Thalassotherapy is the use of of the sea and sea products to maintain health and wellness. Thalassa, the Greek Goddess of the Mediterranean was thought to be the creator of all sea life. She was revered for the life giving aspect of her sea nature.

From the 5th century BC, the ancient Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks built temples of healing along their coasts. We can thank the Romans for bringing  about the use of marine mud and mud baths for healing.

Hippocrates, Galen, Plato, and Aristotle recommended the use of seawater for treating various ailments such as aching muscles and arthritis.

In 1906, a French marine biologist named Rene Quinton came to a revolutionary conclusion that the internal environment of each living creature is a reflection of the external environment of primordial life. Based on his studies of human blood plasma and lymph, Quinton discovered that seawater is chemically identical to both.
The study of curative effects of seawater continues today and in France is accepted as valid medical treatment.

Thalassotherapy provides us with a multitude of benefits. Seaweeds, algae, sea salt, and briny air are antibacterial agents, help to firm the skin, eliminate toxins and stimulate blood circulation. The healing properties of the sea are abundant and widely used today in spas throughout the world.

Curious? You can schedule a Thalassotherapy session with me at Texas Healing Arts. Go to www.texashealing arts.com and look for the “book and appointment” tab. There you will find services like “mud spot treatment” and “the full shebang” (a sea salt scrub followed by massage)

I’ll be teaching a Continuing Education workshop on Thalassotherapy this summer, so if you are an MT looking for some interesting CE classes, check the THAI website.

For now, I’ll leave you with a few recipes to try at home.
Be well!

Seaweed Lotion
1 T. kelp powder
1 c. distilled, mineral, or floral water
1/2 c. aloe vera gel
1 T. almond oil

Combine kelp powder and water in a nonmetal bowl and mix. Add aloe vera and almond oil to the kelp mixture. Add more water to bring to desired consistency.
Bottle or jar and refrigerate. Keeps up to 6 months.

Sea Salt Detoxification Bath
2 c. sea salt
2T. oil of choce - sweet almond, grapeseed, apricot kernal…

Pour ingredients into the tub while it is filling with water and mix well. Soak for 20 - 30 minutes.