How is Bokek Dead Sea Salt different from regular sea salt?
- Bokek Dead Sea Salt contains 10 times more minerals than ordinary sea salt, minerals which assist in cleansing, detoxifying, and restoring a healthy status quo to the body, especially the skin and muscles.
- Bokek Dead Sea Salts are very dry and absorb essential oils with ease, enabling the oils to be released easily into the bath water as the salts dissolve. This is beneficial for those wishing to experience the benefits of Dead Sea salt and aromatherapy in the privacy of their own home.
Minerals and Naturally Occurring Chemicals Found in the Dead Sea:
Sulfur is necessary for the secretion of bile from the liver and for converting toxins into non-toxins. Sulfur is found in the amino acids cysteine and methionine; as well as in cells, hemoglobin (of the blood), collagen (of the muscles), keratin (required for skin), insulin, heparin, biotin, and co-enzyme A (required for healthy hair, skin, nails, among many other biological structures). Sulfur is necessary for synthesizing collagen. It is required for the adequate digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and a number of vitamins, such as thiamin, biotin, and pantothenic acid. It is also essential to enabling cells to breathe.
Chlorine is necessary to maintain the correct balance of alkaline and acid in the body, together with being vital for cell metabolism.
Iodine is necessary for the production of the hormone thyroxin, and is also vital for both energy and cell metabolism.
Potassium is necessary to maintain the water balance in order for cell metabolism to take place, assisting the cells to absorb nourishment and expel waste products. An imbalance in potassium often leads to water retention. Potassium also plays a vital role in regulating muscle contractions and the nervous system.
Sodium, like potassium, plays a vital role in assisting the cells to absorb nourishment and expel waste.
Calcium is necessary in strengthening cell membranes and cleansing the pores. In addition, it is vital for production and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones, together with regulating the heart muscles and nerves.
Magnesium is necessary in assisting the body to utilize other essential nutrients and in cell metabolism.
Bromine helps with the natural repair of the body together with cell metabolism and can be used as a natural antibiotic.
Skin Conditions and Bokek® Dead Sea Salt:
- Acne
- Aging & Skin Problems
- Arthritic Disorders
- Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema
- Cellulite
- Dandruff
- Dry Skin
- General Stress
- Hair Loss
- Insomnia
- Skin
- Skin Allergies
- Skin Problems
- Wrinkling
Acne
Acne is a skin condition involving inflammation due to excess oil or sebum (produced by the glands) mixing with dead skin cells and clogging the pores. This inflammation results in whiteheads or blackheads on the skin. If the inflamed or clogged pore runs deep into the skin, a cyst may form on the area. The cyst typically is only painful or colored when it becomes infected by bacteria. There are many causes of acne, but most fall into four categories: clogged pores, bacteria, hormones, and/or hereditary factors.
Acne typically affects 80â90% of adolescents and is usually more common in males than females. The sebaceous glands secrete oil naturally in response to an increase of testosterone in both men and women at puberty. Acne can also develop later in adult years. Acne can also be found in infants due to the activation of sebaceous glands in utero. Acne can be a chronic problem or may resolve itself spontaneously after 4â5 years, as noted in 70% of acne sufferers. The incidence of acne at age 40 years is about 1% for men and 5% for women.
Acne is not caused by dirt or a diet with too much sugar or caffeine, although these factors can aggravate the situation. Other factors include over exposure to certain weather conditions, stress, hormonal changes, oily skin, endocrine conditions, or certain medications or drugs. Acne usually affects the face, chest, back and sometimes the upper-arm.
Acne Treatment: Since acne is often hereditary it cannot be prevented, but good skin care can improve the condition by reducing further lesions. Certain medicinal ointments and cleansers are recommended when the condition becomes uncomfortable or unsightly. These include sulfur, amongst other chemicals. Since Bokek® Dead Sea Salts have a high sulfur content, they are useful in the cleansing required to purify the skin of acne sufferers.
Antibiotics and hormonal or steroid medications are prescribed in severe cases. However, other management is always advisable first as these medications have negative side effects.
Acne can have adverse psychological effects, as one's body image is greatly determined during puberty and adolescence. It is possible to assist the body in restoring a healthy balance with exercise, plenty of water, rest, and a balanced diet, as all these assist in helping the body remove toxins and enhance spontaneous recovery from this condition.
