Salt baths: benefits and harms, how to do

The benefits and harms of sea salt for baths is an interesting topic for fans of home cosmetic and medical procedures. As part of medicinal baths, the properties of the additive can have a positive and negative effect. You need to figure out how and under what conditions it is worth adding salt to the water.

The chemical composition of sea salt

The main chemical element present in any salt is sodium chloride. However, sea salt differs markedly from food salt. If additional elements are added artificially to ordinary edible salt to increase the benefits of the product, then in the case of sea salt, this is not necessary. It naturally contains a wide range of useful substances, namely:

• iodine;
• selenium;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• magnesium;
• calcium.

The properties and benefits of sea salt for the body are also determined by the specific place in which the substance was collected. Certain types of salt contain impurities of volcanic ash and algae, clay and other useful components.

Why are sea salt baths useful?

Sea salt is even used in cooking, but more often its beneficial properties are used in cosmetology for healing and strengthening baths. Water treatments have health benefits because salt:

• exfoliates, tightens and rejuvenates the skin of the whole body;
• helps to restore the correct water-salt balance;
• improves blood circulation and strengthens blood vessels;
• expands the pores of the skin and helps to remove toxins and toxins from the tissues;
• soothes pain and relieves inflammation in joints and muscles;
• effectively copes with fungi and microbes, helps with skin and gynecological ailments;
• relaxes and tones the nervous system.

Among the beneficial properties of sea salt, one can also note antiallergic and immunomodulatory effect; taking baths with salt is useful for preventing colds. Bath properties are rarely harmful to health if used carefully.

How to make a salt bath

A bath with sea salt will bring benefits for the body if it is prepared correctly. So that there is no harm from the properties of the procedure, you need to follow several important recommendations.

1. On average, the water temperature for a useful bath should be in the range from 36 to 38 ° C, occasionally higher values ​​are allowed. For the procedures, it is advisable to purchase a special thermometer - it is important to ensure that the temperature of the liquid is exactly what is required by the prescription.
2. First, hot water is poured into the bath for about 2/3 of the total volume and sea salt is poured into it to dissolve, and only then the liquid is diluted with cold water to the desired level.
3. The treatment itself lasts no more than 20 minutes.If you sit in the bath for too long, its properties will begin to be harmful to health, and too short a procedure simply will not be of any benefit.
4. Soap, foam and shower gels must not be used while taking salt baths. Chemical aromatized additives will significantly reduce the benefits of salt baths, and completely cancel the valuable effect on the skin.
5. After completing the procedure, you do not need to rinse in the shower - the saline solution should remain on the body. It is only allowed to gently dry the skin with a soft towel.
6. The benefits and harms of a salt bath depend on the frequency of the procedures. It is recommended to take such baths every other day, and in total, the health course should include no more than 15 procedures.

At the same time, it is strictly forbidden to carry out a useful procedure after drinking alcohol - in such a situation, the properties of the bath will only harm.

Salt baths for the body

The benefits of salt baths for the body are not only in the fact that the procedure effectively relaxes and improves mood. The properties of sea salt help fight the symptoms of many ailments and provide serious help in their cure.

For joint pain and treatment of osteochondrosis

For arthritis, rheumatism and osteochondrosis, the properties of a sea salt bath, with or without additional ingredients, are beneficial. The basic recipe looks like this:

• the bath is filled with hot water - the temperature can be 40-42 ° С;
• add 2 kg of sea salt to the water;
• the body is immersed in hot liquid for 20 minutes.

For psoriasis, wounds and eczema

The beneficial properties of sea salt effectively fight irritation, eliminate infections and promote skin regeneration. Therefore, salt baths will not harm the damage and inflammatory diseases of the epidermis.

For wounds, eczema and psoriasis, you can do the following bath:

• prepare the infusion of the sequence in advance, pouring 1 large spoonful of herbs with boiling water and leaving to infuse;
• after half an hour, fill the bath with hot water with a temperature of up to 38 ° C;
• add 500 ml of the string infusion and a glass of sea salt to the bath.

A useful procedure is carried out for the standard 20 minutes, and you need to repeat it three times a week. The whole therapy takes a month.

With sciatica

The properties of the salt bath will help relieve pain in case of sciatic nerve inflammation. To carry out a useful procedure, you will need:

• fill the bath with water with a temperature of 36 to 38 ° C;
• pour 1.5 kg of sea salt and 1.5 kg of table salt into the liquid;
• stir the crystals thoroughly until they are completely dissolved in water;
• immerse yourself in hot water for a quarter of an hour and try to relax.

