed an oral temperature of 37.3 +/- 0.4 (99.14 F). Group A was then exposed to 16 minutes dry heat at 80 C for an oral temperature of 37.5 +/- 0.3 (99.5 F) and a heat stress rating of 3.8 +/- 0.4 on a scale of 1 to 10. Group B on the other hand, was exposed to only 10 minutes of humid heat which was much less time than Group A, yet exhibited an oral temperature of 39.5 C +/- 0.7( 103.1(F) with a heat stress rating of 8.4 +/- 1.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. Published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology (1989), vol. 58, pages 543-550. Haemodynamic and Hormonal Responses to Heat Exposure in a Finnish Sauna Bath.

Steam inhalation is an effective treatment in respiratory conditions and is highly recommended for treatment of the common cold, sinusitis, bronchitis, alllergies and asthma.

1. Steam relieves inflamation and congeston of upper respiratory mucous membranes.
2. Steam relieves throat irritation by moistening the air.
3. Steam relieves spasmodic breathing (Asthma, Croup).
4. Steam loosens secretions and stimulates discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs (natural expectrant).
5. Steam relaxes muscles and relieves coughing.
6. Steam Keep mucous membranes from excessive drying. Hydrotherapy-Simple Treatments For Common Ailments by Clarence Dail, M.D./Charles Thomas, Ph. D.

Apart from the immune system stimulating effects of sweat therapy, many tout it as one of the most effective and painless detoxifying treatments available.

"The only detoxification program that has proven successful in removing fat stored toxins from the body is hyperthermia, or heat stress detoxification", according to Zane Gard, M.D., and Erma Brown, P.H.N. "Heat stress," says Dr. Gard, "can also remove calcium deposits from the blood vessels and break down scar tissue from their walls." Other studies demonstrate that hyperthermia can remove chemicals such as DDE (a metabolite of DDT) PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyl), and dioxin from fat cells. Literature Review and Comparison Studies of Sauna/Hyperthermia in Detoxification." Townsend Letter for Doctors 107 (June, 1992): 470-478

In a steam bath, the natural cooling process through perspiration is eliminated and therefore allows little or no loss of the valuable body heat necessary for effective detoxification or immune-boosting therapies. Unlike a dry sauna, steam does not dehydrate the skin nor allow toxin-filled perspiration to dry prior to rinsing. In a study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, Haemodynamic and Hormonal Responses to Heat Exposure in a Finnish Sauna Bath, dry heat was unable to elevate the body temperature to the desired level whereas steam accomplished the 101 to 103 F body core temperature quickly and efficiently in 10-15 minutes. Dry vs. Steam.

Dr. Veronica Butler, medical co-director at The Raj, a health center based on principles of Ayurveda, recommends herbalized steam baths, called swedenas, to clients as part of the ancient Ayurvedic purification treatment,known as panchakarma.

Heat speeds up the chemical processes in the body, making steam bathing one of the simplest and most comfortable ways to rid the body of accumulated toxins. As the pores open up and millions of sweat glands start to excrete, the body rids itself of metabolic and other waste products. Sweat contains almost the same elements as urine, and for this reason, the skin is sometimes called the third kidney. It is estimated that as much as 30 % of bodily wastes are eliminated by way of perspiration.

However, more than common metabolic waste products are secreted through the skin. Natural health practitioners often notice that when heavy smokers get a steam bath or a body wrap (where the body 'simmers' for up to 45 min. under hot covers), they will leave a yellow residue of the towels. Reino Tarkianinen, President of Finlandia Sauna, reports that when the company replaces sauna benches from public baths, a thick, black layer of accumulated tar can be found underneath the benches.

In Finland, research is being done on the use of sweat therapy in the treatment of people who are chemically affected. The purifying effects of perspiration could also be behind claims that steam treatments can help cure or control such ailments as acne and arthritis.

Last but not least, steam bathing produces powerful therapeutic effects simply by increasing circulation. As the carrier of the re-building forces of the nutrients to all parts of the body, the bloodstream plays a crucial role in the maintenance of health.

The Greeks considered the steam bath a vital part of their rigorous physical education program and that it formed an integral part of the famed Greek Gymnasia. Recent research has found that the aromaSpa is the perfect thing to add to your usual workout program. Prior to workout, steam helps warm the muscles and prevents injuries. Following workout, steam reduces the lactic acids in your muscles that cause soreness. "The aromaSpa ^&#174 is an optimal environmental for vasodilation and will increase oxygen delivery into the cellular level of muscles. Greater elasticity will be one of a number of positive by products."¹

Steam treatments have a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. The pulse rate increases from 75 beats per minute to between 100-150 beats per minute during a 15-20 minute treatment. This increase blood circulation, but not blood pressure, since the heat also causes the tiny blood vessels in the skin to expand, accommodating the increased blood flow. The dilation of the capillary vessels enables the bloodstream to carry great amounts of nutrients to the skin, including the increased absorption of the essential oils that are carried in the bloodstream.

