Did you know how a sea salt bath can relieve stress, body ache and ailments? This article is about sea salts, and how you can benefit from a sea salt bath. Sounds cool? Just take a look!
Sea salt bath is the use of bath salts derived from sea water, in your bath. Bath salts are nothing but inorganic water-soluble salts which, when dissolved in water, enhance your bathing experience and provide relief from pains, aches, certain skin diseases, arthritis, etc. A sea salt bath soothes your senses and helps you relax, taking away the stress of a hectic day. The most common bath salts include the chlorides and sulfates of magnesium, potassium and sodium.
The healing properties of sea water was first discovered by Hippocrates, the father of medicine, when he observed that fishermen recovered from minor cuts and wounds faster, as a result of their regular exposure to the therapeutic salts in sea water. But do salts really have therapeutic properties? Well, the answer to this question is yes: salt is a purifier that prevents the growth of microbes and checks the spread of infection. It stabilizes irregular heartbeats, plays a key role in the extraction of excess acidity from the body cells, helps in maintaining blood sugar levels, plays a key role in neurotransmission and prevents the occurrence of muscle cramps. In addition to this, salt is a natural antihistamine that prevents and controls allergic reactions.
Benefits of Sea Salt Bath
Sea salt is obtained by the simple process of evaporation of sea water. This is the reason why it retains all the essential minerals that are absent in table salt, which is obtained by the process of kiln-drying. The process of kiln-drying results in loss of trace minerals and salts of calcium, magnesium and potassium, leaving behind only sodium chloride. However, sea salts have several beneficial effects when used as bath salts. Thalassotherapy is the name given to the process of using sea water as a therapeutic agent. Let’s see some of the ways in which you can benefit from a sea salt bath.
Improves Blood Circulation
During this process, your body releases toxins produced in the cells and in turn absorbs the minerals present in the water. This improves circulation of blood to different parts of the body, which results in cell growth and skin that glows with health.
Strengthens the Immune System
The sea salts improve the body’s immune system and makes it stronger. An active immune system protects the body against various infectious diseases and pathogens and this helps us stay healthy.
Reduces Stress
Regular use of bath salts can drive away the blues, for good! This is because the minerals present in these natural salts, causes muscle relaxation, and has a soothing effect on the body and mind.
Cures Skin Diseases
It has been scientifically proven that regular use of sea salts are effective in curing of skin ailments like psoriasis, eczema, acne vulgaris, rashes and infections by microbes such as bacteria and fungi. This is due to the high concentration of magnesium, which plays a key role in restoring skin hydration. Not only this, the anti-oxidants present in sea salts, minimize the symptoms of aging.
Prevents Allergies
The antihistamine properties of bromide and magnesium present in sea salts, prevents the outbreak of allergies.
Exfoliates Skin
The phosphate bath salts have exfoliating properties, which means that these salts remove the dead skin cells and makes your skin glow.
In addition to the above mentioned benefits, a sea salt bath helps regularize sleep patterns, increases concentration levels and induces weight loss. Some people believe that certain salts have the power to ward off “evil eye”.
Salts Used
It is essential to choose the right sea salt for your bath. While purchasing bath salts, beware of fake products that claim to be genuine. All over the world, the most popular salts used are the Dead Sea salts, as it is believed that these salts are more effective as compared to salts from other seas. The water in the Adovia region of the Dead Sea yields salts of the highest therapeutic value. Now, let us have a look at the average chemical composition of most Dead Sea salts and the respective therapeutic value of each constituent.
| Chemical Name of Mineral | Chemical Formulae | Content in Percentage (%) | Therapeutic Value |
| Magnesium Chloride | MgCl2 | 33.3 |
|
| Potassium Chloride | KCl | 24.3 |
|
| Sodium Chloride | NaCl | 5.5 |
|
| Calcium Chloride | CaCl2 | 0.2 |
|
| Bromide | Br– | 0.5 |
|
| Sulfates | SO4 | 0.15 |
|
The salt content of the water of the Dead Sea is about ten times that of any other sea in the world. In addition to the salts of the Dead Sea, Himalayan salts, and salts of the Black Sea can be effective ingredients for a sea salt bath.
How to Have a Sea Salt Bath
Wondering how you too can reap the benefits of sea salt? Well, it is quite simple. All you need is a bit of essential oil, to get started! Which essential oil to choose depends solely on the effect you want. Now, fill the tub with hot water and a few drops of the essentials oils. Next, add about 16 ounces of the sea salt to the water. Place a piece of quartz crystal near the tub, as this is told to bring in positive energy. Now, imagine your stress, worries and all your negative emotions and experiences leaving your body through your toes and into the water. Soak yourself for at least an hour, while you try to relax as much as possible. You can listen to some soothing melodies, at the same time if you find it helps you relax more. Now, remove the stopper of the tub, and as the water drains out slowly, try to imagine a new you: renewed and rejuvenated! Now get up slowly, take a shower and wipe yourself with a clean, dry towel.
Sea salts can also be used for treatment procedures such as halotherapy and speleotherapy. While halotherapy involves the use of dry aerosol particles of the salts, for speleotherapy, patients are instructed to spend time residing inside salt mines. These treatment procedures help cure respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis.
Traditionally, sea salts were sold in opaque boxes but today, many come in attractive packages. Sometimes, oils, colors and fragrances are added to the bath salts. So, now that you are familiar with the many benefits of a sea salt bath, you must be knowing what to do the next time you’re back home, tired after a hectic day at work!