All baths must be taken for a month every other day. At the same time, in the intervals between useful baths, you can arrange water procedures using herbal decoctions - thyme, calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort and others.

With thrush

Water with sea salt will benefit from a fungal disease - thrush. For medicinal purposes, it is allowed to take ordinary baths, but more often women are limited to sitz baths and dissolve salt in a large basin.

1. The water temperature for a sitz bath with thrush should be about 36 ° C, too hot liquid can turn into harm.
2. In 15 liters of water, it is necessary to dilute about 200 g of sea salt and add 10 drops of tea tree oil.
3. Take a bath for 20 minutes, and immediately after the procedure, it is advisable to go to bed.

You need to carry out medical procedures daily, but the course of treatment is only a week.

Baths for hands and nails

Benefits sea salt for the skin of the hands and for the nail plates.Usually, only 1-2 liters of hot water no more than 40 ° C is collected in a small container, 100 g of sea salt is dissolved in it and immersed in the liquid of the hands for 20 minutes.

Baths not only improve the condition of the skin, but also heal the cuticles, and also strengthen the nails and return them shine and smoothness. The properties of sea salt will greatly benefit from fungal nail infections.

Foot baths with sea salt

The benefits of saline foot baths are undeniable. The ingredients in the salt and the properties of the additional ingredients help to improve the condition in case of ailments associated with the lower extremities.

To relieve fatigue

There will be benefits from salt baths for the feet with severe fatigue, heaviness and pain. It is necessary:

• pour several liters of hot water into a high basin - about 40-42 ° C;
• add a glass of nettle infusion to the mini-bath - for its preparation, 3 large tablespoons of dried nettle are poured with boiling water and kept for half an hour;
• pour a glass of sea salt into water with nettle broth and stir well.

The procedure takes 10 minutes, during which time the body will not be harmed by hot water. It is recommended to go to bed immediately after taking a bath. There is no need to rinse your feet after a salt bath.

From sweating

The benefits of sea salt for feet are that it helps regulate perspiration, especially when combined with the properties of oak bark.

1. Pour half a glass of sea salt and a large spoonful of chopped oak bark into a high basin.
2. The ingredients are poured over 6 liters of boiling water.
3. Salt and bark are stirred in water and left to infuse for about half an hour.

When the water cools down to a temperature of 42 ° C, you will need to immerse your feet in it for 10 minutes. The procedure is repeated every other day, and the total treatment should take about 3 weeks.

With varicose veins

The sea salt foot bath is beneficial for varicose veins.

• For the procedure, they take a high basin or a bucket - it is necessary that the water rises at least to the middle of the legs.
• At the bottom of the container, put 2 large tablespoons of dried linden flowers and pour half a glass of sea salt.
• The mixture is poured with boiling water and left for half an hour so that the salt dissolves and the linden is infused.
• When the water has cooled a little, add 5 drops of rosemary essential oil to it.

They keep their feet in warm water for 20 minutes, and the procedure must be repeated every 3 days so as not to cause unnecessary damage to the vessels. The entire course of therapy should take no more than 2 months.

Slimming Sea Salt Bath Recipes

Since sea salt promotes the removal of toxins from tissues, accelerates blood circulation and tightens the skin, its beneficial properties are often used for cosmetic purposes to improve body shape during weight loss. Several recipes are highly respected by women.

With soda

The benefits of salt and regular baking soda will help tighten your skin and increase its elasticity. It is necessary to dissolve 500 g of sea salt and a little less baking soda in a recruited bath - only 300 g. You need to lie in such a bath no longer than 10 minutes.

With grapefruit juice

The properties of grapefruit juice in combination with sea salt will have a tonic effect on the skin and subcutaneous tissues, improve lymph flow and make the epidermis more elastic. In a warm bath, dissolve 600 g of salt crystals, squeeze 3 juicy ripe grapefruits into it and add 6 drops of grapefruit essential oil.

The crusts left over from the fruit can also be thrown into the water. They take a bath for only 20 minutes, it is recommended to repeat the sessions every 3 days. In total, in order to avoid harm within the course, you need to limit yourself to 15 procedures.

With iodine

Salt baths with the addition of iodine will greatly benefit the figure. In a full bath, it is necessary to dilute about 1/4 of a bottle of iodine and add sea salt in a volume of 700 g. The temperature of such a bath should not exceed 36 ° C. You should lie in useful water for a quarter of an hour.

