Discover the healing power of the oceans
The natural ingredients harvested from beneath the waves - sea salts, algae and seaweed -are packed full of nourishing minerals.
Their healing qualities detoxify, feed the nervous system, relieve muscular tension, and have effective antiseptic and anti-flammatory properties.
Algae and the seaweed kelp can be taken orally as a food supplement working wonders on the brain, cleansing the blood and balancing out the hormone system.
So if you're wondering where Mother Nature hides her healing properties, look no further than the ocean. And here's how to find them, without taking a trip to the water's edge...
Dead sea salt flotation: Famous for its healing powers the Dead Sea, lying on the border between Israel and Jordan, has long attracted those seeking the benefits of bathing in its rich warm minerals. Apart from relaxation, dead sea salts are known to relieve the skin disease psoriasis, eczema and muscular tension.
How it works: If you can't make it to the Middle East, submerge yourself in a flotation pool. The high levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium, bromide, iodine, calcium and sulphate cause the upper layer of the skin to swell and absorb the valuable minerals.
Potassium, magnesium and bromide all play a role in feeding nerves and muscles, while helping to remove fluid from the cells.
Salt water bath: If the Dead Sea is out of reach, even a simple salt bath can heal and soothe the body. A strong salt solution not only has antiseptic properties, it is also an anti-inflammatory agent and helps stimulate the lymphatic drainage system.
How it works: Bathing in a warm salt solution encourages you to sweat by kick starting the body's diaphoretic - or perspiratory - system. This in turn helps flush out toxins from the body.
Run a deep warm bath. Pour about 1 kg (2lb) of Epsom salts into the water and stir well until it has all dissolved.
Run a deep warm bath. Pour about 1 kg (2lb) of Epsom salts into the water and stir well until it has all dissolved.
Massage yourself with slow gentle strokes before lying down and allowing the Epsom salts to strut their stuff.
Thalasso treatments: Favoured by the ancient Egyptian priests and Romans as a source of health and eternal youth, thalasso or seaweed treatment is a relaxing way to detox.
How it works: Rich in amino acids and minerals, seaweed nourishes skin tissue, encourages blood circulation and stimulates cell function.
With over 70 minerals and vitamins from the sea, fresh seaweed applied to the entire body deeply cleanses, exfoliates, nourishes and draws impurities from the skin.
There are many different kinds of treatments on offer. The most popular is the Thalasso wrap where you are pasted with a warm application of seaweed.
The heat, minerals and vitamins from the seaweed extracts any toxins from the body and helps refine the skin.
Algae wrap: Rich in minerals and vitamins, algae is a good detoxification treatment which stimulates the lymphatic drainage system.
How it works: You are covered from head to toe in warm algae. The skin absorbs the vitamins and minerals through the skin helping to draw impurities from the body.
An algae wrap is usually accompanied by a skin brush exfoliating the skin and getting rid of dead skin.
Sea mineral supplements: Trendy among alternative circles, seaweed kelp and algae like spirulina are becoming increasingly popular food supplements.
Kelp: High in iodine, kelp is used to treat thyroid problems by stimulating the secretions of hormones and balancing out the endocrine system. Also used to reduce cholesterol levels, because it binds large molecules together which can create digestive problems.
Spirulina: Boosts physical energy, cleanses the blood and helps with stress. High in B vitamins, the body recognises spirulina as a protein making it a building block for fuel. Good as a daily supplement for vegetarians.
Blue/green algae: Good brain food because it helps to improve mental clarity and focus. High in B vitamins it boosts cell growth needed to feed the central nervous system.
Contacts: The General Council and Registered Naturopaths, 01458 840072; Apotheke 20-20 (for dead sea treatments), 020-8 995 2293; The Health Supplements Information Service, 020-7370 2233, www.hsis.org and Natural Remedies, 020-7607 1936.
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