Aging and Skin Problems
Up to 20% of people over 70 years of age experience three to five skin problems that require medical attention. Some of these problems may be caused by a chronic illness such as diabetes, where poor healing and reduced sensation can adversely affect the condition of the skin, especially in the legs and feet. Diseases affecting or involving blood circulation also affect the skin. Certain medications prescribed for maintenance of chronic conditions (e.g. cortisone) also affect the skin, leading to thinning and dryness of the skin. Maintaining healthy skin involves regular exercise, a healthy diet with a low-fat and low-sugar content, a balanced lifestyle, and avoiding exposure to the sun.
Arthritic Disorders
There are 1,000 or more different types of arthritic or rheumatological conditions known today. Of these some are inflammatory in nature and some are acquired (e.g., osteoarthritis is linked to mechanical overuse of certain joints). Some of the conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, poly arthritis, ankylosing spondylosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and more. The cause for these conditions is as yet unknown and there is no known cure for them using conventional or allopathic medicine.
Various studies have taken place at the Dead Sea using treatment programs combining the atmosphere of the Dead Sea with the Dead Sea mineral baths (Balneotherapy) with good results. Of particular interest is that heating the mud and applying it to sore or inflamed joints has proven to eliminate stiffness and pain. This is due to the minerals improving blood circulation necessary to reduce the inflammatory response, together with the detoxifying agent and general muscle relaxant. When the salt has been heated, the ability of the elements to penetrate and be absorbed into the system is increased.
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
Patients with atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis or neurodermitis) form the second largest group of people who use Bokek Dead Sea Salt for dermatological treatment.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease of unknown cause with the following main characteristics:
- Severe itching. This is an inherent aspect of the disease. Most of the visible skin changes are due to the persistent scratching.
- Frequently starts in early infancy. In the early stages the lesions are usually acute, âweepingâ and crusted. Later, the skin becomes thickened with an exaggeration of its natural lines ("lichenification"). This occurs especially in the folds of the knees and elbows, and on the wrists, ankles, and neck.
- Sensitive, reactive skin. The skin is dry, easily irritated by mechanical or chemical stimuli, and tends to become allergic to external, ingested, or inhaled substances (e.g., pollens, bee stings, house dust, foods, drugs). It is more prone to some bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Psychological and climatic factors sometimes play a dominant role in exacerbating or soothing the disease.
- A family history of atophy. Atophy is a genetic susceptibility to certain diseases, which include atopic dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever. The blood of atopic individuals usually has high levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE.
- Results of Dead Sea Salt Treatment: Clearing is usually good to excellent, and for many sufferers undoubtedly exceeds that achieved by other therapies. The severe itching frequently subsides relatively early, even if the skin has not yet shown much response. The process is usually slower and less dramatic for many patients treatment for six rather than four weeks may be more effective.
Cellulite:
Cellulite is experienced by 90% of all women over the age of 20 years. The appearance of cellulite is typically described as a dimpled, cottage cheese-like appearance, due to lumpy deposits of fat below the skin on the thighs, hips and buttocks of women that cause it. Since the fat becomes trapped in compartments of the tissue where there is poor circulation, cellulite is a condition that is difficult to eliminate.
Although exercise is recommended to improve muscle tone and circulation to the area, and a good diet helps remove toxins and provides the necessary nutrients, these do not cure cellulite. Bokek® Dead Sea Salt can assist in detoxifying, which can improve circulation in and suppleness of the skin. The bath salts can also assist in general cleansing of the skin, which is necessary to remove impurities that are otherwise trapped within the tissue.
Dandruff
Shedding of dead skin cells is a natural part of the daily regeneration of the skin, which is shed every 24 days. An excessive shedding of the skin cells of the scalp resulting in white flakes, and sometimes itchiness is known as dandruff. Dandruff, although a natural growth process of the skin, is caused by excess oiliness of the scalp and is therefore seasonal. Contrary to common belief that it would be more severe in summer due to sweating or dryness, dandruff is worse during the winter months. There is no known cure for dandruff.
Dandruff is affected by:
- Use of hairspray and gels
- Overuse of chemical hair treatments
- Use of curling irons and curlers
- Exposure to cold dry weather or dry indoor air
- Tight fitting hats or head scarves
- Stress, anxiety, trauma, and tension
- Personal hygiene
Since dandruff is part of the natural growth process of cells, it cannot be cured but only managed. There are various shampoos on the market that claim to reduce or eliminate dandruff. They contain various chemicals, including sulfur. Bokek® Dead Sea Salts contain sulfur in a natural form. In addition, the other minerals assist in detoxifying and cleansing, which are vital in order to restore the balance of cells to reduce the oiliness of the scalp.
