Health Smart Mom

Have you ever visited a spa? It is one of the best ways to pamper yourself and get away from it all. But did you know that it is as good for your body as it is for your soul? 

A spa visit can encompass many services. You don’t have to stop at the massage table. There are manicures, pedicures, facials, wraps and mud baths. Yes, we did say mud baths.

So, what is a mud bath? We are not talking about “hogs rolling in the dirt” kind of mud here (if we were I’d just go out in the backyard with the kids!) This is a special mud treatment that works wonders not only for stress relief but also as a beauty treatment.

History of Mud Baths

Recorded history of mud baths go back as far as ancient Egypt. In Egypt, royalty enjoyed them as a way to stay beautiful and vibrant. It involves using products created by Mother Nature herself to bring out the best in your skin and body.

The health benefits that users swear by are not scientifically proven, but you know what you feel. The mud treatment is said to help clear clogged pores. Toxins are removed from the body as well. Those who suffer from pain in their muscles and joints have found relief through mud baths.

What Do I Do in a Mud Bath?

If you ever go for a mud bath, here is what will likely happen. The pool is usually in the floor and built for one at a time. Someone will help you lower yourself into the super-warm concoction. The mud is heated to about 100 degrees. It will feel funny at first until you get settled in.

You are immersed up to your neck. Don’t worry about heading for the bottom. The peat helps give you a feeling of being suspended in the mud instead of sinking in quicksand. You will sweat a lot from the temperature of the mud but that is one way to remove toxins.

When your soothing experience is done, you are given cool clothes to help your body’s temperature come down naturally. You will also drink cool water to replenish the fluids lost.

The mud bath is not for everyone, though. If you are pregnant or even claustrophobic, the experience may not be compatible with you. It especially depends on the type of mud used, some mud baths use mineral water that has lots of sulfur in it and that smells like stinky rotten eggs.

Can I Get A Mud Bath at Home?

Mud baths are pretty difficult to provide at home, mainly due to the mess.  However you can still receive many of the benefits of a mud bath at home using home mud wraps and mud that you slather on your body, let dry and then wash off.  But the actual soaking in a mud bath is a bit more tricky at home.