Fewer health and healing therapies are so time-tested as the powerful therapy known as sea salt bathing. And fewer relaxation and restorative treatments today are more commonly used in the home -- and sought after! -- as the fragrant, soothing salted bath.
And there's a solid scientific reason that the body craves salt to ease its physical and psychological distress!
The great Hippocrates himself, known still as the father of modern medicine, first made the discovery of sea salt's healing qualities when he observed its effects on ancient fishermen. These workers often suffered injuries at sea, yet the presence of salt seemed to magically and quickly heal the skin and alleviate the pain.
Today, scientists, spa-keepers and even sports medical personnel know that indeed, the minerals in sea salt, when mixed with water, can cleanse the body of toxins, ease muscle and joint pain, rejuvenate skin cells and set both body and mind on the path to recovery.
Bath Salt Therapies
There are several different types of water and bath salt therapies, including salt scrubs and salt soaks. Some, such as heliotherapy, are best left in the hands of medical doctors when used to treat or cure skin diseases such as psoriasis or even skin cancers. Heliotherapy uses the interactions among sea salt, water, minerals and blood, tapping the sun's natural energy and radiation to feed the body's immune system.
Another popular and time-honored sea salt therapy is thalassotherapy, or salt sea bath. It's used to detoxify the body by using heated saline seawater to prompt a chemical exchange between the immersed body and the mineral-rich sea water. Heated sea water, rich in potassium, magnesium, iodine and bromide, is remarkably similar in properties to human body fluid.
Another form of salt-and-water therapy that's immensely popular with today's bath salts aficionados is phytotherapy. This type of bath salt treatment adds the nourishing qualities of selected herbs, flowers and plants directly to the salts, to enhance the bathing process.
Mix yourself a bath salt therapy!
Most folks can't spare the time or money to regularly visit spas and resorts whenever their skin is losing its glow or their spirits are sagging. Here are two home-style remedies you can mix up yourself!
* Bath Salt Revitalizing Shower: A quick and easy pick-me-up that will leave your body glowing. Use a fragranced salt scrub, applying it in an all-over pattern to your dry skin before you step into the shower. Keep a towel on the shower floor as the oils may produce a slippery surface when you're done.
Don't turn on the shower or rinse the salt off until you've covered and scrubbed your entire body. What you're doing is literally stripping off your old, dead skin cells and exchanging minerals and oils with the sea salt!
Your skin will not only glow when you're done -- you'll feel revitalized and smooth as silk!
* Dead Sea Bath Salt: Many manufacturers produce therapeutic Dead Sea salts. Using about two pounds of bath salts from the Dead Sea, draw yourself a heated bath -- warm, not hot -- and settle in to relax quietly for at least half an hour. You may want to keep a jug of fresh water nearby to keep the fluid levels high in your body as it exchanges minerals with the rejuvenating sea salts.
You'll find yourself relaxed, physically and mentally, when you step into your robe!
Whatever method of salt therapy you choose, you can't escape the wonderfully nourishing and revitalizing benefits of bath salts, one of Mother Nature's kindest gifts to cleanse the human body and soul!
» left by Mary from Bentonville, AR (2 years 91 days ago.)
Yes, very informative; it is amazing how much we miss by lack of knowledge of the natural healing properties of simple everyday minerals and materials Respond to this comment
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