Fragrantly Beautiful

Mud Baths - A Truly Unique Experience

By Timothy Croy


The benefits of a mud bath have been realized for centuries, and date back to the days of Cleopatra, who used Dead Sea black mud. Today, mud bath therapy is a popular past-time used by day spas and even physical therapy clinics. There are also several locations for natural mud baths, which form from the combination of hot springs and volcanic ash. The Ischia Island in New Zealand and Calistoga, California are prefect examples of these natural phenomena.

Mud Bath Benefits

Many advocates of mud bath therapy will argue about the multitude of benefits, and back their claims with scientific evidence. However, the main reason mud baths have remained popular is because they are so darn relaxing. The warm feeling of being wrapped up in a cocoon of soft mud simply feels good, and can instantly make one forget about their daily stresses. The warm temperature aids in perspiration, which is said to cleanse the pores. The natural ingredients in a mud bath are also said to relieve muscle and joint pain, improve skin complexion, and even remove harmful toxins from the body.

How Does it Work?

Many day spas and physical therapy clinics attempt to replicate the natural mud bath phenomena; however nothing is as good as the real thing. For example, in Calistoga a member of the parks staff will help you in the deep warm pool of mud (usually around 100 degrees F), while you remain suspended there for ten to fifteen minutes. Once complete or satisfied, the attendant will help you out of the bath and wash you with cold water and washcloths.

The feeling of a mud bath is unlike any therapeutic experience on earth. The mixture of mud and natural ingredients allow you to float in the soft warm mud, as you float just below the surface. With virtually no pressure points on the body during the treatments, the feeling of weightlessness achieved by a mud bath is unmatched.

Some spas add to the experience by allowing one to take a nice mineral whirlpool bath, followed by a steam room treatment and then a soft blanket wrap to top off the day. The entire process can take up to 2 hours, depending if you opt for a massage afterwards. It's truly a one of a kind experience.

What's In a Mud Bath?

Before the commercialization of mud baths, native Indians used volcanic ash and warm spring water to wrap themselves in a kind of mud bath. Today, a few additions have been made to enhance the therapeutic experience. Peat moss is a popular ingredient that aids the body float in a mud bath, and adds to the smooth texture. Recently spas have added aromatherapy ingredients, such as lavender or eucalyptus. Most spas will mix these ingredients with boiling mineral water and nearby volcanic ash, which completes the mud bath recipe. Surprisingly mud baths remain sterile from client to client due to the boiling water.

http://whirlpool-baths.info is a website devoted to giving you the very best information regarding luxury and beauty baths. Whether making bath salts is your thing, or you want more information about mud baths, we've got you covered!

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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 6:49 AM