Bath salts are an increasingly popular way to revitalize and hydrate weary muscles, soothing dry skin, and invigorate the senses. There is something almost primal in human nature about taking a warm bath, it's a great way to connect with our inner self, refresh and recharge the batteries, and make ourselves feel alive and renewed. With the wide variety of Dead Sea salts on the market, it can be difficult knowing which one is right for you. We have taken the guesswork out of bathing water by providing a brief overview of the most popular types of bath salts and the benefits they offer.
Dead Sea salt is harvested from the Dead Sea located at the lowest salt level on Earth. This ancient mineral mixture has been used for healing for thousands of years. In modern times, the dead sea salt is considered one of the healthiest substances available, due to its high concentration of salt, minerals, and nutrients. Adding just a tiny bit of sea salt to your bath can energize circulation, relieve muscle cramps, aid in joint pain, stimulate healing of arthritis or other conditions, and even soothe aching, overworked feet and legs.
Lavender is an evergreen perennial herb known for its medicinal properties, as well as its fragrance. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, a source of food for birds and insects, and has been shown to help speed healing of many conditions. Because it has strong fragrances, it's important to note that most of the added benefits derive from the essential oil of the lavender flower, rather than the scent of the herb itself. To reap the additional benefits of lavender oil, simply soak a few drops into your bath salt and use the foot soak multiple times each week.
Peppermint The hot, sweet-smelling smell of peppermint can put a smile on the face of just about anyone. Because of this, many people opt for the natural, fresh flavor of peppermint essential oils in their own bath salt recipes. While commercially-available peppermint bath salts are available, you may want to try making your own by combining essential oils of your choice with baking soda. Use freshly grated mint leaves or mix them with a pinch of salt for an invigorating flavor that helps to calm nerves and ease the muscles.
Calcium chloride As you probably know, calcium chloride is widely used in the manufacturing of deodorant, soap, toothpaste, plastics, and even electronics. Unfortunately, this compound is harsh on the skin, particularly the skin of your face, where it can cause rashes and damage to your cellular tissues. Fortunately, you can soften the hard shell of calcium chloride using sodium chloride, which will help to reduce the harshness of the compound. Sodium hypochlorite, on the other hand, is another alternative to calcium chloride. While it does not have the same properties as the chemical, sodium hypochlorite has been proven to be safe under some circumstances.
Dead Sea Salt Certain manufacturers add Dead Sea salt to their products, claiming that it contains essential minerals and trace elements like sulfur and potassium. But, while these substances can actually have benefits for your skin, they are actually very high levels of salt, which can cause harm to your skin. High levels of sodium can actually cause dryness, roughness and flaking, but it also can lead to serious health problems including high levels of blood pressure and heart attack. In fact, the US National Library of Medicine advises against taking any supplements that contain Dead Sea salt.
Table Salt You might not think of sea salt when shopping for bath salt blends, but high table salt intake has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. Many of the world's best chefs use table salt, which is the salty part in processed foods like cookies and crackers, to make their dishes taste better. In fact, many restaurants will only include table salt on the table when customers request it. The downside to table salt is that it contains a large amount of sodium, which can lead to problems with various cardiovascular diseases.
Himalayan Salt While it is the most expensive of the four options mentioned above, Himalayan salt is also considered one of the healthiest choices you can find. It is high in magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc. This natural crystal salt can improve your health by increasing the body's ability to absorb calcium, magnesium and iron. But, because it takes an incredibly long time for Himalayan salt to absorb its minerals, it is often used as an ingredient in processed foods, rather than on the shelves where it could do the most good.
