Destinations
Healing In The Living Dead Sea
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In the Cradle of Civilization lies a unique body of water that is rich in Biblical history and is famous for its healing powers at the same time. It is the Dead Sea, devoid of life, but paradoxically full of life-enhancing qualities. People from all over the world make health and well being pilgrimages to this sea, the world’s largest natural spa.
Technically a lake, the Dead Sea is situated between Israel and the West Bank in the west and Jordan to the East. It is also the lowest point on Earth, 400 metres below sea level. The area around the Dead Sea is a quiet, sparsely populated landscape that is said to have been populated by five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar. But the Dead Sea is even more famous for its warm salty water. Water flowing in from the Jordan River evaporates because of the hot weather leaving behind salt and sediment to accumulate in the water. This natural evaporation process is the cause for the sea’s high salinity, which averages to about 280 grams per kilogram of water, compared to 35 grams in the ocean.
Along the shoreline, you will find rocks covered in a salt mineral deposit that makes the beach look like it has had a fresh snowfall. Because of the extremely high salt content, the Dead Sea is devoid of any plant or animal life, save for a few microbes. It is the salt content that gives the Dead Sea its healing and therapeutic powers and characteristic buoyancy. The sea has been used for therapeutic purposes since the days of King Herod the Great, who used to travel to the Dead Sea to rejuvenate. Since the salt content of this sea is nearly eight times as salty as the oceans, humans can float on the surface of the water and swimming is therefore made extremely tricky. This sea is the only body of water in the world in which you can lie on your back and read a newspaper, supported only by salt water.
Nature’s Therapy
The heavily oxygenated atmosphere, combined with pollen- and pollution-free air contributes to an ideal environment for patients suffering from asthma and certain lung diseases. Patients with lung diseases who breathe in this clean air feel that some, if not most, of their symptoms are soothed. Due to the constant evaporation of seawater, a haze hangs in the air that filters the sun’s rays. Sunbathers can float in the water with little risk of sunburn since exposure to the sun is less intense.
The Dead Sea contains dozens of minerals including magnesium, bromine, calcium and potassium. These minerals are known for curing eczema, psoriasis, rheumatism and arthritis, among other maladies. These minerals are also known for their skin-nourishing qualities and are the main ingredients in many cosmetics. In fact, Cleopatra, considered one of the most beautiful women of the ancient world, used to visit the Dead Sea for its cosmetic purposes and even built cosmetic factories by the shore, the remains of which can still be seen today.
Among Cleopatra’s beauty regimen is a full body mud mask. Black mud is extracted from the seabed and is spread on the body and face to firm, tone and purify skin. Many people will travel in groups of twos or threes to administer a mud mask to one another’s body. The result is a memorable, fun-filled photo-op.
The magical sea is a popular place to receive several different therapeutic treatments. Some countries, such as Germany and Austria, consider the Dead Sea to be a medicinal body of water and thus, insurance companies in these countries may sponsor a patient to vacation in the Dead Sea to heal (as it would be cheaper than paying for a lifetime of drugs and doctors visits). Among the more popular of these treatments are:
Heliotherapy: A form of medical therapy whereby patients are exposed to UVA/UVB rays to treat psoriasis, eczema, vitamin D deficiency and seasonal affective disorder.
Climatotherapy: The temporary or permanent relocation of a patient to a better climate in which the patient can retreat and rejuvenate.
Thalassotherapy: The medical use of seawater. Forms of thalassotherapy may include warm seawater baths, application of mud masks to the body and inhalation of sea fog.
When To Visit Nature’s Spa
Any time of the year would be a good time to visit the Dead Sea, as the area experiences sunny skies and dry air year-round. There are many attractions surrounding the Dead Sea like hotels, spas, therapeutic clinics and nature reserves.
While the Dead Sea remains among the lesser-known tourist destinations, it should be noted that it is in danger of disappearing for good and it would be worthwhile to pay a visit to this splendid place while you still can. The sea level of the Dead Sea is dropping by nearly 30 centimetres a year. Israel and Jordan are diverting the water for industrial and agricultural use. Scientists predict that the sea will dry up completely by 2050.
Rejuvenate
If you are looking for a place to rejuvenate, heal or beautify yourself in an area where modern history began, then the Dead Sea is the ideal place for you. The benefits of simply swimming in the sea are endless and so is the all the fun and joy you will experience in this natural world wonder.
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