Dead Sea Mud

[Heidi_234]

Does it do any good for hair?
All the pictures show a pretty model covered from head to toe with this dark mud, including her hair. I just realized, maybe there are some uses for it in hair care routine?
I tried searching the web, but I only found info given by companies distributing this mud stuff. Here are some promising words:

Tip: Mud masks made with Dead Sea mud have also proved to be very helpful when applied to a scalp for hair roots strengthening. These masks help to stop hair loss and enhance new growth. They proved to be 4 times more effective than any other product of the kind during comparative tests with many other popular cosmetic brands.
http://www.cleopatraschoice.com/dead-sea-mud-benefits.php

And here's a recipe:

A great Dead Sea hair wrap can be made with 1/2 cup mud or clay (wet with Dead Sea brine), 1 tablespoon shikakai powder, 1 teaspoon aritha powder, 1 teaspoon neem powder, 1 tablespoon jojoba oil and 5 drops of rosemary essential oil. All of these ingredients are available throughout our online catalog. Mix all of the ingredients and massage through wet hair. Wrap your head with plastic and then a hot towel. Leave it in for at least 15 minutes, and then wash out.
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/DeadSea.asp

Just a way to commerce and make money, or really good and useful?

[Melisande]

I like the stuff, and when I was younger, I used it on my skind and on my hair, too. It cleared up my pimples and gave me a glow. But that was many years ago.

Now my skin is too dry for it, so I don't buy it anymore. But it's supposed to be good for the scalp. I would recommend to put oil on the hair before you put on the mud because it's drying.

Ahava produces shampoo and other good products. In Germany, Murnauer products are popular. I tried both and they are both good. Cleopatra's choice is a well known brand, too.

Dead sea mud is special. It's full of sulphur and potassium.

[venividibxtchy]

Does it do any good for hair?
All the pictures show a pretty model covered from head to toe with this dark mud, including her hair. I just realized, maybe there are some uses for it in hair care routine?
I tried searching the web, but I only found info given by companies distributing this mud stuff. Here are some promising words:

http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/DeadSea.asp

And here's a recipe:

http://www.cleopatraschoice.com/dead-sea-mud-benefits.php

Just a way to commerce and make money, or really good and useful?

I've used a Mud & Clay shampoo bar on my hair, and it worked wonderfully. It left my hair feeling clean, without the "squeakies".

[Oskimosa]

I've used a Mud & Clay shampoo bar on my hair, and it worked wonderfully. It left my hair feeling clean, without the "squeakies".

I used that, and also the dead sea soap bar (on my hair and skin) from CV. I didn't see anything special about it at all, it was just very very finely gritty, not enough to exfoliate with, and had a grey/black residue. :shrug: But I should also add that none of the CV soaps worked for me long-term. Still, I don't really agree with the hype that the dead sea salt/clay gets.

[ladyluck]

I've never used it on my hair but when I went to the Dead Sea I used the mud and it was amazing on my skin.

[Heidi_234]

Another one I found:

Dead Sea Mud as a Scalp Treatment: Place the package in hot water for 30-60 seconds - (the package inside the jar - not the jar itself). Apply the mud to the hair and scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes up to one hour. Rinse with warm water. It purifies from metals, toxic matter and impurities. Unlike chemically formulated shampoos, the Dead Sea Mud is gentle and can be used daily.

Remember, some shampoos stunt hair growth, cause hair fall, dandruff and sore itchy scalp over time. Natural is better!



Helps Eradicate Dandruff & Scalp Acne: Apply the mud mask directly on scalp (not the hair) to treat dandruff and scalp acne. Dead Sea Mud is very effective in stopping extra hair oiliness and it also helps make hair roots stronger.



Natural Nourishment: The Dead Sea contains 15 times the Magnesium found in ordinary sea water. Magnesium helps the metabolism of skin cells, as well as being an anti-allergen. The minerals in Dead Sea Mud will:


nourish your hair and stimulate hair growth

prevent your scalp and hair from drying

provides balance by way of Calcium

strengthen your hair by way of Iron

maintain moisture and water balance on the hair and scalp by way of Potassium



These minerals all together take care of your hair naturally without the risk damage. Using Dead Sea products will not only help you end existing hair and scalp problems, it will also help you prevent them and maintain strong and healthy hair.

Magnesium helps the metabolism of skin cells, as well as being an anti-allergen. Other Dead Sea minerals include zinc, bromine and iodine.

http://getincd.wordpress.com/2008/06/10/dead-sea-mud-as-a-scalp-treatment/

I wish I had more scientific resources and researches to look at though.

[venividibxtchy]

I used that, and also the dead sea soap bar (on my hair and skin) from CV. I didn't see anything special about it at all, it was just very very finely gritty, not enough to exfoliate with, and had a grey/black residue. :shrug: But I should also add that none of the CV soaps worked for me long-term. Still, I don't really agree with the hype that the dead sea salt/clay gets.

I didn't feel any grit from the Mud & Clay bar at all, and I have yet to try the Dead Sea one, though I have it.

I do know that both mud and clay masks are scientifically proven to extract impurities from the pores of the skin and scalp, and my own experience with them in various forms has aligned with that. I'm not entirely certain about its effects on the length of one's hair, though.

