A lemon footbath is a bowl of hot water into which a lemon is cut, and the feet placed in the lemon water for 10 – 20 mins with the legs covered over with a towel.
It encourages warmth distribution and harmony. A lemon footbath can be used daily as preventative healthcare or in some acute illnesses such a headache or over stimulation. It helps a person to ground and re-centre by harmonising warmth distribution and breathing. Use at times of change or transition in a day or in a life event. Children can greatly benefit from it when transferring between parent’s homes, returning from holidays, preparing for school or winding down.
Never use a lemon footbath when fever is present or during pregnancy. If you are unsure please consult your healthcare practitioner.
Equipment:
- Juicy yellow lemon (preferably organic)
- Bowl for the feet (eg 10 litre wash basin)
- Warm Water
- Serrated knife
- 2 – 3 towels
- Oil for massage
- Long warm socks
It can be most helpful to lay out the equipment in an order that aids to keep the water warm; the person should not become cold during the treatment. Each person is best to find an order and method that suits their circumstances. In general:
Fill the bowl with warm to very warm water. The water should reach over the ankles and up the calves at a temperature that turns the feet pink but does not burn.
Arrange the towels and bowl so that the legs and footbath will be free of drafts. A towel can hang from the seat to the floor behind the bowl, and another drapes over the knees and down to the outer edge of the footbath where it can be tucked in so as not to hang in the water.
Put the lemon in the water and cut it under water so that the life of it’s juice and oil is transferred to the water. Scrape the skin, cut the lemon in half, and cross-section each half then squeeze.
Place the feet in the bath and cover them. More blankets can be used over the top to insulate the footbath and cover the shoulders.
Keep an eye on the water temperature so that it is warm for 10 – 20mins.
Take one foot out at a time to dry. Applying oil and socks can help to keep the warmth. Continue to rest for another 10mins. The breath comes into harmony in the rest period so it is equally as important as the footbath.