Sea salt baths or balneal resort in your own bath

It's no secret that sea water has beneficial effects on the human body. Many scientists explain this by the fact that life on Earth was born in the world's oceans, and therefore the salt composition of the blood is much like the composition of seawater. Even before the study of the chemical composition of water substantiated this theory, ancient scientists, such as Herodotus and Hippocrates and others, noted the beneficial properties of salt and sea water. Later all the writings on this subject formed the basis of such section of non-conventional medicine as balneotherapy - the use of mineral water for baths, inhalations, bowel washing, as a drink and for the recovery of the body.

Undoubtedly, a vacation at the mineral waters or at the seashore has a positive effect on the body even of a healthy person. However, if you can not go on vacation right now, you can arrange a little break for the body without leaving home - just take a bath with sea salt.

Any type of salt is mostly made up of chloride compounds and sodium. The amount of minerals contained in salt is much smaller, but it is what minerals are contained in a particular type of salt that affects its type and properties. Sea salt is superior to other types of salt in this regard because it contains the greatest number of minerals.

Sea salt is made by evaporating sea water and usually undergoes little or no additional processing. Unlike table salt, sea salt contains special additives that prevent clumping. Salt can be either coarse or fine grind - its properties are not affected. In the salt for baths also add various dyes and flavorings.

The composition of sea salt:

• Macronutrients. For a balanced work of the body, to maintain immunity and normal growth and development of the human body needs to receive at least 100 mg of macronutrients per day. The main macronutrients we get with sea salt are sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Sodium helps to balance the amount of fluid in the body. It is also necessary for proper muscle contraction. Potassium helps the heart work and is involved in transmitting nerve impulses. Phosphorus and potassium are important in the development of healthy and strong bones and teeth.
• Micronutrients. Needed by the body in much smaller amounts than macronutrients. Depending on where the salt is made, it may be rich in iron, iodine, manganese, and zinc. Iron helps muscle and red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Iodine is an important component of thyroid hormones and regulates your body temperature. Manganese promotes proper bone development and speeds up the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates. Zinc is involved in the formation of new cells and in wound healing.

• Sea salt helps the body get rid of toxins and metabolic byproducts through the lymphatic system. This, in turn, reduces the amount of fluid that accumulates in the ankles, hips and knees.
• Baths with sea salt are used as a complementary treatment for certain childhood illnessessuch as acute respiratory tract infections or bedwetting (urinary incontinence).
• Standing in warm, salty water relaxes the muscles throughout the body.. With the help of baths with sea salt it is possible to get rid of pain caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, and they also help with diseases of the joints and spine.
• Sea salt has an antimicrobial effect on the skin. With the help of such baths are struggling with various skin diseases, as well as they are used to maintain skin elasticity and firmness.
• In addition, these baths have a positive effect on the nervous system.

As we mentioned above, the type of sea salt depends on what minerals and additives it contains. The following types of additives are appropriate:

• iodobromine additives;
• sulfide additives;
• plant extracts;
• selenium;
• bischofite.

Each type of bath is recommended for people with certain diseases and problems, and for some people such baths are contraindicated.

General contraindications to salt baths:

• The bath should not be taken in the first 1-1.5 hours after eating;
• Bathing is strictly prohibited for people under the influence of alcohol;
• In some cardiac diseases such as arrhythmia, severe heart failure;
• In the presence of cancer;
• During exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• You should not take a bath and in the first few weeks after surgery;
• Salt baths are contraindicated for people with acute and chronic infectious diseases;
• It is also recommended to refrain from salt baths during menstruation.

In addition, a salt bath with iodobromine additives should not be taken if:

• elevated levels of thyroid hormones,
• at any stage of pregnancy,
• at gout,
• obesity.

Salt baths with sulfide additives are prohibited for people with:

• bronchial asthma,
• hyperthyroidism,
• Kidney and liver damage,
• patients with epilepsy
• In the period of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease.

Salt baths with herbal extracts Do not take if you are hypersensitive to the component.

Water procedures with selenium Forbidden for people who have any kind of tumor.

Bischofit Harmful to those who have high levels of iodine or bromine in the body, as well as in any disease in the acute stage.

Diseases for which salt baths are indicated:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system and blood vessels;
• skin diseases;
• inflammatory diseases of the genital system;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• In the presence of injuries of the central and peripheral nervous system.

• Before you fill up the tub, take a shower, as during and after taking a salt bath, you can not use soap and other cleansers. Rinse with running tap water after the bath is also not allowed - you need to have a salt coating on your skin for at least another hour.
• Fill the bathtub with hot water at about 38-40 degrees.
• Pour the required amount of sea salt in the bath according to the instructions and wait until it completely dissolves.
• The duration of the salt bath is 15-20 minutes. Try to relax as much as possible during this time.
• After the procedure, wipe your skin with a towel.
• The course of treatment is usually 10-15 sessions with a break in a couple of days.

Some people find that the effect of conventional salt baths is not enough and they use baking soda as a supplement. It is believed that a bath with baking soda is better able to remove toxins from the body and is indicated after alcohol, food or drug poisoning. However, much more often baking soda is added to the salt bath by those who want to lose weight. But it is better not to carry out such a procedure without a doctor's consultation.

Some also advise adding essential oils to the bath, which will not only help to relax and create a pleasant atmosphere in the bath during the procedure, but also have anti-cellulite properties. The most popular among the essential oils for fighting cellulite is orange essential oil. However, essential oils must be used with caution because they are all highly allergic.

Many people recommend combining salt baths with hydro-massage. It is believed that in this case you can achieve a more pronounced anti-cellulite effect. But we warn you: sea salt should never be used with the whirlpool! The salt water can damage the motor of the device. If you want to use the whirlpool, you must first take a whirlpool bath, then switch it off and only then pour the sea salt into the tub. This way you will not damage the mechanism and get double the benefit of the procedure.

Local salt baths for the feet are also very popular. They help to relieve swelling, get rid of fatigue, normalize blood vessels, clean the feet of dirt and germs, and get rid of unpleasant odor.

The procedure is simple: you must first wash your feet, pour the required amount of sea salt into a basin of warm water, immerse your feet in it and take them out after 15 minutes. There is no need to wash off the salt.

Salt baths are useful for children no less than for adults. With the help of baths with sea salt is the prevention of cardiovascular and endocrine system diseases, as well as various skin diseases and rashes. Such baths strengthen the immune system, as well as help to calm the nervous system, so they are recommended to do just before bedtime.

Before using carefully read the instructions on the package. In most cases, manufacturers recommend salt baths for children over three years old. Give preference to fine grind sea salt, without dyes and fragrances - the skin of small children is very allergic and sensitive. Before bathing the child should be rinsed with running water or washed with soap. Unlike adults, children's skin should be rinsed immediately with salt after bathing.