Want to learn about the health benefits of salt baths, what does a salt bath do, and how to take a salt bath? Continue reading.
Salt baths are a traditional remedy in folk medicine, still applied successfully in modern clinics in Austria or Germany. This practice is believed to have various potential benefits, namely muscle relaxation, stress reduction, improved sleep, detoxification, and even skincare benefits. Before we get to the health benefits of salt baths, here is the proper way to take a salt bath and what salt to choose for a salt bath.
In This Article You Will Find:
How to Take a Salt Bath
To prepare a salt bath, add 2 kilograms (70 oz) of natural course salt to your bathtub filled with warm water (approximately 150 liters / 40 gallons). For easier dissolving, mix the salt with water before pouring it into your bathwater. Bathe for 20-30 minutes once every 3-4 days. It’s important to maintain the water temperature consistently above 37°C/98°F for maximum therapeutic benefits.
Tip! Salt baths, typically taken once every 3-4 days, have the most potent effects around the full moon (preferably 2-3 days before the full moon), which is otherwise recommended as the ideal time to start taking salt baths.
What Salt to Use for Salt Bath?
For salt baths use only natural coarse salt in the form of large crystals, such as coarse mine salt (or Himalayan salt) and sea salt (for instance, Celtic salt). This type of salt contains more than 80 minerals in addition to sodium chloride and possesses numerous therapeutic properties. Avoid table salt or refined salt, as they contain added chemicals such as anti-caking agents (sodium ferrocyanide), and synthetic iodine additives.
What Does a Salt Baths Do? 7 Health Benefits of Salt Baths
1. Muscle Pain
When added to the warm bath water, salt helps to deflame and heal muscle tissue. Fill your tub halfway with hot water at 38-400°C/100-1040°F. Add 300-400 g of natural sea salt or rock salt, and mix it in the warm water, to speed up the dissolution. Bathe for 15-20 minutes, ideally in the evening. Rinse your body with plain water. For best results, sit in a warm and cozy place for at least one hour after getting out of the bath and bathe in salt water 2-3 a week. This is one of the main health benefits of salt baths.
2. Rheumatic Pain
Salt baths strengthen the bones, skin, and connective tissues and help reduce pain, including rheumatic pain. To see any results prepare the salt bath the same way as described above and bathe twice a week. Indeed, this is one of the most important health benefits of salt baths.
3. Cystitis & UTIs
Take full baths or sitz baths (local baths) with slightly saltier water. The ratio is 5 tablespoons of salt per liter (4 cups) of water. The bath water must be as hot as possible, but bearable (over 38°C/100°F). Bathe every evening, until the symptoms have improved. Immediately after the bath, wipe well, put on a pair of cozy pajamas, and relax in a warm place (avoid exposure to cold or drafts).
4. Adnexitis and Kidney Blockages
Prepare a sitz bath with salt water, as follows: fill your basin with warm water and add salt (6 tablespoons per liter of water). To boost the benefits, you can replace part of the water with a hot and concentrated horsetail or yarrow infusion. Sit in the water, so that the water covers your lower back (kidney area). For best results, the sitz are 15-20 minutes long and should be done at least 3 times a week. Immediately after the sitz bath, wipe and get cozy in bed.
5. Infectious Dermatoses
Take partial baths, soaking only the affected areas (hands/feet) for 15 minutes, in warm salt water, prepared by adding 7 tablespoons of salt per liter of water. After bathing, do not wipe the skin dry, but dab it a little and allow it to dry naturally. This type of salt bath is excellent in treating bacterial and mycotic infections caused by parasitic fungi. This is one of the less-known health benefits of salt baths.
6. Genital Infections Adjuvant
Follow the same preparation process for cystitis. Additionally, add a little iodine tincture to the salty bath water for enhanced effects. It is an effective adjuvant treatment for certain genital infections. This is perhaps the least known health benefits of salt baths.
7. Cold and Flu
Soak your feet and ankles in hot water with a lot of salt (10-12 tablespoons of salt per liter). Immerse your legs so that the soles of your feet and ankles are under the water. After 10-15 minutes, wipe your feet, put on a pair of warm socks, and tuck in bed so you begin sweating.
Read Also: 9 Amazing Health Benefits of Going to The Seaside
Salt Baths Safety and Precautions
Salt baths are not recommended for individuals suffering from cardiovascular conditions. Ideally, when taking a hot salt bath is best to not be alone at home. In some individuals, salt baths may cause skin irritation. Note that salt baths can help alleviate the abovementioned symptoms, but it is not a miraculous cure. Alongside a proper diet, fresh air, water, and moving the body, health will come back to its rightful place, which is inside of you.
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