The sand baths in Merzouga in the Sahara desert is an ancient Berber treatment for curing ailments affecting the joints, muscles and tendons. It can be done during the hottest months of July and August. For the preparation of the bath, a hole is dug in the sand the size of the person taking the bath and about 20cm deep. The hole is left open for half an hour to allow the desert heat to penetrate into the sand. Once sufficiently hot, the person lies in the hole and is “buried” in sand, obviously leaving the head free. The person spends typically from 10-30 minutes in the bath, during which water is available for quenching thirst!
