Water has been long been regarded with almost a certain spirituality. Water is after all, the giver of a life and a natural healer.
There are various types of water therapies including balneotherapy, heliotherapy, phytotherapy and thalassotherapy.
Thalassotherapy was started by the French and involves the medical use of seawater. Essentially, it is based in the concept that the trace elements found in seawater can be absorbed through the skin. Thalassotherapy utilises water in numerous ways including showers of warmed seawater, application of marine mud or of algae paste, the inhalation of sea fog, the consumption of sea water therapy and the healing effects of the sea’s pounding waves.
We’ve all heard of those soothing beauty therapies where one is covered in a thick layer of mud and left to relax, but drinking sea water, really? Haven’t we always been told that this is a no-no?
According to seawater enthusiasts, sea water consumption therapy assists with digestion. This is apparently due to the expectorant effect of salt water which increase the secretion of gastric juices. Others have also claimed sea water consumption therapy re-establishes the acid/alkaline balance in individuals with an acidic system, thereby aiding recovery from digestive disorders such as gastritis, especially if it is attributed to nicotine abuse.
Some research has found that the use of sea water to be beneficial in boosting the immune system.
Sea water also been use in other cultures for healing. Some Africans use salt water to naturally treat skin conditions including dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot and spots. Across the globe, American Indians residing near the Great Salt Lake, Utah, drank small quantities of inland sea water for health and to improve the efficiency of their herbal remedies. It is also common to hear of some people drinking sea water as a way to boost the health properties of superfoods such as chlorella and spirulina.
This doesn’t mean you should start guzzling down barrels of sea water. If you’re interested in Thalassotherapy or a form of sea water consumption therapy, seek out the guidance of an experienced practitioner. This isn’t something you should try at home (or at the beach for that matter). In some traditions the water intake is in small, specific portions so it is seek the advice of a health practitioner to ensure safe practice.
For more information on ocean therapy
