Patients drink herbal tea inside a tent used as a sauna as they relax after their sand bath in Siwa, Egypt, August 17, 2015. In the searing heat of summer in western Egypt, at the hottest time of the day, sufferers of rheumatism, joint pain, infertility or impotence lie buried neck-deep in the sand of Siwa near Dakrour Mountain. Locals say taking a sand bath is a natural therapy with powers to cure many medical conditions. Patients relax in the shade before treatment, which includes massages by the feet of health workers after they submerge their patients up to their neck in the desert. Patients drink mint tea in tents following the treatment. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih PICTURE 17 OF 24 FOR WIDER IMAGE STORY "THE HOT SAND BATHS OF SIWA". SEARCH "ASMAA SIWA" FOR ALL IMAGES