Certain routines have existed forever. You get up in the morning, and before your morning coffee, even before you brush your teeth – you wash your face. We all do it, every single day. We’ve been doing it forever it seems. But years before our generation walked this earth, the Greeks, the Romans, and perhaps even Cleopatra, used something entirely different for cleansing and beautifying purposes.

Were they Mad?

 The ancient men and women realized quick enough that The Dead See in general and its mud in particular, possess magical, beauty-enhancing qualities. And true enough, the dead sea mud is rich with minerals in general and sulfur in particular, known for its rejuvenating abilities.

How did Mud become so rich?

Well, it’s not just any mud. Dead sea mud was formed tens of thousands of years ago when tons of sediments mounted into the bottom of the dead sea. The amounts of mud were great and so heavy, they lifted the salt upwards. The salts had originating from floods to the dead sea as well as underwater reservoirs that still exist to this day. These salts, which prevent the sea from cultivating flora and fauna (therefore branding it the “dead” sea) is now embedded in its mud.
Think of how cereal changes its density, texture, and even flavor after spending a few minutes in the milk bowl. Give it a while, and it is no longer regular cereal, it has transformed. The mud has spent tens of thousands of years soaking in the salts of the dead sea, absorbing its minerals. It is no longer just mud, it has transformed.

What makes it so unique?

The minerals in the dead sea mud are blended so neatly into it, that the mud actually contains some minerals, that are small enough to penetrate your skin pores, nourishing your skin. The minerals in the mud help to improve blood circulation, promoting a natural, youthful glow.

According to legends, the first historical figure to acknowledge the healing powers of the Dead Sea was the Queen of Sheba. Eventually, Cleopatra came to learn of its alleged mystical efficacy and travelled there from Egypt in order to build the world’s first spa. It is also believed that, in the time of King David, the Dead Sea became an early natural spa due to its high contents of salt and other minerals as well as its low pollen content, factors that allured the King himself. According to historical sources, the Dead Sea also became a location for Herod the Great to build fortresses as well as a health resort for himself, which would be one of the world's first. According to anecdotal evidence, throughout the years there has been a common belief that bathing in the tranquil and restful backdrop of the Dead Sea accelerates the healing process faster than it would progress in a sterile hospital setting.

Historically, the Dead Sea was a contributor for the resinous bitumen or "asphalt" required in Egyptian mummification. Hence, the Egyptian word for "mummy" – mūmiyā – is the same as the Egyptian word for asphalt. In more recent times, the Dead Sea has come to be a supplier of potash required for fertilizers, and the salt and minerals found within have traditionally been used to manufacture cosmetics and herbal pouches, further establishing this body of water as a lasting beauty aid. At present, this region continues to be known as a "fountain of youth" for not only having water that is exceptionally saline and abounding with valuable organic matter but also for yielding a nourishing, mineral-rich, therapeutic mud with restorative and rejuvenating properties. This "Brine Mud" or "Silt" is better known as Dead Sea Mineral Mud.

Since ancient and medieval times, it was a common practice to apply earths, clays, peat, and muds to the body for their remedial properties, thus the term Mud Therapy was coined. The practice was further established by the “Clay Pastor” Emanuel Felke, a German therapist. Furthermore, Adolph Just, a German naturopath and proponent of returning to nature in order to cure diseases organically also underscored the advantages of Mud Therapy as an agent for enhancing overall well-being. For hundreds of years, Dead Sea Mud has been known to exhibit therapeutic benefits and general well-being. In 1959, treatments that used its benefits became popular applications, and from the 17^th to the 19^th centuries Mud Therapy was commonly practiced in Europe, where chronic illnesses were treated with mineral water and mudpacks of varying compositions and varying degrees of warmth. Despite multiple experiments to determine the ideal regularity, duration, and temperatures of mudpack application, the remedial processes of Mud Therapy remained unknown; it was simply understood that mud was effective in promoting faster healing.

