Water is one of natures gifts as it can be used in numerous ways and can also benefit us it many ways. Its use for therapeutic purposes has been known for thousands of years and by many cultures. We know that it was a major part of Greek and Egyptian medicine to the point that the ancient Greeks believed that seawater had the power to take away malignant tumors and revitalize the nervous system.

There are bathing places built on the shores of the Dead Sea, as it has been renowned for thousands of years as having beneficial effects on the body. Lakes that are high in mineral salts are used by people all over the world as the salts penetrate the body through the pores and have a great therapeutic effect on the skin and total body. They can actually detoxify the body, increase blood and lymph circulation and help speed up the elimination of wastes in the body.

There are many hotels based on the shores on the Dead Sea, which offer a wide range of spa treatments. These Dead Sea minerals are also sold for home use in bathes, body and hair treatments as well as other personal uses.

Another treatment from the Dead Sea is mud baths, which are rich in dissolved mineral salts, and plant extracts. It is another way of cleansing the skin and treating arthritis and skin disorders. Various types of mud are used in salon treatments because they act powerfully on the skins surface taking away impurities such as dead cells and grime caused by pollution in the air.

A further medical treatment using seawater is known as thalassotherapy which when used can alleviate stress and fatigue, regulate blood pressure, purify the body and soothe muscular aches and pains. It also assists in improving the skin and hair quality as well as recharging the body by replacing some necessary nutrients.

Floating around in water can also promote deep relaxation and there are many clinics using floatation tanks for this very purpose. Flotation allows you to unwind and even meditate if you so wish. The flotation tanks used have mineral salts, which enables your body to float and in turn allows you to become mentally and physically relaxed.

Many of us have been in a spa and felt the soothing and relaxing effects of the jets and bubbles. These days you can have your very own spa at home, which means that you can get that relaxing experience whenever you want.

Anther similar piece of equipment you can have at home is a power shower which when used stimulates the blood and lymph circulation. I also discovered that women can restore tone to sagging breasts by using alternate sprays of hot and cold water performed on a daily basis for about one minute. Also power showers used in specific areas such as thighs and buttocks can break down fats and help take away toxins through better circulation.

We have all heard of people jumping into icy cold water in the name of good health and thought they were all mad! Well I am here to tell you that research has shown that cold-water baths can boost the production of the blood-thinning enzyme called TPA, which helps in preventing blood clots. Other reactions to the cold water are the release of various hormones into the blood stream, which stimulate the thyroid and thereby increase the oxygen consumption of the blood cells.

Cold water has also been found to increase the production of white blood cells, which are very important in fighting off infection. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome have also benefited from cold-water baths.

We can go on and on about the virtues of water but that would make this article more like a book. I only wanted to introduce you to some of the ways you can use water to provide healthy benefits. Some of you may want to learn more about waters magic and you can do this by visiting your local library or bookshop.

In the meantime stay healthy and continue to learn what nature can provide for us.