The Dead Sea is not really a sea – it is actually a lake.  On the flipside, it is quite dead, in the sense that there are no animals living in the water.  This is because of its high salinity or salt content.  At 8.6 times the salinity of sea water, it is more or less 31.5 saline, meaning that in every cup of Dead Sea water, there is about 1/3 cup of dissolved salts. 

“Salt” here does not just refer to sodium chloride or table salt, but it does make up a large proportion of the solutes.  You can easily float on the surface of the Dead Sea, but you can forget about drinking it.

An unusual phenomenon observed there is the discharge of asphalt.  Yes, it is the same substance that we use to top our roads.  From deep within the depths of the Dead Sea, pebbles and blocks of asphalt are regularly discharged.  The ancient Egyptians actually imported asphalt from this area for use in their famous mummification processes.

This lake is also lower than sea level, which increases air pressure in the area.  The increased air pressure and very low airborne allergen concentrations make it a great place for those suffering from respiratory problems.  Even the sunlight is different here, with the ultraviolet component being reduced, which makes it a good place for heliotherapy or physical treatment using the Sun’s light.

Helping to spread the use of this ages-old wonder of medicine and health is a modern wonder, the Internet.  You can find products made with Dead Sea salt and many more on the Internet via websites like Amazon and eBay.  These sites can give you access to products which you might never even see on local store shelves.  A lot of times, you can get free shipping, which is always advantageous since shipping can actually cost a lot.  Using PayPal on these sites only improves the experience by providing you with a secure and managed method of payment.

For the longest time, the Dead Sea has been valued as a place of healing.  Its mud is said to have special healing properties, as well as having the power to enhance one’s physical appearance.  There is even a specific term referring to the practice of bathing in the Dead Sea for beneficial effects: Thalassotherapy.  The salt from the Dead Sea is used to make Dead Sea salt shower scrubs, bubble baths, and beauty spa lotions.  Some brands that have done this are Shiseido, Deep Sea Cosmetics, Bliss, Alba, Anthony Logistics, Adovia, Lavender Naturals, Giovanni, Arba, Verbena Harvest, and L’Occitane.

Like all the best organic and natural body care products, a body salt scrub is much more appealing than just being natural.  A salt scrub does wonders for your skin by exfoliating and removing old skin cells.  This gives your skin a smoother appearance and a more even tone.  Better yet, by using Dead Sea salt in these scrubs, you gain the advantages attributed to the Dead Sea’s waters!