Salt Can Help Fight Skin Infections and Dryness

Some 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates used salt liberally to heal a number of conditions and diseases – milk and salt water were combined as an early morning drink to heal diseases of the spleen, steam from salt water was inhaled to cure respiratory ailments, a mixture of salt and honey was applied topically to clean ulcers, and salt water was used externally to treat skin diseases. Although we don't hear much about spleen disease these days, and modern medicine has many treatments for respiratory ailments, skin infections are still very common, and you may want to consider adding salt to your skin care routine.

What does salt do for your skin? In addition to its antibacterial and antifungal properties that fight infection very effectively, it exfoliates, stimulates circulation, hydrates the skin, increases moisture retention, helps regenerate skin cells, detoxifies the skin, and helps to alleviate even the most severe dry skin conditions.

How do you use it? You can bathe or shower in it, soak your feet or hands in it, or use it in masques and cleansers. Salt baths have been used for thousands of years, and even today people travel to health spas that offer bathing in natural springs high in salt and other minerals. In addition to treating your skin, salt baths have the added benefit of reducing inflammation of the muscles and joints, relaxing the muscles, and relieving pain and soreness.
Natural salts such as Himalayan crystal salt are the best types to use as they contain many beneficial minerals lacking in regular table salt. Himalayan crystal salt, for example, contains 84 of the 92 required minerals, and in similar ratios to those found in a healthy body. Bleached and cleansed table salt has been reduced to only two – sodium and chloride. The extra minerals not only nourish the skin, their absorption through the skin is beneficial to the entire body.

In cases of serious skin infection or disease, you should consult a dermatologist. Find one who is in favor of natural remedies rather than chemicals, but if you do have dry skin or simply want to beautify and nourish it, try natural salts.

---

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for Gloves In A Bottle, Inc. For more information, visit www.glovesinabottle.com.