Although much of Mayan culture has disappeared, descendants
of ancient Mayan civilization have preserved specific remedies that are still
utilized today to treat various ailments…
One of the most prominent existing forms of ancient Mayan
medicine is the sweat bath/lodge that is widely popular for its purification
element. Ancient Mayan rulers would visit these sweat lodges regularly
believing in the potency of sweat to clear their heads from mental and
spiritual ailments. Emerging from the confines of the sweat lodge, rulers would
feel especially refreshed and level headed. This stimulating experience was one
that was shared to even some commoners.
There has been evidence of large groups of people, often
entire cities strongly encouraged to partake in sweat baths following the
belief that the purification received from sweat baths would ensure the favor
of the gods. The appeasement of the gods was sometimes equated to the
purification of entire communities via sweat baths.
Ancient depiction of the "temezcal"
The Mayan sweat bath or the “temezcal” is comparable to
modern day saunas. The sweat lodges were constructed out of either bricks or
stones creating sturdy walls and ceilings with a small opening in the ceiling. Hot
rocks often times with embers were placed either in the middle of the sweat
lodge’s floor close to the opening within the ceiling. The steam for the sweat
bath was created when tepid water was slowly poured onto the hot rocks and
embers. The steam would envelop the people sitting within the confines of the
sweat lodge. People would remain in sweat lodges for varying periods of time
sweating out impurities and sicknesses.
The interior of a "temezcal" at Chichen Itza
Today there have been variations of sweat lodges that exist
hailing from the ancient Mayan medicinal ritual. Throughout areas of Guatemala
sweat lodges have been a primary tourist attraction and a means for people to
delve into this medicinal experience in the most authentic manner possible.
The Xcaret Sweat Lodge located on the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula boasts an "authentic and rejuvenating" experience to tourists.