Dry Skin:
Dry skin is a common aspect of the aging process and is seen in most people over the age of 70 years. As skin ages, the physiological changes leading to dryness result in itching and flaking, especially when the weather is cold and dry. This is due both to a decrease in secretions from the oil glands and a reduction in the skin barrier leading to quicker skin irritation.
Other than aging, severely dry skin can indicate various condition such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or an overactive thyroid gland. Itching can also indicate a reaction to a number of medications or drugs, including anticancer drugs.
As one ages, the skin also becomes more susceptible to irritation from contact with various materials, a condition known as contact dermatitis. This could indicate an allergy has developed to any substance, including wool, lanolin (the oil in wool), soap, detergent, or bleach used in the wash. Prevention of contact dermatitis includes wearing loose-fitting clothing, changing your laundry detergent, and washing new clothes before wearing them.
Regular soaking with Dead Sea bath salts and then applying a moisturizer recommended by your doctor can also alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. This is due to the high mineral content in the Dead Sea salt, which helps both in cleansing and replacing required electrolytes necessary for healthy skin.
General Stress:
Stress has become one of those buzzwords typical of the modern times we live in. It is usually seen as being a negative, conjuring up images of difficulty, chaos, etc. Stress in actual fact is the body's response to any situation that necessitates change of one form or another, both negative and positive. It is the trigger or motivator to move forward, act, or react to a given set of circumstances. Without stress our lives would stagnate.
So if we need stress in order to progress in life, why the focus on the negative impact of stress on our lives?
When in a situation requiring change, our body prepares itself for what is known as a fight or flight response. A common example used in stress management is that of facing a lion. If one were to see a lion in the jungle, your immediate reaction would be of impending danger necessitating a decision to stay and fight or to run for your life. The same is true for any situation requiring change; you need to decide how to continue or respond to the given facts presenting themselves to you.
The body reads each new situation as impending danger and thus sets up a hormonal response to ensure that your body will be in a state ready to react quickly, to be alert, and obtain the result necessary to keep you out of danger. This includes an outpouring of adrenaline, a stimulant hormone, into the blood stream. This begins a chain reaction within your body, together with certain other stress hormones, which are intended to be protective. The changes include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure (to get more blood to the muscles, brain, and heart), faster breathing (to take in more oxygen needed by the brain and muscles for quick reactions), tensing of muscles (preparation for action), increased mental alertness and sensitivity of sensory organs (to assess the situation and act quickly), increased blood flow to the brain, heart, and muscles (the organs that are most important in dealing with danger), and decreased blood flow to the skin, digestive tract, kidneys, and liver (where it is least needed in times of crisis). In addition, there is an increase in blood sugar, fats, and cholesterol (for extra energy) and a rise in platelets and blood clotting factors (to prevent hemorrhage in case of injury).
Utilizing these changes within your system at the correct time for the desired response is positive—for example, when fleeing from impending danger. More positive examples include giving a lecture, a presentation, getting married, moving, etc.
When looking at the physiological changes that occur in the body in response to the body's concept of danger or to the stressor, it makes sense why repeated stress will lead to physical changes that, if occurring over an extended period of time, result in illness.
The physical changes or symptoms resulting from stress include but are not limited to: increased heart rate; pounding heart; elevated blood pressure; sweaty palms; tightness of the chest, neck, jaw, and back muscles; headache; diarrhea; constipation; urinary hesitancy; trembling, twitching; stuttering and other speech difficulties; nausea; vomiting; sleep disturbances; fatigue; shallow breathing; dryness of the mouth or throat; susceptibility to minor illness, cold hands, itching; being easily startled; chronic pain and dysponesis.
Emotional signs and symptoms of stress include but are not limited to: irritability, angry outbursts, hostility, depression, jealously, restlessness, withdrawal, anxiousness, diminished initiative, feelings of unreality or over-alertness, reduction of personal involvement with others, lack of interest, tendency to cry, being critical of others, self-deprecation, nightmares, impatience, decreased perception of positive experience opportunities, narrowed focus, obsessive rumination, reduced self-esteem, insomnia, changes in eating habits, and weakened positive emotional response reflexes.
