How hot springs cured my constant cold
THE PROBLEM
I always seem to have a cold and after months of intermittent winter bugs, globules of mucus linger in my throat, causing coughing fits at night.
THE SOLUTION
Grotta Giusti, an ancient thermal spa retreat in the rolling hills of Tuscany. The resort is home to the largest natural thermal cave in Europe, dating back more than 100million years. The Grotta is surrounded by a pool of natural hot springs which are at a constant 36C, said to improve circulation and relax both body and mind.
THE TREATMENT
The day begins with a brief consultation with the on-site dietician and health adviser who check my diet, exercise routine and alcohol consumption and decide my sniffles would be best addressed with several hours in the hottest corners of the caves.
The first, coolest pool in the rocky labyrinth is called Paradise and heated to 28C. I move on to the hotter section, Purgatory, and breathe deeply into my stomach, holding for five seconds before exhaling.
Next, to the intense 34C heat of ‘Inferno’ – 14 degrees above average room temperature. The air is predictably heavy and trickles of sweat travel from my nose to my lips as my breathing becomes more exaggerated.
I wander out after an hour and the regular air temperature hits me like a cold flannel.
In the evening I take a dip in the hot springs under a sky of twinkling stars. As I bob about in the empty waters, I notice the seismic change in my body: I haven’t coughed or sniffed once in the past two hours.
I wake next morning, having slept all night without a single coughing fit. A week later and the box of tissues I bought at the airport remains unopened. I guess natural remedies aren’t always just a load of hot air.
EMMA NELSON