Dead Sea salt refers to salt and other mineral deposits extracted or taken from the Dead Sea. The composition of this material differs significantly from oceanic salt.
History
Dead Sea salt was used by the peoples of Ancient Egypt and it has been utilized in various unguents, skin creams, and soaps since then.
Mineral composition
The Dead Sea's mineral composition varies with season, rainfall, depth of deposit, and ambient temperature. Most oceanic salt is approximately 85% sodium chloride (the same salt as table salt) while Dead Sea salt is only 30.5% of this, with the remainder composed of other dried minerals and salts. Major ion concentrations in the water of the Dead Sea have given the following results (which do not necessarily reflect those of Dead Sea salt):
The major minerals present in Dead Sea mudâ€" the result of runoff streams flowing into the Dead Sea and bringing large deposits during the Holocene eraâ€" have been shown to be the following:
- Expressed in equivalent oxides, as appropriate; for example the neutral sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) would be analyzed as basic sodium oxide (Na2O) and acidic sulfur trioxide (SO3), neither which occur in free form in this mud.
Therapeutic benefits
Dead Sea salts have been claimed to treat the following conditions:
Rheumatologic Conditions â€" in balneotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. The minerals are absorbed while soaking, stimulating blood circulation.
Common skin ailments â€" for treating skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis which may be relieved by regularly soaking the affected area in water with added Dead Sea salt. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends Dead Sea and Dead Sea salts as effective treatments for psoriasis. High concentration of magnesium in Dead Sea salt may be helpful in improving skin hydration and reducing inflammation, although Epsom salt is a much-less-expensive salt that also contains high amounts of magnesium and therefore may be equally as useful for this purpose.
Allergies â€" The high concentration of bromide and magnesium in the Dead Sea salt may help relieve allergic reactions of the skin by reducing inflammation.
Skin ageing â€" Dead Sea salt may reduce the depth of skin wrinkling.
See also
- Tourism in Jordan
- Tourism in Israel
- Medical tourism in Israel
References