Cognitive/perceptual signs and symptoms of stress include but are not limited to: forgetfulness, preoccupation, blocking, blurred vision, errors in judging distance, diminished or exaggerated fantasy life, reduced creativity, lack of concentration, diminished productivity, lack of attention to detail, orientation to the past, decreased psychomotor reactivity and coordination, attention deficit, disorganization of thought, negative self-esteem, diminished sense of meaning in life, lack of control/need for too much control, negative self-statements, and negative evaluation of experiences.
Behavioral signs and symptoms of stress include but are not limited to: increased smoking, aggressive behaviors (such as driving), increased alcohol or drug use, carelessness, under-eating, over-eating, withdrawal, listlessness, hostility, accident-proneness, nervous laughter, compulsive behavior, and impatience.
From the above lists doctors have now found a link between continued stress or stress symptoms and illness or diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, mental problems, lack of sleep, loss of resistance to illness, and even allergies, among others. For this reason it is important to learn to manage our stress and to reduce our stress symptoms.
Some of the methods of reducing stress and its effects on our health include: relaxation, exercise, diet, forming a healthy sleep pattern, developing good communication and interpersonal relationships, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle, among others.
Bath salts and mud packs offer wonderful relief of the symptoms by increasing circulation and detoxification necessary to remove the byproducts from the stress cycle, thereby freeing your cells from these toxins. They also moisturize the skin and enhance relaxation of the body, which in turn enables one to obtain adequate sleep, necessary for regeneration of the body.
Hair Loss:
Hair loss is a common occurrence of daily life with up to 100 hairs lost per day being regarded as normal. However, when the quantity increases it becomes an understandable cause for concern. The incidence of hair loss is as much as 4 out of 5 people as some stage of their lives.
There are many causes listed as to why hair loss occurs, including: heredity, stress and trauma, local scalp infection, certain diseases or infections which result in a high fever (e.g., flu, pneumonia, or typhoid); certain mediations (e.g., antibiotics, contraceptives, blood thinners, certain antipsychotic drugs); thyroid medication or strong drugs; chemical therapies (e.g., those used for cancer treatments); thyroid problems; emotional or environmental stress; hormonal imbalances; following child birth as the hormones change; and menopause. Iron deficiency anemia and lupus can also cause hair loss.
In the body, a compound called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), made up of water, cholesterol, testosterone, and an enzyme can have an adverse effect on the growth receptors in the hair follicle. It can cause the tiny blood vessels in the papilla to shrink, restricting food and oxygen to the matrix that produces hair protein. DHT also blocks certain receptors in the sebaceous gland, which then can produce a heavy sebum that later hardens in the follicle to form a hard deposit. The hair restricted in both areas atrophies and falls out prematurely. The cycle repeats itself until the follicle is only capable of producing a short hair, which falls out and the follicle itself atrophies. This is then the state we refer to as baldness. It is important to note the pattern of hair fall and the quantity over a given time period to assist in determining if there is an illness causing the hair loss. Typically hair loss is preceded by an excessive production of sebum from the glands known as seborrhea. Sebum is secreted naturally by the body from the ages of 16 or 18; however, when the quantities of sebum secreted become excessive, the hair follicle has difficulty breathing and producing healthy hair, resulting in the hair falling out.
Baldness in men is noted to be as high as 30 million males in the United States. Female baldness is less common and usually occurs centrally on the head. Women usually only develop balding after cancer treatments, when experiencing hormonal changes as in during adrenal or ovarian growths, menopause, or after crash dieting or fasting over an extended period of time.
Using Bokek& Dead Sea Salts in cleansing the scalp improves the hair follicles' ability to allow hair to grow. This in turn helps reduces hair loss.
Insomnia:
There are a number of sleep disorders of which insomnia, described as an inability to sleep or to obtain satisfactory sleep, is the most common, experienced by 25% of Americans. There are different forms of insomnia from difficulty falling asleep, to difficulty staying asleep, to waking early, to sleeping at inappropriate times, to not sleeping deeply enough, which is imperative for REM sleep. Insomnia or restless sleep is experienced by most people at some stage of their lives, but is only considered a problem when this pattern becomes chronic or when it interferes with daily functioning. Prolonged sleep disturbance can lead to disease or illness as it results in an inability of the body to restore or replenish itself, which takes place during sleep. It also interferes with or leads to hormonal changes, which if experienced over a long period of time can lead to disease.
