25/10/2024
Black Sands -- The Unknown Gold
by Dr. Abdelaty Elannaee
n the Egyptian deserts, various types of sand are known for their unique chemical composition, and some patients seek healing by covering their bodies with sand in what is known as “hot sand baths.” These sands are said to help treat bone diseases, rheumatism, and psoriasis, and are also believed to beautify the skin and aid in weight loss. However, the process of burying the body in the sand can cause fear in some patients, and the heat of the sand may prevent them from completing the treatment. Thus, this therapeutic method requires patients who are patient and can endure the heat. Siwa Oasis is one of the most famous places where sand baths are used for patients with rheumatism, joint pain, and other conditions, along with Aswan, South Sinai, the oases, and Safaga.
Sand Baths
The warm sand bath is characterized by magnetic waves, mechanical pressure, and the ability to quickly absorb and retain the sun’s heat. These elements have a physical effect that is effective in treating many diseases, particularly cases of rheumatism, arthritis, chronic lower back pain (lumbago), and vascular inflammation caused by blood clotting.
Medical reports from complementary medicine experts confirm a high success rate in treating conditions through sand baths. Success rates are approximately 97% for rheumatism and 95% for arthritis, depending on the patient’s condition and the severity of the disease. Notably, most patients who underwent medical follow-up were previously unable to walk without assistance but were able to walk normally after completing the treatment programs.
Steps of Burying in Sand Baths
Although the practitioners of sand therapy in Egypt have not studied medicine or nursing, they follow a traditional method passed down through generations. The patient is required to eat breakfast by 10 a.m., at least three hours before being buried, so that the stomach is neither empty nor full. A pit is dug to the appropriate depth for the patient’s body in the sand dunes near Dakrour Mountain, hours before the burial, so that the pit is exposed to ultraviolet rays and interacts with the sand dunes.
The patient’s body is wrapped in white cloth after removing all clothing to maximize the benefit from the sand’s heat. A rough cloth is then placed over the body to balance the heat between the sand and the body. Once the patient is lying comfortably in the pit, the body is covered entirely with sand, except for the face. The amount of sand covering the body should be sufficient for treatment but not too heavy to hinder natural breathing. A shade is placed over the face to protect it from the sun.
The patient remains buried for about an hour, during which they are closely monitored. If the patient feels shortness of breath or discomfort, the sand is quickly removed, even if the time under the sand was brief. Some people are eager to undergo the burial to treat their illnesses, but once in the pit, they become fearful due to the heat and cannot endure it. In such cases, the practitioners lift the patient immediately to avoid any dangerous tension, which could lead to shortness of breath or fainting.
After the session, the sand is gently removed from the patient’s body, and they are immediately covered to prevent exposure to cold air, which could cause serious consequences. The patient remains covered for two hours. During the short time in the hot pit, usually no more than 15 minutes, the patient benefits from the elements and minerals in the sand, such as iron and calcium, and excess water and toxins are expelled from the body.
Afterward, the patient is removed from the pit, and the sand is shaken off. They are covered with a blanket, as they may feel cold, regardless of the outside temperature. The patient is then moved to a closed tent, similar to a sauna, where they are given hot drinks like fenugreek, anise, and licorice. They continue drinking hot beverages, and later, a meal consisting of goat soup, bird meat, and salad is provided, with dinner including soup, meat, and salad.
In each session, the patient is buried for 15 minutes, and after the sand baths, they undergo a massage with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. It is important that the patient does not bathe for two days after the sand baths to allow the body to fully benefit from the sand’s effects.
Practitioners have observed that women tend to have stronger endurance than men during the treatment.
Timing of Burial in Sand and Its Importance:
It is preferable to undergo sand burial in the months of June, July, August, and September. Sand therapists claim that the dry weather and the mineral salts present in the sand and water all contribute to the healing process. The heat of the sand, reaching about 40°C, acts like a machine that draws toxins from the patient’s body.
Many scientific studies and research have been conducted on the sands of Dakrour Mountain and the mineral- and sulfur-rich springs and wells in Siwa, proving their role in healing. Research has shown that these sands contain beneficial radiation for treating some chronic diseases.
The residents who perform the burial emphasize that although sand therapy is ancient and traditional, modern science has proven its effectiveness. The sand has a therapeutic role because it contains clay minerals that generate negative charges when they come into contact with water, attracting the positive charges of toxins from the outer layers of the skin.
Additionally, the presence of trace amounts of radioactive minerals such as monazite and thorium is beneficial for treating skin and bone diseases. Small concentrations of elements that boost the immune system, such as strontium, selenium, and sulfur, are also present. Lastly, ultraviolet rays from the sun are beneficial for the patient’s body, creating an ideal healing environment, which is why sand is effective in treating many diseases.
It is essential to ensure that there are no unhealed wounds or ulcers on the body before undergoing a sand bath.
