The Benefits of a Seaweed Bath
The initial thought of a seaweed bath might bring to mind a sludgy, mushy concoction of stringy plants and water. The thought of sitting in this might not seem very appealing, however it really isn’t as bad as all that. In fact, spas have been featuring seaweed baths for hundreds of years—most of them being quite costly yet so simple in design! We are going to talk about the benefits that bathing in seaweed water can have as well as instructions on how to create your very own seaweed bath at home.
Seaweed has natural hydrating properties that help to moisturize and rejuvenate dry and lackluster skin. Seaweed also contains many basic vitamins, minerals, and proteins which are released when the seaweed is added to warm water. The warmth of the water as well as the steam it produces encourages the pores in our skin to open up, which makes it easier for the skin to absorb the nutrients from the seaweed. Seaweed also contains colloids, or minerals which are able to retain their form even after being added to water. These colloids lend a great helping hand when it comes to the processes of cellular growth and repair. This means that the skin will appear much more supple and have greater elasticity, which makes it look and feel younger.
There have been scientific studies that suggest that seaweed may even help improve blood circulation throughout one’s skin. This increase in micro circulation can improve the color of one’s skin and lend it a more youthful glow. It can also help filter out the impurities that may have cast a gray or sallow appearance to one’s skin. This grayness can often lead to unhealthy looking skin and even a sickly facade.
There are several different ways that you can create your own spa-quality seaweed bath at home. We are going to talk about two of the most popular types. The first method of seaweed bath involves putting the seaweed directly into one’s bath. Seaweed can be purchased in a dried form which minimizes the initial mess during the packaging process. You can check with local health or alternative stores, however if they do not carry dried seaweed, you may have to browse around online. There are plenty of online retailers that carry dried seaweed from all over the world and offer a huge selection to choose from.
Once the seaweed arrives, simply add about three or four ounces of dried seaweed to your bath water. If you want to add Epsom salt or essential oils, do so at this time. Allow the seaweed a bit of time to rehydrate. Because of this, you may want to run the water a little hotter than usual so it is at the perfect temperature by the time you are ready to bathe. Soak in the bath for as long as you like, but it is recommended that you allow your body at least half an hour to soak up the vitamins and minerals of the seaweed. Remove as much of the seaweed from the bath as you can before pulling the stopper out. If your bath tub does not have a strainer built in to collect hair and other particles, you may want to purchase one as you definitely don’t want bits of seaweed to clog your drain!
The next method doesn’t require as much care with drainage because you don’t actually have to put the seaweed in the bath. For this method, you simply pour three or four ounces of the dried seaweed into an old stocking or pantyhose leg. Tie the open end securely with a knot. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the stocking full of seaweed, then turn the burner off. Allow the mixture to “steep” for about twenty or thirty minutes. Pour this mixture into your bath water and add any salts or essential oils that you wish. As this method of seaweed bath is a little more diluted, you may want to allow for a longer soak time.