To assist with relaxing in order to fall asleep and to remove toxins from hormonal changes, the Dead Sea bath salts and also mud packs can be very beneficial.
Some causes of sleep disorders or insomnia include:
- Pain experienced at night following injury, trauma, or certain conditions such as arthritis
- Stress
- Emotional trauma or mental anguish
- Ineffective diet including overuse of nicotine, caffeine, and other stimulants
- Reduced exercise
- Environment including noise and light levels
- Geopathic stress
- Jet lag
- Aging
- Nightmares and other dreams that interfere with adequate sleep
- Over-excitement
- Too many electrical appliances in the bedroom
Prolonged sleep disturbance can lead to reduced energy levels, irritability, disorientation, dark circles under the eyes, poor posture, memory and concentration difficulties, and fatigue.
Some recommendations for dealing with sleep problems include:
- Obtain counseling or dealing with whatever psychological issues are involved, including work with a professional who is experienced in dream interpretation and therapy.
- Relax and follow a good exercise program; be careful not to do aerobic exercise during the hour before bedtime.
- Develop a regular sleep pattern and bedtime routine.
- Maintain a balanced diet, including the elimination of caffeine, nicotine, and other stimulants, especially at night.
- Avoid emotional upset or confrontation especially just prior to bedtime. Refrain from watching or reading scary films or the news in the last hour before bedtime.
- Make sure the bedroom is sufficiently ventilated, the temperature is appropriate, and there is reduced noise and light.
As part of the bedtime routine, specialists often recommend hot baths to relax the muscles, de-stress, and prepare for bed. Adding the Dead Sea bath salts to these baths will be beneficial due to their added detoxifying properties and enhancement of a state of general relaxation. Be careful if taking a hot bath to drink water while soaking in the bath to prevent dehydration or dizziness.
Saunas often use Dead Sea salts to evaporate the bromides, thus creating an environment similar to the Dead Sea. Having a hot bath with Bokek® Dead Sea Salts and allowing the steam to collect in the bathroom will have a similar effect. Other than the benefits listed below for bath salts, steaming and using these salts in the bath can be beneficial for respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Skin:
The skin is the largest organ of the human body, forming a protective covering from the harmful effects of the sun's rays, pollution, and the weather extremes of seasonal changes. In addition the skin enables the body to store or hold in its body fluids and provides the elasticity required for every movement we perform. If that is not enough, the skin enables us to communicate with the outside world through the vital sense of touch. Since this vital organ carries out so many important functions we need to respect it by providing good cleansing, replenishing fluids and electrolytes, and avoiding harmful environments—or at least reducing the harmful effects.
Skin Allergies:
A range of factors, including age, stress, illness, chemicals, and others, causes allergies on the skin. The high magnesium and bromine content in the Dead Sea Salt is beneficial for antiallergic treatment due to its cleansing and detoxifying of the skin, together with providing smoothness and relaxation. Using Bokek® Dead Sea Salt is recommended for relief of allergic symptoms affecting the skin.
Skin Problems:
Skin problems are a common aspect of the aging process throughout the spectrum of human development. Certain skin problems affect people at different stages of development and for each it is important to support and nurture the skin in order to restore health and enhance general function.
Skin disorders include acne, dermatitis, blackheads, eczema, dandruff, scabies, scaled head, seborrhea, vitiligo; rheumatological conditions include alkalosis, arthritis (cysteine patients with arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, bursitis, neuralgia, fibrosis, osteoarthritis, polyarthritis, spondylosis, and tendonitis, as well as hair falling and balding, breast firming, constipation, diarrhea, dyspnea, insomnia and fatigue, impotence, intestinal parasites, stress, sciatica, sluggishness, tinea, and worms.
Wrinkling:
Wrinkling is the result of a number of factors: accumulated exposure to the sun, heredity, and a weakening of elastin and collagen, which is part of the aging process. Elastin is responsible for the skin's flexibility. The protein fibers known as collagen provide physical support for the skin. (Loss of collagen is more common in women than in men. The skin's natural fatty layer also reduces with age, causing the skin to sink inward. Added to all these factors is the constant pull of gravity, which increases the sagging of the skin.
Research into the benefits of minerals from Dead Sea salt has shown a 40% reduction in the depth of the wrinkling.
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These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.