Bath Salt Therapy

The combination of sea salts and water is the basis of many powerful therapeutic
treatments. There are numerous types of Water Therapy administered at spas,
ayurvedic & holistic centers, and health clinics around the world. Sports therapy
clinics use Hydrotherapy Baths to help patients recover from joint and muscle
injuries. Dermatologists are recommending Bokek Dead Sea Salt baths for
patients with psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin conditions. Estheticians
emphasize the cleansing properties of a sea salt bath to clean pores and to
detoxify the body. Cancer patients use water therapy to help deal with radiation
treatments. There are even Water Therapies you can use on a daily or weekly
basis in your own home.

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, discovered the therapeutic qualities of
seawater by noticing the healing affects it had on the injured hands of fishermen.
The seawater not only restricted infection risks, but patients who followed
treatments involving the use of seawater found that it also promoted pain relief.
It is now known that sea salt therapy is an effective treatment that assists in the
rejuvenation of the cells and also induces a healthy exchange of minerals and
toxins between the blood and the water.

Types of Water Therapies:
Balneotherapy - a range of treatments with warm mineral salt water, from bathing
or underwater massage jets to plain drinking. Alkaline water helps stimulate the
secretion of bile, while hypnotic water has diuretic effects and is often used for
treating kidney stones.

Heliotherapy - use of the sunís creative properties. Despite recent awareness of
skin cancers, sun remains an excellent source of energy, boosts immunity and
stabilizes mood when used appropriately. Skin treatments combine this with sea
salt baths but should only be used together under the supervision of a doctor.

Phytotherapy - treatments with wild-growing herbs, plants, flowers or leaves. Used
in salt baths, oils or infusions, their effect can be superior to pharmacological
treatments for some medical conditions. Perfect for combining with sea salt.

Thalassotherapy - therapeutic baths using warm seawater. The application of
seawater (which is very similar to the bodyís own internal fluids) allow magnesium
and potassium to be drawn into the blood stream while toxins are actively
eliminated.


Sea Salt Therapy Treatments at the Spa
Sea water, which is rich in minerals and microelements, has wonderful therapeutic
properties when heated up to 33-340C. The following are only a few examples of
Spa Procedures that incorporate Sea Salt Therapies:

1. Jacuzzi: a hydromassage in the bath filled with warm sea water for 20 minutes;

2. Sea Salt Wrap: soothing and healing spring water will leave your skin soft and
invigorated.Used in combination with sea salts and individualized essential oils, it
stimulates circulation, increases lymph flow and detoxifies the whole system.

3. "Under Shower" Massage: a light body massage with waterproof cream while
having a warm sea water shower

4. "Under Water" Massage: a strong jet body massage while lying down in a warm
salt bath

5. Salt Glows: a special blend of sea salts and aromatherapy oils gently exfoliates
dead skin cells leaving the skin toned, glowing and stimulated. Salt exfoliations
are wonderful when paired with a body wrap.

6. Aroma Massage: a gentle sea salt exfoliation prepares your skin to better
receive the benefits of aromatherapy and massage for the ultimate in relaxation
of body and mind.


Sea Salt Therapy at Home
You may not always have the time to visit a resort or spa. There are several
therapies you can enjoy at
home with little or no mess and preperation:

1. Thalassotherapy Bath: Draw a warm bath (37-400C) and add a Dead Sea Salt
Cell* (see below). Dim the lights and soak for 20-30 minutes. Music will also add to
the experience. Drink plenty of water durring and after your soak. Pat dry when
finished and wrap in a warm bath robe. You'll feel relaxed and rejuvinated.

2. Salt Glow: You can purchase a favorite brand or create your own from scratch
(look under ërecipesí). Apply salt scub to dry skin. The shower is the perfect, easy
to clean up, place for this. Be sure to massage entire body. The salts will exfoliate
your skin allowing the nourishing essential oils to be absorbed. Once complete,
turn on shower and rinse. Be careful not to slip as the oils can be slick. The result ~ soft and silky skin.

3. Crystal Potpourri: These scented salt crystals (see Pg 4, Rio Sea Salt Crystals)
are a great way to enjoy aromatherapy benefits. In addition, the heated crystals
cleanse the air. Breathing clear air will revitalize your spirit and help you to think more clearly.

Essential Oil Uses

Introducing essential oils into your lifestyle can be quite easy, fun, and therapeutically beneficial. Below are a few ways in which you can get started. These methods are intended as guidelines only, and you do need to pay special attention to all safety pre cautions applicable for each oil that you choose. It is also important to remember that essential oils are flammable.

Easy Inhalation - Place 3-4 drops of essential oil on a tissue. Place the tissue near your nose and inhale. When trying an oil for the first time, use only one drop to ensure that you do not have a sensitivity or reaction to the oil.

