Alexander Zalmanov

Alexander Zalmanov - Books & the Turpentine Bath Method

Yellow and White Turpentine Bath Emulsions

Dr. Alexander Zalmanov (1875–1964) devoted much of his later medical work to the study of capillary circulation, cellular exchange and hydrotherapy.
He became particularly known for developing the therapeutic use of White and Yellow Turpentine Bath Emulsions as part of his system of Capillary Therapy. A later review in the Russian Journal of Physiotherapy, Balneology and Rehabilitation describes Zalmanov as a pioneer of capillarotherapy and specifically discusses his White and Yellow turpentine preparations.
His ideas were presented most fully in three books published in Paris by La Table Ronde. Hep Journals

Zalmanov's philosophy can be reduced to one remarkable idea:
The health of the organism depends greatly on the health of its smallest vessels. His famous phrase expresses it even more simply:

“Man is as old as his capillaries.”

The books explain the philosophy. The White and Yellow Turpentine Emulsions became one of the practical instruments through which he attempted to put that philosophy into practice.

The Secret Wisdom of the Human Body, PDF

1958 - Secrets et Sagesse du Corps, The Secret Wisdom of the Human Body

Zalmanov's first major book was published in Paris in 1958.

Here he introduced his concept of “Médecine des profondeurs” — Deep Medicine, placing particular emphasis on capillaries, cellular metabolism and the body's internal processes. The Bibliothèque nationale de France records the original French edition as Secrets et sagesse du corps, Paris, La Table Ronde, 1958. BnF Catalogue

This book became the foundation of his later work.

The Secret Wisdom of the Human Body, read PDF

1960 — Le Miracle de la Vie - The Miracle of Life

Published in Paris in 1960, the second book developed Zalmanov's ideas about the relationship between the cell, circulation, oxygen and the processes that maintain life.

The original edition was again published by La Table Ronde. BnF Catalogue

It continued the central theme of his first book:

understanding the living organism through the cell and its environment.

1965 — Les Mille Chemins de la Guérison
The Thousand Paths of Healing — From the Cell to the Sun

Zalmanov's third major work was published posthumously in 1965.

Its full French title was:

** Les Mille Chemins de la Guérison — De la cellule au soleil **

The Bibliothèque nationale de France records the Paris edition from La Table Ronde in 1965. BnF Catalogue

This final volume brought together many of the ideas that had occupied Zalmanov throughout his later career.

The Turpentine Bath

The books are important because they explain the philosophy behind the Zalmanov Turpentine Bath Method.

Zalmanov developed two principal preparations:

White Turpentine Emulsion

Traditionally used to stimulate capillary activity and, according to Zalmanov's system, to influence vascular tone.

Yellow Turpentine Solution

Traditionally associated with warming, perspiration and a tendency toward lower arterial pressure.

The two preparations could be used separately or combined in different proportions according to blood pressure and the individual's response. Hep Journals

This is why Zalmanov's method is more than simply taking a “turpentine bath.”

It is an individualized capillary-therapy system.