Coniferous baths for infants - how to prepare, indications and contraindications

What is a pine bath

The traditional bathing procedure will become several times more beneficial if you add extracts from fir, cedar, juniper or pine to it. This can be an infusion or decoction of pine needles (directly needles), bark or cones of coniferous trees. Most often, salt or dry briquettes/tablets in the form of compressed dried plants are used. Of course, alcohol solutions and essential oils are not used to prepare such a procedure.

Composition and beneficial properties of pine needle extract

The natural extract is made from pine or spruce twigs, fir or juniper needles, subjecting them to a water extraction process. The concentrate contains:

• phytoncides;
• vitamins B, C, E, K, P and PP (it has been proven that pine needles have a high content);
• carotene;
• phytohormones;
• antioxidants;
• minerals – iron, copper, aluminum, manganese, cobalt;
• essential oils.

The combination of natural components affects the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems, improves blood circulation, and regulates metabolic processes in the body. As a result, the following positive effects are noted:

• activation of internal organs;
• calming the nervous system - normalizing sleep, eliminating fatigue or irritability;
• removal of toxic substances;
• stabilization of metabolism;
• anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial effect;
• reducing pain and heaviness in the legs, eliminating swelling, as well as strengthening vascular walls in case of vascular diseases (varicose veins, thrombophlebitis);
• rapid healing of damaged skin;
• toning, softening, smoothing the skin;
• improvement of hair condition;
• general improvement of the body, which is manifested by improved well-being.

Note! Baths based on pine needle extract are also useful for those people who are actively losing weight, while adhering to proper nutrition and making certain physical efforts. In this situation, pine needles do not so much help in weight loss as it alleviates the psychological discomfort associated with certain restrictions.

The effect of a pine bath

The mechanism of action of a pine bath is very simple. Hot water increases blood circulation and metabolic processes in the body, due to which cells are restored faster and immune defense is increased. As a result, cells remain youthful longer.

In addition, the aroma of pine needles affects the olfactory centers in the brain. Thanks to this, the functioning of the nervous system improves, sleep and rest patterns are restored, efficiency and mood increase, and the body resists stress more effectively.

Indications for use

Coniferous bath extract is recommended for use by patients suffering from:

• nervous disorders - depression, asthenia, insomnia, neurasthenia, neuroses, excessive irritability, vegetative-vascular dystonia, chronic fatigue and other disorders;
• pathologies of the respiratory system;
• decreased body defenses, frequent acute respiratory infections;
• inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, urinary organs, joints;
• arterial hypertension;
• metabolic disorders;
• arterial or venous insufficiency, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis;
• skin problems - neurodermatitis, dermatitis, eczema, abscesses, long-term non-healing ulcers or wounds, cracks or calluses, frostbite;
• obesity.

Additional Information. A long-term illness or a period of rehabilitation after suffering a serious illness is also an indication for the use of pine baths, since the high regenerative properties of the substance contribute to the rapid recovery of the body.

But in each individual case, this procedure requires discussion with the doctor treating the underlying pathology.

Benefit

The needles contain many vitamins and microelements, tannins, biologically active substances, and are rich in essential oils and phytoncides. Baths with pine extract:

• Have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system;
• Helps relax and relieve muscle spasms;
• Calms and promotes sound sleep;
• Help prevent upper respiratory tract diseases;
• Improve appetite and normalize metabolic processes in the body;
• Relieves itching and skin irritation;
• The needles have good antibacterial properties and help prevent parasitic infections: ascariasis, helminthiasis.

A doctor may recommend a course of pine baths as part of general therapy in the following cases:

• Hyperactivity combined with increased excitability, restless sleep;
• Nervous disorders, anxiety;
• Frequent colds due to decreased immunity;
• Weight gain below normal;
• Injuries received during childbirth;
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, joints;
• Lack of minerals for bone formation.

The procedure helps improve the baby’s mood, relieve fatigue, and has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. In the autumn-winter period, it is recommended to take pine baths to strengthen the immune system.

Contraindications

Coniferous baths for babies can be used only for their intended purpose and after consultation with a doctor. They should be abandoned in the following cases:

• Fever, high temperature;
• Infections;
• Damage to the skin;
• Tumors of a benign or malignant nature;
• Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system;
• Disturbances in the functioning and development of the heart;
• Chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• Diseases of the vascular system.

Indications for use

Such baths are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of the respiratory system. Vapors of pine needles can relieve asthma and cough, and get rid of many lung diseases.

