Got Mud?

Mud packs and baths were used by the Romans as far back as 120 B.C. to heal wounds. Today, mud is still used medicinally in European spa clinics as an effective treatment for arthritis, rheumatism and pulled muscles. The heat together with the chemical composition of a specific mud or clay can be remarkably powerful. Vitamins, minerals and plant substances found in some muds are absorbed into the body and can clear metabolic pathways, improve waste elimination, boost cell oxygenation and heighten nerve function.

Anyone who has discovered the delights of a mud bath also knows its rejuvenating, nourishing powers. The warm mud spread over your body is both sensuous and relaxing. As the mud dries, youll feel the invigorating tingle of your skin tightening. Many impurities and toxins are being drawn out of your skin, temporarily toning and refreshing it. Even after the mud is rinsed off in a warm, pleasurable shower, many beneficial trace minerals remain which help to restore your skin.

There are also a number of clays which are just as enjoyable and beneficial as the various types of muds. A good clay mask deeply cleans your skin, leaving it looking radiant and more refined. French Green clay is a fine pale green clay from southern France. Containing magnesium, dolomite, and silica, it is highly absorbent and makes a fantastic deodorant or cleanser. Kaolin is a fine white powder clay which comes from southeast China. Rich in aluminum silicate, it is often used as a thickening agent for facial and body masks and for facial creams. Rhassoul, another good hair and body cleanser, is a natural-colored clay found in the Atlas mountains.

So, if you are not already a convert to the wonderful healing and transforming properties of muds and clays, I urge you to give them a try at your next spa treatment!