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History of Bathing in Vichy Water

The Vichy Baths date to the times of The Roman conquest of what is now France when Julius Caesar discovered “Vichy” water or literally “hot cross” meaning warm water crossing their path. The story relates that Caesar's horses, depleted of minerals from the hard pace they had kept, drank the water and became immediately stronger. A spa was established in the center of France called “Vichy” by the Romans that exists to this day.

Much the same happened in Ukiah. Vichy Springs was known for 5,000 plus years to the local Native American Pomo tribes that consisted of small extended families with unique languages. Vichy Springs, called “katuct” (water of eggs), was used for the same reasons that the Vichy Celestins and Vichy St. Yorre waters were and are used in France.

Vichy waters have unique characteristics when consumed including the relief of stomach acidity, it's effect is like a natural Alka Seltzer. It is used for gout, stomach ulcers, rheumatism and arthritis. Externally the Pomos then and Americans today use it for burns, cuts, rashes, abrasions of the skin, sunburn, psoriasis, eczema, and locally it was and is renowned as an immediate cure for poison oak.

For the fit and firm the baths are simply one of the most relaxing feelings one can experience in water. The carbonation after three or four minutes dramatically relaxes the body's largest organ, the skin, and dilates the body's capillaries. This yields the bather a feeling of warmth and peacefulness. Tranquility follows and usually the bather begins to gently float in the bath. Due to the unique properties of the water the bather's skin is softened in the water and feels much like a baby's.

Europeans also know that carbonated Vichy Water, along with its high and balanced mineral content, relieves those with extreme circulatory problems. Diabetics and others stay at Vichy, France, and Vichy Springs, Ukiah and bathe several times per day with dramatic circulatory increases.