The procedure has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relaxes and causes healthy and sound sleep, therefore it is prescribed when a child is susceptible to stress, anxiety, and increased excitability.

Such bathing is indicated for the prevention of parasitic diseases and acute respiratory infections, weight loss, birth injuries, diathesis, rickets, and joint diseases.

What are pine baths made from?

To prepare pine bathing, you can use one of the following ingredients:

• extract (concentrate);
• balm;
• infusion (from fresh or dried needles);
• powder;
• tablet.

Each product has beneficial properties. The easiest way is to add a concentrate or extract to the bath. You will have to tinker with decoctions or infusions, but you will know for sure whether the raw materials from which they are prepared are of high quality.

There are two ways to make a bath from dry or fresh needles.

What pine needles can be used for baths?

The needles of juniper, cedar, fir, spruce, pine and other coniferous plants are suitable for cosmetic procedures. Pine needles are considered the most useful, but other types of raw materials can also be used for baths. Watch the video about what kind of needles you need to collect, there are also several more recipes there.

It is possible to collect needles in the forest yourself. It is best to do this in winter: at this time of year the content of nutrients in the needles almost doubles. Raw materials must be collected in clean areas: away from roads, factories and big cities.

Needles can be cut in two ways: the mature needles themselves or the pale greenish young tips of the branches. It is best to use freshly cut pine needles, but if necessary, the raw materials can be dried or frozen. By the way, at negative temperatures almost all the healing properties of the plant are preserved.

First way

Take a canvas bag, nylon stocking or gauze pocket. Place a handful of dry pine needles inside and tie the bag to the tap. Turn on the water. As the water flows through the needles, it will be saturated with the beneficial properties of the needles.

Second way

You can prepare an infusion. To do this, place 5 tablespoons of chopped needles and twigs of spruce or pine in a thermos and pour two glasses of boiling water. Let it sit for several hours and then pour it into the bath.

How to cook?

How to make a bath for bathing? This can be done using various options for the products offered:

1. Plant pine extract. It is also an elixir or concentrate. Produced by water extraction from natural raw materials - coniferous tree branches. Sold as a concentrated liquid solution. It is the best remedy for the treatment and prevention of cough, asthma, and other bronchopulmonary diseases, since it contains carbohydrates, folic acid, plant hormones, vitamin C, B vitamins, micro- and macroelements.
2. Balm. Made from natural pine extract. Contains natural salts, oils, phytoncides, balsamic minerals, flavorings, gum turpentine, bischofite, starch, fir oil, dyes.
3. Infusion of dry pine needles. Prepares independently. The recipes are different, but the result is the same - the infusion is an environmentally friendly product. Can be prepared by brewing chopped dry pine needles with boiling water in a thermos or kettle. The infusion is prepared within 20-30 minutes.
4. Pine powder. Dried extract obtained by extracting a plant concentrate from natural branches of one-year-old trees of the pine family. Dry powder is convenient to store and use. It is becoming less and less common in pharmacies.
5. Coniferous tablet. It is an evaporated extract obtained from pine foot with the addition of a small amount of oil. To obtain a liquid product, simply dissolve the tablet in water.

Cooking tips

To improve the health of a child’s body, you can use the needles of any coniferous trees, collected yourself. In this case, you should look for ingredients only in environmentally friendly places. The harvested raw materials are used to prepare infusions or decoctions, which are subsequently added to water.

Homemade pine infusion

You will need 0.5 kg of dried or fresh pine needles mixed with twigs and 3 liters of water.

1. Cook the mixture for half an hour over low heat.
2. Leave the resulting broth for 8 hours to infuse.
3. Be sure to strain and add when bathing in a volume equal to 2 cups.
4. Increase the amount of infusion to 10-12 glasses if the procedure is carried out in an adult bath.

This infusion can be stored at low temperature for up to 3 days.

Advice! If you hang a fabric bag with fresh or dried pine needles on the tap and run water through it, you will get a bath no less useful than using an infusion. When there is no time or desire to bother with preparing a decoction, the easiest way is to purchase the finished product at the pharmacy. This can be pine balsam, briquettes, tablets or extract. The purchased product contains instructions explaining how to make a bath for a child at home. If a dosage is indicated that applies only to an adult, then the numbers are reduced by 4 or 5 times.

