The Mud Bath Low-Down

30 seconds

Mud baths are an acquired taste, but they can be healthy and therapeutic. Researchers have found that the application of warm mud – as opposed to cosmetic mud that often contains alcohol, a drying agent – can give people with dry skin long-lasting beneficial effects. Mud applications may also be helpful for those with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Skin problems may also improve – mud can help reduce pain from burns and bee stings and draw out heat, reducing inflammation. The mud from the Dead Sea in Israel is reputed to have therapeutic effects for diseases like psoriasis, attracting people from all over the world for mud baths.

If you’re interested in mud baths, be aware that at home they’re perfectly safe, but in a spa setting you can be at risk of contracting a skin disorder if the mud isn’t changed as often as necessary. Some of the bugs responsible, such as bacteria known as pseudomonas, thrive in higher temperatures. Make sure they are using fresh mud if you partake at a spa.

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