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The Healing Properties of the Dead Sea

The Healing Properties of the Dead Sea

Facts about the Dead Sea

Located between the borders of Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea has characteristics that make it unique in the world. The Dead Sea is rather a lake because it receives water from the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, but it does not flow to any other place and has as its only way out, the process of evaporation, which produces a high concentration of minerals and trace elements.  The concentration of minerals in the Dead Sea is about 27% whereas the concentration of salts in regular sea water is only abut 3%.  In regular sea water the major component is sodium chloride (salt) whereas in the Dead Sea there is a smaller percentage of sodium chloride, the balance being made up of  a higher percentage of other important minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and bromides.  The therapeutic effects of the Dead Sea may just be due, to a large extent, to the high concentration of these other minerals in its waters.

The waters of the Dead Sea have been recognized from ancient times for their healing and cosmetic properties. It is said that the Jewish Roman historian, Flavius wrote 2000 years ago "The Dead Sea cannot be praised too highly…. Travelers takes as much of this salt as they are able to, home with them, because it heals the human body and is therefore used in many medicines". The Dead Sea has not changed  since biblical times (it hasn't been polluted like other seas) and remains a trove of health and well-being.

Today, the Dead Sea is considered a place of rehabilitation par excellence, endowed with a natural beauty, whose therapeutic waters are sought by people from all over the world. Every year, tens of thousands of people visit the Dead Sea to relieve their aches and pains and take advantage of its rejuvenating properties.

Therapeutic benefits

There have been various clinical research studies that have proven the therapeutic effects of the Dead Sea minerals.  

In 1982 Dr. I. Machtey from Hasharon Hospital in Israel studied the effect of Dead Sea minerals on rheumatic patients that were suffering from osteoarthritis or tendinitis. 103 patients participated in his study and most were treated for two weeks with daily baths of Dead Sea minerals.  The exact details of the study are beyond the scope of this article but over 80% of all the patients reported having less pain; 70% said their mobility improved, and about 60% were able to decrease their use of analgesics.

Another study was performed in Germany by Dr. P. Engel (Dr. P. Engel (Sanatorium Clinic of the City of Mayenbad, Bad Waldsee, FRG). “On the therapy of Rheumatic Illness with Medical Bathing Salts from the Dead Sea”, Acta Medica Empirica, 31, 374 (April 1982)). 

The study was performed with 60 patients. Each patient was treated for a duration of 4 weeks, with three baths per week. A summary of the results shows that in 76.2% of the cases, very good therapeutic results were obtained, 10.2% responded moderately well and only 13.6%  reported no success.

Another study was performed by Dr. J. Arndt from Germany, who studied the effect of Dead Sea minerals on psoriasis patients.   (Dr. J. Arndt, “Salt from the Promised Land Helps Psoriasis Patients”. Arztliche Praxis, vol. 34, No. 48, 1920 (15.6.1982))Dr. Arndt  studied fifty patients of all ages who were treated with Dead Sea minerals in a controlled manner. Patients were treated with 3-4 Dead Sea Salt baths per week, for 3 weeks. Results showed that the majority of patients' symptoms were significantly diminished within the first week of treatment, with steady improvements observed in the following weeks. The most important noted relief was from the itching associated with psoriasis. 54% of the patients were totally healed, while 22 cases showed marked improvements. Dr. Arndt pointed out that of particular importance from the patient's point of view is the rapid relief from such irritating a symptom as itching.

 How can it help you?

So, what conditions can be helped by Dead Sea minerals? Back pain, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and osteoarthritis benefit from Dead Sea minerals being absorbed via the skin. The minerals provide effective relief in various ways. Minerals like magnesium increase blood circulation, thereby reducing inflammation. Magnesium, Potassium Calcium and Bromides help relax muscles and eliminate toxins trapped in the muscles. A lack in these minerals may cause weakness, muscle spasms and cramps, tremors etc.  

All skin issues can benefit from Dead Sea Salt baths or application of creams containing Dead Sea minerals. This includes eczema, acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, seborrhea, dandruff and all forms of itching. No need for steroids and their harmful side effects. Regular tap water dries out skin, whereas Dead Sea water nourishes and replenishes moisture.

Don't think twice. Always think "Dead Sea" when dealing with skin issues and back or joint pain!

 


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