Dead Sea Salt Spa Treatments

The Dead Sea has been recognized for thousands of years for its healing and therapeutic properties. People suffering from various skin conditions travel thousands of miles to visit spas in this seaside area of Israel and bask in the Dead Sea's healing waters, which have a salt content of 33 percent, making it the second saltiest body of water in the world. As traveling to the Dead Sea may be impractical for most, administering Dead Sea salt treatments in the privacy of your own home is a more convenient option.

About Dead Sea Salt

What makes Dead Sea salt so therapeutic? It contains a wide variety of naturally occurring minerals that are beneficial to the body. In fact, a German study conducted by Dr. J. Arndt demonstrates the healing abilities of Dead Sea salts. In treatments lasting three to four weeks, psoriasis patients took three to four baths per week in Dead Sea salts.
According to Arndt, "Healing was complete in 27 patients (54 percent), and in the other 22 cases there was vast improvement in their condition." None of the patients in the study experienced any side effects.
Experts believe the success is at least in part due to minerals found in the water, including magnesium, which helps relax body muscles, bromide, which soothes the skin and helps calm nerves, and potassium, which helps balance moisture in the skin and body and relieves water retention. The salts also contain sulfur, which works as a powerful detoxifying agent, as well as calcium, zinc, sodium and iodine.

Bath Treatment

Run a warm bath and add about 1 pound of Dead Sea salt to the bathwater, as well as a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oils to enhance the therapeutic properties of the treatment. Similarly, adding a handful of Dead Sea salt to a foot bath helps relax tired feet, particularly when complemented by the addition of a few drops of peppermint oil, which helps stimulate circulation.

Exfoliating Treatment

Treat your skin to an exfoliating scrub by combining equal parts Dead Sea salt and olive oil, then gently massaging the mixture onto your face and body. This treatment will help remove dead skin particles, soften skin, stimulate circulation and assist in the body's natural detoxification process. Rinse your body with fresh water to complete the treatment.

Steam Therapy

Prepare a bowl of steaming hot water and dissolve a handful of Dead Sea salt in it. Drape a towel over your head, covering the bowl as well. Hold your face about a foot above the surface of the water and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water to help relieve sinus congestion.

Scalp Treatment

Dead Sea salts are also helpful in treating dandruff, as rubbing them into the scalp helps improve circulation and may stimulate hair regrowth. Wet your head and rub the salts in a circular motion on your scalp. Finish with a clean water rinse or shampoo and conditioner. In addition, mixing Dead Sea salt into your hair conditioner will help add body and shine to dull or lifeless hair.

References

• The Miracle of the Dead Sea

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on 8/13/2009 Thanks for the advise. Great article!