Since iodine in excess can be very harmful to health, you need to take such baths no longer than a month and at intervals of 3 days.

What else can you add to your salt bath

In addition to the main medical and cosmetic recipes for salt baths, there are many more variations that bring the same benefits to both beauty and health. Herbs, juices, oils, and even food can be used as additives.

Chamomile and green tea

Baths with green tea and chamomile are of great health benefits. First of all, they have a beneficial effect on the skin and help to reduce cellulite. In addition, the properties of such baths have a calming effect on the nervous system, reduce stress and increase immune resistance.

To prepare a healthy bath you need:

• prepare strong green tea in advance - insist 2 large spoons of tea leaves in 500 ml of hot water;
• prepare chamomile broth - boil 3 large spoons of dried flowers in 500 ml of water for a few minutes;
• take a full bath and dissolve 2 glasses of sea salt in it;
• pour green tea and chamomile broth into the liquid.

You can take such baths every day for a quarter of an hour, preferably in the evening. However, it must be remembered that an excess of salt is harmful to the body even when applied externally. Therefore, the total time of the course of procedures should not exceed a week.

Sea buckthorn oil

The beneficial properties of sea buckthorn oil have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, on the nervous and respiratory systems. Prepare the bath as follows:

• collect a full container of hot water;
• pour 500 g of sea salt into a liquid and stir until it is completely dissolved;
• add 2 large spoons of sea buckthorn oil and 10 drops of any essential oil.

When the water cools down to 37 ° C, you can lie in it for a quarter of an hour. To prevent harm to the body, it is necessary to take breaks of at least 3 days between procedures.

Needles

The properties of pine baths with salt are very beneficial for respiratory ailments and anxiety. For preparation, it is necessary to dissolve 1 kg of sea salt in hot water, and then add pine coniferous infusion in a volume of 2 liters.

The infusion is also very simple to prepare - fresh needles or green cones in the amount of 300 g are boiled for half an hour.

It takes only 10 minutes to take a healthy bath so as not to get harm. But even during this time, the mood will improve significantly, and breathing will become easier.

Milk

Powdered milk can be used to soften the skin of the body and light whitening. In the recruited bathroom, add it in the amount of half a glass, then pour half a glass of soda and a glass of salt into the water.

You can take milk-salt baths for a month without any harm to the body, but not every day, but every other day. It is recommended to lie in hot water no more than a quarter of an hour.

Baths with sea salt for children

Sea salt and other additives have a beneficial effect on the child's body. But the procedure can be carried out only after the child is 6 months old, and the rules for preparing the bath will be slightly different.

So, for 10 liters of warm water for a child, it is allowed to add no more than 100 g of salt - the solution should be weakly concentrated. In addition, too hot water can harm a sensitive child's body, its temperature should not exceed 37 ° C.

Children's salt baths are carried out only under the vigilant supervision of parents. The child should be in the water no more than 10 minutes, and it is better to limit the first few procedures to 2-3 minutes.

Is it possible to take baths with sea salt for pregnant and lactating

During the period of bearing a child, it is better to refuse baths with added salt - hot water and a salt additive can harm not only the expectant mother, but also the fetus. Baths can provoke heart rhythm disturbances, bleeding, excessive uterine contractions.

But at the same time, useful salt baths for the hands and feet are allowed for pregnant women, only their temperature should be slightly warm. For example, a cool foot bath with added salt will help relieve puffiness and varicose veins on the legs.

During lactation, it is better to refuse salt baths. Excess salt that gets into the mother's body through the skin can harm the baby. The advisability of using a hand or foot bath should be individually consulted with a doctor.

The harm of salt baths and contraindications for use

No matter how useful salt baths are, for some ailments they are completely contraindicated. You cannot add sea salt to the bath:

• with heart failure and arrhythmias;
• with acute infectious diseases;
• with exacerbations of gastric and intestinal diseases - gastritis, colitis, pancreatitis;
• with hypertension and thyroid ailments;
• with gout;
• with oncology and after operations.

It is also strictly forbidden to use hot salt baths after taking alcohol, even in a minimal amount. The bath must be abandoned at elevated temperatures - the procedure will only harm.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of sea salt for baths largely depend on the state of health. If there is no risk that the salt water will provoke a deterioration in well-being, the procedure will be of great benefit and will help to qualitatively relax.