by: Yoav Cohen

A study involving a European occupational therapist suffering from
psoriasis who had obtained compensation from her health insurance in
order to undergo therapy at the Dead Sea has lead to great interest
in health funds in Denmark, Germany and other European Countries.
This has resulted in their subsidizing treatment from the Dead Sea
for people suffering from both Psoriasis and other skin conditions.
If Health Insurance companies can be considering coverage of
treatment at the Dead Sea for relief and treatment of skin
disorders, then it seems reasonable to advocate usage of products
manufactured from the Mud and minerals of the Dead Sea.

Healthy skin

Assisting to replace or remove electrolytes enables the body to
maintain a good fluid balance thereby improving a feeling of
relaxation, health and well being. Below is a list of the
therapeutic physical and mental well being is dependent on the
correct sodium and potassium or fluid balance in the body. This is
regulated by the Adrenal gland, which in turn affect healthy
function of the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for controlling
28 chemicals in the body. An imbalance of these chemicals or
electrolytes can result in certain skin or other symptoms and over
an extended period of time results in various illnesses. benefits of
the Dead Sea products together with the conditions or symptoms they
alleviate.

The Dead Sea Salts differ from regular sea salt in 2 important ways.

1) They contain 10 times more minerals than sea salt.
2) The Dead

Sea salts absorb essential oils with ease, which enables them to be
released into the bath water as they dissolve.

This is beneficial for those wishing to benefit from the Dead Sea in
the privacy of their own home. Some of the minerals found in the
Dead Sea are listed below together with their functions or benefits
to health. This provides some insight as to why these minerals
assist in cleansing, de-toxing and restoring a healthy status quo of
the body, especially the skin and muscles.

Minerals and Chemicals found in the Dead Sea

Sulfur-is found in the amino acids cysteine, and methionine; as well
as in cells, hemoglobin (of the blood), collagen (of the muscles),
keratin (required for skin), insulin, heparin, biotin, co-enzyme A,
(required for healthy hair, skin, nails, among many other biological
structures). Sulfur is necessary for synthesizing collagen. It is
required for the adequate digestion and absorption of carbohydrates
and a number of vitamins e.g. thiamin, biotin and pantothenic acid;
It is also essential to enable cells to breathe Sulfur is necessary
for the secretion of bile from the liver and for converting toxins
into non-toxins.

Chlorine is necessary to maintain the correct balance of alkaline
and acid in the body, together with being vital for cell metabolism

Iodine is necessary for the production of the hormone thyroxin, and
is also vital for both energy and cell metabolism is necessary to
maintain the water balance in order for cell metabolism to take
place, assisting the cells to absorb nourishment and expel waste
products. An imbalance in potassium often leads to water retention.

Potassium also plays a vital role in regulating muscle contractions
and the nervous system.

Sodium like potassium plays s a vital role in assisting the cells to
absorb nourishment and expel waste.

Calcium is necessary in strengthening cell membranes and cleansing
the pores. In addition it is vital for production and maintenance of
healthy teeth and bones, together with regulating the heart muscles
and nerves.

Magnesium is necessary in assisting the body to utilize other
essential nutiens and in cell metabolism.

Bromine helps with the natural repair of the body together with cell
metabolism and can be sued as a natural antibiotic. Saunas often use
Dead Sea salts to evaporate the bromides thus creating and
environment similar to the Dead Sea. Having a hot bath with Dead Sea
salts and allowing the steam to collect in the bathroom will have a
similar effect. Other than the benefits listed below for bath salts,
steaming and using these salts in the bath can be beneficial for
respiratory conditions e.g. asthma.

PELOTHERAPY The main healing property of mud is humic acid, which
comes from concentration of organic matter. After the Ice Age the
earth experienced a compression of plant and animal life resulting
in transformation of various rocks and hence, muds. The parts of the
earth, which suffered the most erosion, have higher deposits of
humic acid. One of these areas is the Dead Sea, which has the
largest concentration of humic acid, chloride salts of magnesium,
sodium, potassium, calcium, bromine and various other minerals.
Since the Dead Sea Mud (also known as Pelloid) has a high
concentration of minerals together with an ability to hold heat, the
mud can be used for certain healing benefits. Smearing the Pelloid
onto the body in a process known as Pelotherapy provides cleansing
and detoxing of the skin which has proved beneficial for skin,
muscle pain and arthritic or rheumatic conditions.

BALNEOTHERAPY
Is an ancient healing form using water, usually with added salts,
thereby distinguishing it from hydrotherapy, to condition, relax and
revitalize the skin, body and muscles. Its benefits are seen in
improving circulation, strengthening the immune system, reducing
pain, stress and insomnia.