What is Mud Therapy?
Mud therapy has been gaining popularity for a while now, but what is it that makes it so popular? Mud contains minerals that have positive effects on human health. The mud used for mud therapy must be mud containing minerals such as magnesium, sodium, and sulfur. They are also made with volcanic ash. Probably safe to say you don’t want to rub yourself down in your backyard mud.
What to Expect at a Mud Therapy Appointment
When you arrive at your appointment, you’ll be taken to the back to disrobe. You are allowed to choose if you want a bathing suit on or if you’d prefer to go nude. After disrobing, you’ll get into the tub of mud. Because of the temperature of the mud, be careful that you are slowly getting in so your body can adjust. Mud baths are usually followed by another treatment such as massage or masks, so the mud bath should last about 15-20 minutes before you get out and rinse off.
Different Techniques of Mud Therapy
- Mud Bath: You either sit or lay down. The mud will be prepared by soaking it in water then the mud will be applied to you. You will sit in the mud for 40-60 minutes and then will have to be thoroughly washed with cold water. After being dried, you will be taken to a warm bed.
- Mud Pack: Mud is soaked into a thin, wet muslin cloth then applied to a specific area of the body. It’s usually applied for 20-30 minutes. This can be applied to your eyes, head, face, or abdomen.
- Mud Wrap: If you don’t want to sit in a tub full of mud, but you still want the benefits of a full body treatment, you have the option to go to a spa to receive a mud application instead.
Benefits of Mud Therapy
Mud therapy is known for its healing properties, along with the fact that mud absorbs toxins from our body. It also has many therapeutic benefits, along with being amazing for your skin. Other benefits are:
- Relaxes muscles
- Improves blood circulation
- Helps relieve inflammation and swelling
- Good for your hair and skin
- Helps relieve stiff joints
- Helps relieve constipation
- Gout
- Influenza
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Skin Disorders
When to Avoid Mud Therapy
Pregnant women should definitely avoid mud baths, along with anyone suffering from high or low blood pressure. A heart disorder would also prevent you from using a mud bath. If you are worried about taking a mud bath, you should always contact your doctor.
Study Based on Mud Baths for Arthritis
In a study done in 2011, patients who had knee osteoarthritis were split into two groups. Group A received three cycles of mud-based spa therapy over a year. Group B did not receive any. Their results were recorded along the way by symptoms, severity of symptoms, and the frequency of the symptoms. Group A showed incredible results and they showed reduced frequency and severity of their symptoms. Also, no adverse effects were observed.
Best Places to Visit to Experience the World’s Best Mud Baths
Napa Valley, California
This spa consists of hot springs water and volcanic ash, which the water is around 212-degree-fahrenheit.
Hell’s Gate, New Zealand
Not only is this place popular for mud baths, it’s also interesting to know that it is owned by the native tribe that has lived there for over 700 years. Hell’s Gate has pools of boiling mud, a hot waterfall, and the largest mud volcano in the world. They have three different types of mud at Hell’s Gate: White, Black, and Grey.
Volcán El Totumo, Colombia
This tourist attraction is literally inside of a small volcano. It is not a huge crater, so only about 15 people can get in there at a time, but be prepared to be very close to the people near you. While in the mud bath, attendants will rub you down in mud and offer a massage. After your time is up, you will be taken over to a group of local women who will help wash the mud off of your body.
Dead Sea
We’ve all heard about the Dead Sea, mostly for its salts. Not only is it 10 times saltier than the ocean, it has 21 minerals, which some of them cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You can receive a mud bath at a spa or directly on the beach.
Wadden Sea
When this sea is at low tide, the seabed is exposed for all to see. Not only can you see, but you can walk onto it. This mud is extremely salty and mineralized, and also used in many cosmetic creams. Not only can you take this time to use the mud, it is home to many wildlife.
Milky Way Lagoon, Palau
While in the Milky Way Lagoon, tour guides encourage tourists to rub the white limestone mud all over their body, as it works as an exfoliator for a natural glow.
References:
Mud Therapy. Government of India.
Mud Therapy Benefits. Naturopathy Cure.
Mud Therapy Treatment – How It Works in Naturopathy? Nirvana Naturopathy & Retreat
2018. 5 Amazing Benefits of Mud Therapy (You Must Know). Nimba Naturopathy Centre.
Kallenbach, L. 2012. Wallowing in Relaxation: Therapeutic Mud Treatments.
Truesdale, L. Mud Baths: Nine Things to Know & Five Places to Go. Travel to Wellness.
2017. Mud Bath Spa Treatments: Everything You Need to Know. Groupon.
Clarke, M. 2017. The Truth About Mud Baths. Racked.
Bunch, E. 2018. The Top 10 Places to Go Natural Mud Bathing. Well and Good.
Keller, J. There Will Be Mud: The World’s 13 Best Mud Baths. American Express Essentials.
About the Wadden Sea. Common Wadden Sea Secretariat.