We're hearing more and more about Dead Sea salts and minerals lately. Some are wondering if these Dead Sea products are just the latest fad or if they actually provide health benefits. Dead Sea salts and minerals definitely provide essential healing properties; they are unique to any other product available.

The Dead Sea located in Israel and Jordan, about 15 miles east of Jerusalem. It is the lowest point on earth (417 feet below sea level) and has more saline than the Great Salt Lake. Because of its high concentration of salt, the Dead Sea is not able to support any aquatic life, thereby giving it the name.

The mineral content of the Dead Sea is significantly different from that of ocean water, consisting of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium chloride (common salt) with the remainder comprised of various trace elements. Anyone can easily float in the Dead Sea because of its unusually high concentration of salt.

Minerals derived from the Dead Sea have been clinically proven to increase circulation, help skin maintain natural moisture, treat psoriasis, eczema, acne and wrinkles. They can also aid in healing ailments originating on the inside of the body too.

It is common practice for holistic doctors to prescribe daily 20 minute Dead Sea salt baths. The healing properties are able to draw out toxins located inside of the body. There are many bath salts on the market; yet not all of them are from the Dead Sea. Read the label carefully.

Note: if the label does not specify "Dead Sea" then you could be getting sulfur. Sulfuric minerals can produce a "rotten egg" smell because of the sulfur dioxide gas escaping into the air. Sulfur has been used medicinally since ancient times; however some people are highly allergic to associations of sulfur such as sulfites and sulfa drugs.

Just as dangerous chemicals and metals can be absorbed through the skin, so can the skin absorb healing beneficial minerals. For this reason many cosmetic companies and health spas offer treatments and products produced with minerals and salts from the Dead Sea.

One can benefit from using Dead Sea bath salts, lotions, body butters and mud. The use of mud should start out gradual so that the skin can adjust to the active ingredients. Use it as a facial mask or apply it to sore joints such as knees and elbows. When applied to the scalp, Dead Sea mud thickens hair roots to enhance renewed growth. Although Dead Sea minerals and salts have been used since the days of Cleopatra, today it is still an untapped healing source. The Dead Sea was one of the world's first health resorts for Herod the Great and it is still a source of healing today – definitely not the latest fad!