Intensive and comprehensive cleansing effect on skin "One is most beautiful two hours after the Sauna" goes an old Finnish adage. Certainly, as a neither labor nor material-intensive skin care treatment, steam bathing produces unique results. By inducing sweating, it creates an intensive and comprehensive cleansing effect on the skin and its sweat glands; by enhancing circulation, it stimulates a surge of blood flowing to the skin, sweeping away impurities and flooding poorly nourished areas with nutrients. The facial steam has long been an invaluable part of any esthetician's treatment regimen. In recent years, with new products being launched that facilitate whole-body steam treatments, many practitioners have turned to the beauty enhancing benefits of full-body steam treatments."Healthy skin is skin which has been cleared of obstruction," explains Dr. Chris Clark., Medical Co-Director at The Raj, a natural health and beauty center. Steam therapy liquefies the impurities hidden in even the minutest bodily channels."

Enhances circulation and blood flow to skin Within just a few minutes, there is an increase of cardiac output, increased blood flow to the skin produced by the tiny blood vessels in the skin expanding to accommodate the increased blood flow. At usual room temperatures of about 70° Fahrenheit, the cutaneous (skin) blood flow is 5 - 10 percent of cardiac output at rest. However, during the steam bath, the blood flow to the skin can go as high at 50 to 70 percent of the cardiac output!

Nourishes skin with nutrients The increased blood flow brings vital nutrients to skin and subcutaneous tissue, stimulating cellular activity and growth. The parts of the skin that normally suffer from poor circulation benefit especially from this treatment.

Superior to body wraps in treatment of cellulite "Dr. John Welbes, Director of the College of Massage Therapy in Omaha, Nebraska, recommends steam bath in the treatment of cellulite, finding it superior to body wraps in raising tissue temperature. "Body wraps are very slow;" says Dr. Welbes, "it may take an hour to achieve the same temperature increase that you can get in about 10 minutes in a steam bath." According to Dr. Welbes, the heat helps loosen the fatty tissue so that it is less solid and can more easily be broken down.

Increased body metabolism.. "Sweating is therapeutic, but so too are other physiological effects of the steam bath. Dramatic effects derived from the circulatory changes are caused by the intense heat exposure. Steam treatments have a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. The heart rate increases as much as 50% to 75% during a 10-20 minute steam bath session. The pulse rate increases from 75 beats per minute to between 100-150 beats per minute during a 15-20 minute treatment. This increase blood circulation, but not blood pressure, since the heat also causes the tiny blood vessels in the skin to expand, accommodating the increased blood flow. According to A.C. Guyton, M.D., an authority in the field of medical physiology, the metabolic rate is increased 100% for every 10° C rise in temperature. An increase in temperature from 98.6° F to 104° F should increase metabolism by about 30%.

Emulsifies fat of sebaceous glands The skin's more than 2 million eccrine glands respond to rising body temperatures by excreting sweat to cool the skin and the blood in the skin's capillary vessels. According to Dr. J. Perasalo of the Finnish Student Health Services in Helsinki, sweat emulsifies the fat of the sebaceous glands far more effectively than water and clears them of sebum and the bacterial flora they usually contain.

Enhance the development of collagen At the same time nutrients are being rush via the increased blood supply, fluids that rush to the surface of the skin enhance the development of collagen, says Ben H. Douglas, Ph.D. of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The effect is to fill in the spaces around the cells and even plump up wrinkles.

Hydration to dry skin Steam baths are better for the skin than the sometimes dry heat of the sauna. This is why the facial steam bath has long been an invaluable part of any esthetician's treatment regimen. According to some researchers people with psoriasis find that regular steam bathing helps to keep their skin lesions free of thick scales for extended periods if used in conjunction with petrolatum, emollients, or some topical antisoriatic treatment after bathing.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants and herbs to treat conditions ranging from infections and skin disorders to immune deficiencies and stress. Essential oils are widely used throughout Europe and a system of medical aromatherapy is currently practiced in France.

Aromatherapy has recently found it's way into mainstream science in the United States. The National Institutes of Health in 1992 officially recognized "unconventional medical practices" and began a study to integrate these practices into modern health care. Among the unconventional treatments; herbal medicine, of which aromatherapy is a branch.

"Aromatherapy works two fold," according to Michael Scholes, president of Aromatherapy Seminars, Los Angeles, California. "These essenceses have a smell that, when inhaled, is processed in an area of the brain that controls emotions. They penetrate the skin to get into the bloodstream and the immune system to work in a physiological method."