Steam Inhalation - Boil 2 cups of water. Pour the water into a bowl and add 3-7 drops of oil to the water. Use fewer drops if you are using an oil that may cause irritation to your mucous membranes (i.e. cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, pine, thyme, cajuput, etc.). Place your nose about 12" away from the bowl and inhale. Don't inhale the steam constantly and if you notice any irritation or discomfort, stop immediately. Steam inhalation can help with colds and influenza. Use of energizing or relaxing oils can also make this method useful any time of day or night.

Room Freshening - Use the steam inhalation method noted above but don't directly inhale into the bowl. Use up to 10 drops of oil. Use fewer drops if you are using an oil that may cause sensitization. Other methods including use of an aromatherapy diffuser or lamp scent ring available through many aromatherapy companies.

General Household Freshening - Add a few drops of oil to your trash can, laundry wash, drain, vacuum bag filter, or on a tissue for placement in your drawers.

Bug Repellent - Many essential oils including citronella, lavender, and peppermint act as a natural repellent against insects. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto tissues or cotton balls and place near your doorways and windows to help repel insects. Be sure to read all safety data on the oils you use as some oils may not be suitable for use around pets. Be careful not to apply the essential oil directly onto fragile surfaces.

Massage - Add up to 20 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil such as sweet almond oil and massage onto yourself or partner. Keep away from eyes and genital areas. Do not apply essential oils to the skin without first diluting them. Be sure to also read the safety data for the essential oils you choose to use.

Bath - Add 5-7 drops essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil. Add this blend to your running bath water and mix well before getting into the tub. Be sure to read the safety data for the essential oils you choose to use.


Other Uses

Essential oils can be used in making homemade lotions, facial toners, shampoos, perfumes, soaps, shower gels, and other natural products. Additionally, essential oils are often blended for their therapeutic synergistic abilities. The Recipes area includes many recipes and synergies.

Aromatherapy Tips for Beginners

Many of these suggestions are mentioned throughout AromaWeb, but they are also included below as a quick-reference:

-DON'T: Don't buy perfume oils thinking they are the same thing as essential oils. Perfume oils do not offer the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Even if you only intend on using aromatherapy in your lifestyle for the sheer enjoyment of the aroma, essential oils that are breathed in can offer therapeutic benefits. These benefits do not occur with the use of perfume oils.

-DON'T: Don't buy essential oils with rubber glass dropper tops. Essential oils are very concentrated and will turn the rubber to a gum thus ruining the oil.

-DO: Read as much as you can on Aromatherapy. It is very easy to get started with Aromatherapy, but there are safety issues that you need to be aware of. AromaWeb does offer safety tips and information to help you on your way, but you are wise to read even further on the important subject of essential oil safety. Visit the Book Shelf for book descriptions on over 12 popular aromatherapy books.

-DO: Be selective of where you purchase your essential oils. The quality of essential oils varies widely from company to company. Additionally, some companies may falsely claim that their oils are undiluted or pure when they aren't.

-DO: Learn to compare apples to apples when shopping for oils. Anise, Lavender, Bay, Cedarwood, and Eucalyptus are examples of the common names of plants used to create essential oils. There, however, are different varieties of each of these plants. To differential these varieties, the botanical name (also referred to as the Latin name) is used to tell them apart. For instance, two different oils are referred to as "Bay essential oil," yet they come from two different plants. The properties and aroma of each oil do differ as does the general cost between the two. It, therefore, is important to pay attention to the botanical name. In the case of Bay, the common botanical names for the two oils used in this example are Pimenta racemosa and Laurus nobilis.

-DO: It is also helpful to note the country of origin for the oil. Most good essential oil sellers will readily supply the botanical names and country of origin for the oils that they sell. When comparing one company's oils with another's, also pay attention to if either company's oils are organic, wild-crafted or ethically farmed.

-DON'T: It is wise not to purchase oils from vendors at street fairs, craft shows, or other limited-time events. Some vendors know beginners have no recourse against them later. This is not to say that there are not highly reputable sellers at such events, but this is a caution for beginners who are not able to reliably judge quality.

-DO: Purchasing oils from reputable mail-order companies may result in obtaining higher quality oils at less expense than purchasing oils from a generic local health food establishment. Again, there is a wide variance in the quality of oils from company to company and store to store. Although AromaWeb does not make an endorsement of any establishment, the Business Plaza's Vendor Pavilion lists a variety of companies that sell essential oils and aromatherapy products.

-DO: Store your oils in dark glass (amber or cobalt blue) and in a cool, dark place. I have two wooden hinged boxes that I store some of my oils in. Unfinished wooden boxes may be purchased at craft stores. These boxes allow me to move my oils from different areas of the house easily. Wooden floppy disk holders can also serve this purpose well.

-DO: Pay special attention to all safety information on all essential oils that you use. This is even more important if you have any medical condition or are pregnant.

-DO: Last but not least, do enjoy introducing aromatherapy into your lifestyle!