Pine bath from pharmaceutical preparations

When using ready-made pine extract for a bath, take only 2 ml of the contents of the bottle per 10 liters of water. The third part is separated from the briquettes. If you plan to use tablets, half is enough for a small bath or 1-2 pieces. for big.

The thermometer for water should not fall below 35⁰С with an initial mark of 37-38⁰С.

Baths with salt and pine needles

Pine-salt baths are especially useful for children suffering from rickets, skin diseases, lagging behind in physical development, with disorders of the central nervous system, and a weakened musculoskeletal system.

There are 3 options for the salt bathing procedure.

1. Buy sea salt at the pharmacy and use it in combination with pine ingredients. For 10 liters of water, 2 tbsp is enough. l.
2. Buy special pine bath salt. Then additional extracts or briquettes will no longer be needed.
3. Alternate separate pine and salt baths every other day.

Sea salt is healthy in itself, and in tandem with pine needles, bathing will be most effective.

Such procedures are prescribed by a doctor. The course usually does not exceed 15 baths, 10 minutes each. A repeat course should be started no earlier than after 2 months.

Salt baths for infants need to be especially careful. Violation of the dosage or exceeding the time can negatively affect the fragile body of the baby.

Pine-herbal baths

Adding decoctions or infusions of medicinal herbs to water with pine needles promotes additional therapeutic effects.

If you want to enhance the antibacterial effect, you should opt for chamomile flowers, oak bark, St. John's wort, a decoction of string or calendula. Ingredients such as motherwort, mint or valerian root will ensure a restful sleep. Fennel is suitable for pain relief.

Attention! Each of the herbs must first be tested separately, without combining them with pine needles. This will help eliminate possible negative consequences.

It is best to consult a competent pediatrician before using pine-herbal baths and make sure that the ingredients are compatible.

Salt

Coniferous baths with salt are prescribed for children with rickets, diseases of the skin and nervous system. They strengthen the body's defenses, improve blood circulation, and relieve itching from allergic rashes. How to do a salt bath? Use pharmaceutical sea salt soaked in pine extract, or add it separately to the prepared solution. 2 tbsp is enough. l. on a bucket of water.

Sea salt contains beneficial microelements. Baths using it are used instead of bathing in sea water. Adding pine decoction enhances the effect and gives additional properties. To soften water, you can purchase a ready-made composition with glycerin, this will help avoid drying out the skin.

Pine-salt baths for infants are quite heavy, so the action time is reduced to 10 minutes. The course includes no more than 15 procedures, then a break for 2-3 months.

Recommendations and rules

The procedure can be carried out only if the child is in good health and mood. You also need to know about some rules:

• The water temperature should be approximately 36°C;
• The water level in the bathroom should not be higher than the chest;
• The duration of the procedure should not last more than 15 minutes;
• After eating food, at least 1.5 hours should pass;
• For better sleep, it is better to use water procedures an hour before bedtime;
• Make sure that your baby does not accidentally drink the water;
• It is necessary to wash off the pine-salt solution, water or herbal solution.

The benefits of pine baths for a child are obvious; they promote the release of toxic substances, have a positive effect on health, help calm the baby and prepare him for a sound sleep. Before the procedure, be sure to consult your pediatrician.

Needles for kids

For some children, such activities are prescribed by a doctor. However, medicinal baths can also be used for preventive purposes.

They apply:

• to strengthen the immune system;
• treatment of lung diseases (cough, asthma);
• calming children suffering from hyperactivity;
• rickets therapy;
• combating insomnia, nervousness, stress.

Similar activities can be carried out for infants who are 6 months old. However, doctors prescribe water treatments with pine needles from the age of 1 year. It is strictly forbidden to use especially for babies under 1 month. At this time, babies' skin is too sensitive.

Before resorting to water procedures for children, be sure to visit a pediatrician. This will protect the baby from negative consequences. A test for the presence of an allergic reaction must also be performed.

Cost and form of release of pine extract

In the pharmacy chain you can purchase pine extract in various dosage forms. Thus, natural pine extract “Gold of the Forest” is available in the form:

1. Liquid concentrated substance. The average price for 500 ml is 360 rubles.
2. Briquettes, which can be purchased for 107 rubles per package - 2 briquettes of 50 grams each.

You can also make your own decoction of pine needles: pour 1 kg of fresh pine needles with six liters of water, then boil for 10 minutes and leave for about 4 hours. If the needles are collected in an environmentally friendly place, then the benefits from a homemade extract will be no less than from a pharmacy extract.