Alongside its hydrating and beautifying properties, Dead Sea Mineral Mud maintains its reputation for having cleansing and purgative properties. These are known to relieve various symptoms of health issues ranging from skin ailments such as psoriasis to musculoskeletal ailments such as arthritis. This article highlights various benefits and safe uses for this classic, timeless cosmetic and health product.

A layer of Dead Sea Mineral Mud on the skin not only promotes softness but also prevents the body from losing moisture, and in turn increases internal moisture levels. This results in an upsurge of blood flow and energy for the skin. The duration of the mask’s application and the heat that it produces both have the added benefit of increasing and facilitating the skin’s absorption of nutrients. This leaves the skin with a rosy glow. The minerals have anti-oxidant behaviour that cleanses the body to reestablish its natural equilibrium. The anti-microbiocidal action of the salt and sulfide helps to prevent the harmful effects that pathogens have on skin, which contributes to the mud’s ability to reduce the onset and appearance of acne.

DEAD SEA MUD BENEFITS

The main chemical constituents of Dead Sea Mineral Mud are: Dead Sea Water, Organic Matter, and Minerals (expressed in Oxides: Silicon Dioxide, Calcium Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Oxide, Potassium Oxide, Iron (III) Oxide, Aluminum Oxide, Phosphorous Pentoxide, Titanium (IV) Oxide, Sulfur Trioxide, Manganese(II) Oxide, Zirconium Dioxide, Chromium(III) Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Nickel(II) Oxide, Copper Oxide, Indium (III) Oxide, Chloride, and Bromide).

Used cosmetically or topically in general, Dead Sea Mineral Mud is beneficial for dry, oily, and normal skin types. It removes dead cells from the skin's surface, purges the pores of impurities, and balances the skin's oil production and pH level. While it remains warm and moist, usually for approximately an hour, Dead Sea Mud produces internal heat and stimulates circulation, which reduces the appearance of cellulite. Additionally, it accelerates the skin's detoxification process on the surface and in the tissues by gently drawing out visible and invisible impurities such as air pollution, allergens, dust, and dirt. As the mud dries, it exhibits gentle pulling action that draws out excess oil, tightens, and exfoliates to remove dead skin, which reveals a healthier layer of skin.

With hydrating and firming properties, Dead Sea Mud soothes itchiness and inflammation as well as symptoms of skin ailments such as dryness, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Furthermore, it enhances skin elasticity, reduces the appearance of pores, and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Used in hair, Dead Sea Mineral Mud hydrates and nourishes the scalp and roots by boosting circulation. This reduces the chances of hair loss by strengthening and enhancing the health of hair follicles, which shrink and become narrower with age. Shrinkage prevents hair from receiving nourishment and oxygen, thereby negatively impacting the hair protein necessary for growth. This in turn leads to hair fall. Accordingly, Dead Sea Mud works to cleanse and moisturize the scalp to reduce or eliminate dryness and dandruff, thus preventing thinning, repairing damage, and leaving dull hair with increased luster. Dead Sea Mineral Mud is also reputed to effectively remove airborne environmental toxins that are absorbed by the hair.

Used medicinally, Dead Sea Mineral Mud works as a cleansing agent that provides soothing relief for skin afflicted with dryness, itchiness, redness, and cracking, especially when associated with dermatological ailments such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. While healthful essential minerals penetrate the skin, they promote the release of muscle aches caused by stress, relieve the body of congestion and toxins, boost circulation, soothe sores and breakouts, reduce inflammation and tenderness in sore joints, facilitate the regeneration of new skin, restore elasticity, and balance skin tone as well as pH levels. With its ability to relax the muscles and boost circulation to reduce inflammation, Dead Sea Mud is reputed to be advantageous for relieving the discomforts associated with osteoarthritis, sports injuries, recovery from orthopedic surgeries, bursitis, tendonitis, and fibromyalgia. Applied in physiotherapy, medical massages, or therapeutic wraps, Dead Sea Mineral Mud is known to ease muscle pain, tone the body, illuminate the skin, and strengthen skin’s elasticity.