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Dead Sea Salt As An Alternative Medicine

by Dr. Reeja Tharu on Jul 12 2012 12:56 PM
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The Dead Sea salts are well-known for their therapeutic benefits due to the high content of important minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, iodine, bromide, sulphur and potassium. Interestingly, these minerals are similar to the ones found inside our skin cells.

For these reasons the dead sea salts have been sought after by dermatologists and beauty experts, who employ them in their beauty treatments and products.

Now it appears that sea salts may be used differently. Rebecca Hensberry, a patient, who had been experiencing sinusitis – related problems and head ache for over six months, was being treated with antibiotics. Having failed to find relief despite being treated with them, she approached Dr. Robert Graham of Lenox Hill hospital in the city of New York and requested him for an alternative treatment.

Graham decided to flush out the sinuses with Dead Sea salt to control the mucus production and inflammation. The solutions prepared from Dead Sea salts are natural, non-addictive, and have no harmful side effects.

“Most people use hypertonic saline, which is basically just table salt that they put in warm water, and they bathe their sinuses,” Dr. Graham said. “This study looked at the concentration of the Dead Sea salt as a substitute and it showed that it was better in terms of quality of life and symptoms. ”Oftentimes these simple, non-invasive, natural ways of dealing with things can actually be a first line agent,” he added.

After undergoing the Dead Sea salt treatment, Hensberry said that she felt better. “I could tell that it was working, and within about a week, I was cured. I’m feeling great,” she said.

Dead sea is famous for its therapeutic effects and is a reputed tourist destination. What makes it unique is that its waters contain 29% salt in comparison to other oceans

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where the salt content is 4%. This increases the density of the dead sea and allows anyone to float on it with ease. The mineral content of the dead sea is very high in comparison to other oceans, while the percentage of sodium chloride is far below that of others.

Dead sea salts have been sought after right from the times of ancient Egyptians. Even today these salts are used as scrubs, and find a place in the various beauty treatments carried out in spas. The therapeutic value of the dead sea salts has also been put to good use in treating skin ailments, such as acne and psoriasis.

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Source-Medindia


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