Ever wondered what therapeutic effect the crystalline particles, commonly known as bath salts, will have on the human body? Experts are of the opinion that since ancient times, it has been proven that these salts in water have many benefits. Besides being ideal for improving the skin’s appearance and texture, they tend to diminish tension and promote overall well-being.
Bath salts can be specially tailored to suit any skin type with various plant extracts that further enhance their positive effects. They can be infused with various kinds of essential oils as per the need and requirements. Essential oils like tea tree and lavender are well known for their anti-bacterial properties and also heal fast any kind of wound or rashes in the body. Jasmine or rose essential oil blends in bath salts wonderfully to relax the mind and provide a good sleep. Citrus oils are best known as mood enhancer and helps stay energised throughout the day if used blended in bath salts for shower in the morning.
Says Seema Nanda, spa manager of Aqua Spa, The Park, New Delhi: “Bath salts are life’s little luxuries. They turn your bath from routine to relaxing. The nutrients and minerals in bath salts aid in the proper functioning of skin cells and metabolic processes. They often aid in treating common skin disorders such as eczema, dandruff, dermatitis, and psoriasis.”
HEALTH BENEFITS
Bath salt therapy has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Today, it is still a popular choice in spas and homes to soothe painful skin irritations, and sore muscles and joints. Bath salt therapy is easy to do and fairly inexpensive, especially if it is done at home.
Joints and muscles: Bath salts are effective in relieving problems associated with joints and muscles. Hence it is said that for athletes to bathe in these salts after a hard day of training helps a lot. They help in getting rid of other problems like sore muscles, joint pain, back aches, stiff shoulders and any other complaint related to physical exertion.
Stimulates circulation: Bath salts help stimulate circulation. People who suffer from poor circulation possibly as a result of diabetes, hypertension or heart disease may derive the greatest advantage.
Foot therapy: Common ailments like corns, calluses and bunions can be treated with periodic soaks in healing bath salts. The entire body can be immersed or just the feet. However, the experience is perhaps best enjoyed when covering the entire body. After a few minutes, more or less, pain in this area will subside and feet will feel renewed.
Exfoliation: Bath salts promote natural exfoliation of the skin and can be complemented with an effective scrub. As the skin absorbs the salts, it becomes softer and more open to complete exfoliation. The use of a loofah or other natural scrub can help gently remove the dead skin layers that may accumulate over time.
Soothing: The aroma of the bath salts creates a calming effect on the body and provides relaxation. Some of the bath salts also aid in opening the pores and thus purify and cleanse the skin. They help in getting rid of the dirt, sweat and even harmful toxins from your skin.
TYPES OF BATH SALTS
There are bath salts that can be used as luxurious bath salt on their own. Some others can be combined with other salts, herbs, scented oils and/or colours to make your own therapeutic blends. Some of the most common salts:
Dead Sea Salt: Procured from Dead Sea, this off-white, mineral-rich salt is used for a variety of spa therapies. Dead Sea salts are rich in calcium chloride, potassium, bromides and magnesium. The Dead Sea contains the highest amount of mineral content of any salt.
Himalayan Salt: This clean crystal salt ranges in colour from sheer pink to dark red. Among its many minerals are traces of iron.
Mediterranean Sea Salt: This is a low-moisture, highly mineralised pure white salt.
Organic Sea Salt: It comes from various locales and is usually light grey in colour. This salt is not processed, which helps it to retain its vital elements. As a result, its grade is usually coarse.
Bali Reef Salts: Salts from the Bali Sea are usually sheer grey and porous. The natural dual-drying process used to obtain these salts makes them a good base for absorbing scents and oils.
Pacific Sea Salt: Similar to the salts of the Mediterranean Sea, these are high-mineral, white salts that are also an economical choice.
Epsom Salt: Epsom salt is another economical choice. It is derived from salt-rich pools of water and is actually the distilled crystal form of the mineral magnesium sulphate.
Therapy Hotspots
Traditional sea salt body scrub
At Aura, The Park, New Delhi
Duration: 35 minutes
Price: Rs 2,000
Grapefruit bath salt foot scrub
At Heavenly Spa,
The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: Rs 1,500
Aroma floral bath with
bath salts
At Sawasdee Thai Spa,
Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: Rs 1,600
Ziva signature scrub
with aromatic salts
At Ziva Thai Spa, Jaipur
Duration: 50 minutes
Price: Rs 2,000
Luxury feet treatment
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: Rs 1,000
De-aging salt mousse
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: Rs 3,000
At Vyoma Spa (by
Pevonia Botanica),
Radisson Blu
Hotel, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi
Tuticorn sea salt scrub
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: Rs 1,500
Subah bath
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: Rs 950
At Aura Spa, The Park, Hyderabad
Quick Bath Salt Recipes By Shahnaz Husain
Bath Salt Almond Oil
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup bicarbonate of soda
One tablespoon almond oil
Mix with hot water and add to the tub of water for a soak.
Bath Salt Aloeswood Oil
1 cup powdered milk
3 tablespoon gram flour
3 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
5 drops of Aloeswood essential oil
Tie first three ingredients in a bundle and add to water. Add aloeswood oil directly to water.
Bath Salt Rose
1 1/2 cups Epsom salts
3/4 cup bicarbonate of soda
Dried rose petals
Oatmeal
Tie in a bundle and put in the tub of water. Or may be added directly.