My introduction to Edgar Cayce back in 1971 was through a Search for God Study Group, which met weekly in the home of a life member. In addition to discussions on metaphysical subjects, we also learned about the application of homemade remedies, a topic with which I was familiar thanks to my maternal grandmother, who practiced what today we’d call hydrotherapy. She used items around the house, especially water, for most of her aches and pains and other health issues that she was experiencing. As a child, I really didn’t know what to make of all these hands-on medical remedies, but her example and strong belief made an impression on me.
The Cayce readings are replete with descriptions of such remedies, carefully noting when, how, and how long to apply them. Forty-three individuals, in a total of 54 readings, were given the suggestion to massage an area of soreness using a combination of salt and apple cider vinegar (Baar’s Salt N’ Cider Rub™ is pre-mixed for you). The massage (or “rub,” as Cayce often referred to it) was, of course, to be given locally to the troubled area–in other words, the salt and vinegar was not to be used as a lubricant for a full-body massage!
The individuals receiving this advice range in age from 14 to 83. The dates of their readings span the years from 1920 to 1944. The complaints they were experiencing which warranted the prescription of a salt and vinegar rub basically include: a variety of strained or torn muscles, ligaments, or tendons; joint problems; injuries from falls or accidents, old or recent; fractured bones; sprains; or bruises. In a few readings, questions were asked on how to deal with pain in a certain area. No explanation was given as to the cause of the pain.
Application of the Remedy
As suggested by Cayce, apply the mixture to the sore, injured area of your body, rubbing it in with your fingers. Cayce emphasized that this application should be done gently. The rubbing may result in increased pain or irritation of the skin, even redness may occur; these outcomes, according to the readings, are of no particular concern. Cayce did caution against breaking the skin, so the pressure should not be too hard. The mixture, however, should not be rubbed over skin that is already broken.
The readings also at times specify which areas to massage–not just the location of the sprain or break, but on the surrounding tissues. For example, a 16-year-old male with rheumatism in his knees was to rub not only the joints around the knees but also the feet, hips, and abdomen, and the body parts that are stiff: the arms, lower back, shoulder, and the lymphatic centers in the extremities (arms and legs).
If the body part is wrapped in a cast, splint, or bandage, Cayce advises waiting until these are removed before massaging the area. In another explanation he states that one should allow a sufficient time for healing to elapse before the massage is begun.
After the massage–which shouldn’t last too long–some were told to bathe the area with tepid water; others, who were receiving the massage in the evening before retiring, would wait until the following morning to wash the area in warm water. A few were told that following the massage wrap a cloth around the area like a poultice; some were told to place a heating pad over the cloth. For some individuals no particular directions for follow-up were given.
One final note regarding applications: Cayce often recommended other remedies used in conjunction with the rub, such as colonics, exercise, spinal adjustments, and changes in attitude, if such were needed. Of course, in addition to the injured area, the recipients often had other health conditions, such as heart, kidney, or digestive problems that also had to be addressed. Occasionally one remedy alone may not be sufficient to heal the injured tissues.
Frequency of Application
At least once a day, up to 2 or 3 times daily, or every other day or weekly are some of the recommendations given on how often to apply the mixture. Depending upon the results, the application might be carried out for several days, 5 to 6 days, or 3 weeks, or until the distress disappears. In only one reading, for a sprained ankle, is a specific time length given for how long to massage: about 20 minutes; most of the other readings simply imply a shorter amount of time for the application.
Results
Frequently after Cayce provided the specific instructions for the massage, he added words of encouragement to the recipient, noting that if the recommendations were followed, the condition would disappear, relief would be obtained, and strength would be given to the affected area. Another reading stated that “this will enliven the tissue.” Considering the causes of their ailments, this was certainly welcomed news. One woman had dropped an electric iron on her ankle, resulting in swelling and bruising. Another woman fell down the stairs fracturing her wrist in 5 pieces; a skiing accident injured another woman. A traffic cop broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. A woman injured her hip in a fall. An auto accident injured a woman’s right knee which resulted in her developing palsy, while another woman was hit and knocked down by a truck. An auto accident left another woman with a fractured arm (she was pursuing a lawsuit against the driver). Lastly, a woman sprained both wrists from “crushing tin cans for government salvage.” Additionally people were suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, ataxia, neurasthenia, asthma, neuritis, St. Vitus dance, hypertension, and toxemia.
The results of using the salt and vinegar rub, according to the Cayce readings, had to do with what this mixture would supply to one’s body:
“This will help strengthen the tendons and muscles and give better elasticity, as well as aiding the general body.” (40-year-old woman, 1/29/44, fractured femur)
“[The saturated solution of common salt with vinegar] will aid in stimulating the circulation and carrying those properties from the vibrations of same to affected portions.” (59-year-old woman, 7/13/35, fractured arm)
An adult male (no age given) was suffering from inflamed ligaments due to poor eliminations and poor circulation. His reading on January 7, 1924, states that the vinegar and salt combination would “create the necessary vibration for circulation to remove conditions, by producing counter irritation in parts affected.”
To a 55-year-old woman with a fractured arm, Cayce suggested after removing the splint to rub the mixture in every day–not too much–but to stimulate the circulation so that “the body absorbs some of the sodium chloride.”
As stated earlier in this article, results range from noncompliance to excellent. For many people feedback was lacking entirely, yet several noted improvements or good results from following their reading.
“My leg is just about getting in shape…”
“I used the vinegar and salt on my [sprained] ankle with excellent results. It is much better.”
One testimonial comes from Mrs. Ann Milano, who sent Dr. Harold J. Reilly a letter on July 19, 1968, regarding her daughter, who used the salt and vinegar massage. She states that it “helped my daughter heal a sprained hand. She was able to move it after an application. This after nothing helped for a year.”
So this “good news” can be of help and assistance to anyone with sprains or torn ligaments or broken bones from an injury or accident. The information from the Cayce readings demonstrates positive results, which encourages any attempts one may make to heal one’s body.
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Elaine Hruska is a therapist at the A.R.E. Houston Spa and former teacher at the Cayce/Reilly* School of Massotherapy. This article is reprinted with permission by Venture Inward Newsletter, Virginia Beach, VA.
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I had used this procedure (discovered by my mother in the Edgar Cayce readings in Virginia Beach) for a weight lifting strained muscle in my left shoulder’s bicipital groove 40 years ago. I found at the time that after the start of the vinegar-salt paste that the sore area may get even sorer for the next day or two, but then noticeably get better. I recommend it.