Chapter 3 - Sun Light

Chapter 3
Sun Light


Even as you can benefit by water, as already explained you can benefit by exposing the body to the sun to the extent possible. What is known as sun bath is very very essential for body health. Sun bath, can be taken for a little while, say, fifteen minutes. If you cannot take it daily, take it at least once a week. Allow the sun’s rays to fall on the body. It is needed for all. Sun bath is not to be taken in the hottest part of the day. Have it when the sunlight is mild. We want the light and not the heat. Early morning or late in the evening are ideal times. Lie down where you can have privacy, with as little cloth on the body as possible. Lie own on plain surface with the head in the shade. The head is exposed to the sun all the time. So the head does not require it. Lie down facing the sun. Let the sun’s rays fall on the body, on the skin. When you take sun bath the skin manufactures vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed for all persons not only for the rickety and tubercular patients. In the absence of vitamin D you will not be able to assimilate calcium. The sun bath not only supplies you vitamin D, but also improves blood circulation. It tones up, improves, the metabolic activity. It stirs up elimination. So many things are being done during the sun bath. It does not cost you anything. Have a little exposure to the sun.

Most of our children are very poor in health. Synthetic vitamin D will not replace natural vitamin D. Give them sun bath regularly. Well, lie down with the front part exposed to the sun for 10, 15, 20 minutes. It is not necessary to lie down or a long time. The idea is no to tan the skin. After a little while, lie on the stomach so that the back also will be exposed to the sun for the same period. Expose the entire skin to the sun. Well the skin will be toned up. Immediately after the sun bath, have a cold bath. Do not apply the soap. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. The vitamin D manufactured while you are taking the sun bath, is kept on the skin surface. It takes some time for the body to absorb it. Immediately after you take the sun bath, if you apply soap the vitamin D will be removed. Vitamin D is an osteogenetic vitamin. It is a bone-building vitamin. It is needed for everyone. In certain cases where the person is very very weak, lying in the sun causes a burning sensation as uncomfortable sensation. In such cases, we put a plantain leaf over him. We allow the sun’s rays to penetrate the plantain leaf and fall on the body. The greener side of the plantain leaf should touch the body. The paler part above. Over that put a thin white wet cloth so that the plantain leaf does not fly away. Sun’s rays will penetrate the plantain leaf and fall on the skin. And have the diet reform with fasting. Little by little the patient improves and he will be able to take the direct sun bath. After the sun bath take the full bath. It is very necessary.