Dead Sea salt is known for its numerous therapeutic attributes. It contains more than one hundred and twenty different minerals, most of which are medically significant. It is a highly prized gemstone containing sodium, potassium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. In fact, it is one of the most expensive gemstones on the market today. There are no legal restrictions governing the sale or import of Dead Sea salts. Also, there are no laws that govern the way in which the minerals from the Dead Sea are marketed or sold.
Dead Sea salt contains many important minerals that are beneficial to the human body. These include sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, sulphur and manganese. Most of these elements are easily absorbable by the body and present no potential health hazards. However, the minerals present in the Dead Sea salt differ greatly from seawater-borne calcium. The typical Dead Sea mud contains calcium, potassium and manganese. The difference lies in the source of these minerals.
The typical Dead Sea salt contains approximately one hundred and twenty different minerals. Of these, seventy percent are sodium chloride. These salts are highly effective in improving the overall condition of the skin, hair and nails as well as in treating various ailments and disorders. As mentioned above, they are highly absorbable and this feature makes them an excellent component of a number of beauty products. However, there are certain instances when these products may contain minerals that are harmful for the skin.
The most common mineral contained in the Dead Sea salts is potassium chloride. It is commonly used in a number of skin care products, as it is a neutralizer and reduces facial swelling. However, one should be careful when using salt from the dead sea on the skin as it can cause dryness and irritation. When mixed with sulphur, the potassium chloride takes on the characteristic shade of sulphur. Sulfur based products are usually more expensive than those containing potassium chloride, but this latter mineral is highly beneficial in moisturizing the skin.
In addition to moisturizing the skin, many experts recommend the use of dead sea salts as they have been found to improve blood circulation and stimulate the production of natural hormones such as collagen and elastin. They also help in repairing damaged capillaries and reduce tension in the muscles. For psoriatic arthritis sufferers, however, these benefits may not suffice as they report little improvement.
Another mineral contained in Dead Sea salts is sulphur and while this mineral may help with water retention, it has been linked to bloating. It is also highly effective in eliminating toxins from the body, as it has a high concentration of iodine. Toxins are eliminated by a process known as excretion and this is assisted by sulphur.
As people grow older, blood circulation becomes weaker due to a reduction in natural elasticity. As a result, arteries become narrowed, which leads to heart attack and stroke. Scientists believe that psoriatic arthritis can be relieved by the introduction of Dead Sea minerals. One study reported that after four months of regular use, psoriatic arthritis patients showed a significant improvement. In fact, the improvement was such that researchers declared that psoriasis no longer had a curative potential.
Dead Sea salts can be used to fight cancer as well, as their minerals such as sulphur have been found to inhibit tumour growth. The powerful detoxifying effects of these minerals has even been observed in children suffering from cystic fibrosis. It is now understood that sulphur can destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. This makes sulphur an extremely powerful detoxifying agent.