Sea bath salt: types, for weight loss. Benefits, indications and contraindications

It's no secret that sea water has a beneficial effect on the human body. Many scientists explain this by the fact that life on Earth originated in the world's oceans and therefore the salt composition of the blood is much like the composition of sea water. Even before the study of the chemical composition of water substantiated this theory, ancient scientists such as Herodotus and Hippocrates and others noted the useful properties of salt and sea water. Later, all the work on this topic formed the basis of such a section of alternative medicine as balneotherapy - the use of mineral waters for baths, inhalations, bowel lavage, as a drink and for the recovery of the body.

Certainly, rest on mineral waters or on the seashore affects positively on the body of even a healthy person. However, if you do not have the opportunity to go on vacation right now, you can arrange a short respite for the body without leaving home - just take a bath with sea salt.

Any type of salt basically consists of chloride compounds and sodium. The amount of minerals contained in the salt is much less, but exactly what minerals are contained in a certain type of salt affects its type and properties. Sea salt in this respect wins in other types of salts, since it contains the largest number of minerals.

Sea salt is manufactured by evaporating seawater and is usually hardly subjected to any additional treatment. In contrast to table salt, sea salt contains special additives that prevent the formation of lumps. Salt can be either coarse or fine grinding - this does not affect its properties in any way. Various colorants and flavors are also added to the bath salts.

Composition of sea salt:

• Macroelements. For balanced work of the body, maintaining immunity and normal growth and development, the human body needs to receive at least 100 mg of macronutrients per day. The main macronutrients that we get with sea salt are sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Sodium helps to balance the amount of fluid in the body. It is also necessary for correct muscle contraction. Potassium helps the work of the heart and is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Phosphorus and potassium play an important role in the development of healthy and strong bones and teeth.
• Microelements. You need the body in much smaller quantities than macronutrients. Depending on where the salt is produced, it can be rich in iron, iodine, manganese and zinc. Iron helps muscle and red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Iodine is an important component of the thyroid hormones and regulates the temperature of your body. Manganese promotes the proper development of bone tissue and accelerates the metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates. Zinc is involved in the formation of new cells and in the healing of wounds.

• Sea salt helps the body get rid of toxins and by-products of metabolism through the lymphatic system. This, in turn, reduces the amount of fluid accumulating in the area of ​​the ankles, hips and knees.
• Baths with sea salt are used as an additional treatment for some childhood diseases of , such as, for example, acute respiratory infections of the respiratory tract or enuresis( urinary incontinence).
• Being in warm salt water leads to relaxation of the whole body muscles .With the help of baths with sea salt, you can get rid of the pain caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, and also they help with diseases of the joints and spine.
• Sea salt has an antimicrobial effect on the skin. With the help of such baths, they struggle with various skin diseases, and also they are used to maintain elasticity and tightness of the skin.
• In addition, such baths have a positive effect on the nervous system.

As we mentioned above, the kind of sea salt is envy of what minerals and additives it contains. The following additives are suitable:

• iodide-bromine additives;
• sulphide additives;
• herbal extracts;
• selenium;
• bischofite.

Each kind of bath is recommended to people with certain diseases and problems, and to someone such baths are on the contrary contraindicated.

General contraindications for taking salt baths:

• The bathtub should not be taken in the first 1-1.5 hours after a meal;
• It is strictly forbidden to take a bath in a state of intoxication;
• With certain cardiac diseases, such as arrhythmia, severe heart failure;
• In the presence of cancer;
• During exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• You can not take a bath in the first few weeks after surgery;
• Salt baths are contraindicated for people with acute and chronic infectious diseases;
• It is also recommended to refrain from salt baths during menstruation.

In addition, the salt bath with iodide-containing additives should not be taken with:

• elevated thyroid hormone level,
• at any gestation period,
• for gout,
• for obesity.

Salt baths with sulphide additives are prohibited to people with:

• bronchial asthma,
• hyperthyroidism,
• affected kidney and liver,
• with epilepsy
• during peptic ulcer exacerbation.

Salt baths with herbal extracts of can not be taken in case of individual intolerance to this component.

Water procedures with selenium are prohibited for people who have any tumors.

Bischofite is harmful to those with an elevated level of iodine or bromine in the body, as well as any diseases that are in acute stages.

Diseases in which saline baths are indicated:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system and blood vessels;
• skin diseases;
• inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• in the presence of injuries to the central and peripheral nervous systems.

• Before you fill the bath, take a shower, because during and after taking saline baths, you can not use soap and other cleansers. Rinse with tap water from the tap after bath is also impossible - it is necessary that the salt cover stay on your skin for at least an hour.
• Fill the bath with hot water approximately 38-40 degrees.
• Pour the required amount of sea salt into the tub and wait for it to dissolve completely.
• The duration of reception of a salt bath is 15-20 minutes. Try to relax at this time.
• After the procedure, wipe the skin with a towel.
• The treatment course is usually 10-15 sessions with a break in a couple of days.

Some of the effects of conventional salt baths are not enough and they use baking soda as an additive. It is believed that a bath with baking soda better removes toxins from the body and is indicated after alcohol, food or drug poisoning. However, much more often soda in the salt bath is added by those who want to lose weight. But this procedure is best not to be done without consulting a doctor.

Some advise also to add to the bath essential oils that not only help to relax and create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom during the procedure, but also have anti-cellulite properties. The most popular among essential oils for fighting cellulite is essential oil of orange. However, essential oils should also be used with caution, since they are all highly allergenic.

Many advise to combine the adoption of salt baths with hydromassage. It is believed that in this case it is possible to achieve a more pronounced anti-cellulite effect. However, we warn you: sea salt in any case can not be used with the hydromassage included! Salt water can damage the motor of the device. If you want to use the hydromassage, then you first need to take a bath with hydromassage, then turn it off and only then fill the bath with sea salt. So you do not damage the mechanism and get a double benefit from the procedure.

Also very popular are local salt foot baths. They help to remove puffiness, get rid of fatigue, normalize blood vessels, cleanse the feet of dirt and microbes, and also get rid of the unpleasant odor.

The procedure is simple: you must first wash your feet, fill in the necessary amount of sea salt in a basin with warm water, immerse the legs there and take them out after 15 minutes. To wash off salt it is not necessary.

To children salt baths are useful not less than the adult. With the help of baths with sea salt, the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular and endocrine system, as well as various skin diseases and rashes is carried out. Such baths strengthen immunity, and also help to calm the nervous system, so they are recommended to be done just before bedtime.

Before use, read the instructions on the packaging carefully. In most cases, manufacturers recommend making salt baths for children over three years old. Prefer marine salt of fine grind, without dyes and flavors - the skin of young children is very allergenic and sensitive. Before bathing the child should be rinsed with running water or washed with soap. Unlike adults, with children's skin, salt should be washed off immediately after taking a bath.