If your university or library has an account, you should check out JSTOR. I'm fairly confident that you'd be able to find some more conclusive studies and articles on there.

[Melisande]

Even a simple google search brings up links (http://safideadseasalt.com/_wsn/page4.html)to studies about the benefits of dead sea mud for different health concerns.

[Heidi_234]

Even a simple google search brings up links (http://safideadseasalt.com/_wsn/page4.html)to studies about the benefits of dead sea mud for different health concerns.
I tried to look for more hair/scalp related material, as it is what should concern us.
venividibxtchy, unfortunately I'm not in a university and I can't access this website.:(

[Melisande]

I tried to look for more hair/scalp related material, as it is what should concern us.

Removing toxins, enhancing skin hydration and reducing inflammation on topic skin seem relevant to me. Many people have scalp problems like build up, pimples, dry flakes, eczema or itchies.

[Sissy]

I have to admit this dead sea mud all sounds very interesting. I was tempted to order the mud and clay bar from CV when I ordered but I did not. If I order from there again perhaps I'll try it. However, I'm still trying to decide if I even like shampoo bars ;)

[Heidi_234]

I tried to look for more hair/scalp related material, as it is what should concern us.

Removing toxins, enhancing skin hydration and reducing inflammation on topic skin seem relevant to me. Many people have scalp problems like build up, pimples, dry flakes, eczema or itchies.

That's true. You're right.
I also was looking for non biased studies to support this statement I quoted "Mud masks made with Dead Sea mud have also proved to be very helpful when applied to a scalp for hair roots strengthening. These masks help to stop hair loss and enhance new growth." I came across this in couple more places, that intrigued me, if it's true of course.

[ktani]

I did a Dead Sea Mud search

Dead Sea Mud
http://www.deadsea-health.org/new_html/general_main.html#top (http://www.deadsea-health.org/new_html/general_main.html#top)

pH
Antimicrobial properties of Dead Sea black mineral mud Conclusion The antibacterial properties of Dead Sea mud are probably owing to chemical ... authors correctly recognized the predominance of alkaline ...
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02621.x -

".... Mud Mask contains alkaline occurring naturally in the mud from the Dead Sea."
http://sabonnyc.com/index.cfm/a/article.show/artid/55

2004
Safety and Strengths in products
".... analysis of 17 commercial cosmetics, including packaged mud, for 65 elements .... revealed no toxic elements at elevated levels of concern. From a toxic-elements standpoint .... Dead Sea black muds and derivative products appear safe for the consumer."
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004AM/finalprogram/abstract_77118.htm (http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004AM/finalprogram/abstract_77118.htm)

Abrasive
“Because we feel these soaps are truly …. Their non-irritating, mildly abrasive quality helps to deep-clean pores and gently remove dead skin cells ….”
http://www.yeshakemsoapshoppe.com/dead-sea-mud-products.html (http://www.yeshakemsoapshoppe.com/dead-sea-mud-products.html)

My conclusions. The mud is actually clay and is alkaline and most likely slightly abrasive, 2 things that you do not want for hair, although they can be great for skin once in a while, not all of the time, because of the mineral content, in this case.

[wolf girl]

Isn't the Dead Sea full of natually occurring salt making it uninhabitable? I would think that the salt settles on the bottom and accumilates in the mud.

Salt = drying

Egyptians used it to dry out the dead to prepare for mumification. Why would I want this on my hair?? :wigtongue

[ktani]

Isn't the Dead Sea full of natually occurring salt making it uninhabitable? I would think that the salt settles on the bottom and accumilates in the mud.

Salt = drying

Egyptians used it to dry out the dead to prepare for mumification. Why would I want this on my hair?? :wigtongue

What they actually do when they sell it is add things to it like

".... Dead Sea mud, Dead Sea water, Dead Sea salt, dark amber honey, aloe vera extract, sea kelp powder, vitamin E, extracts of rosemary, grapefruit, peppermint, myrrh and propolis."
http://sabonnyc.com/index.cfm/a/article.show/artid/55

The salt content of the mud probably varies but you are right, salt is not good for hair.

[ktani]

Update 2008, Safety confirmation

".... analysis of eight toxic elements in samples collected from three black mud deposits .... on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea in Jordan revealed no special enrichment of toxic elements in the mud. .... similar analysis of 16 different commercial Dead Sea mud cosmetics, including packaged mud, likewise revealed no toxic elements at elevated levels of concern. From a toxic element standpoint .... Dead Sea black muds and derivative products appear to be safe for the consumer."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18688731



I have absolutely no idea what this means, from the same link.
"Whatever the therapeutic benefits of the mud, our comparison of the elemental fingerprints of the consumer products with those of the field samples revealed one disturbing aspect: Dead Sea black mud should not be a significant component of such items as hand creams, body lotions, shampoo, and moisturizer."

The earlier link said this at the end and they are by the same author
"Whatever the therapeutic benefits of the mud, comparison of the elemental compositions of the consumer products with that of the pure mud had one disturbing aspect: such products as shaving cream, hand and body lotion, shampoo, and moisturizer in fact contained very little mud. In contrast, the packaged mud and facial mask products were closer to “full strength.”
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004AM/finalprogram/abstract_77118.htm

I think that the reference is to this
"Natural muds used as or in cosmetics may expose consumers to toxic metals and elements via absorption through the skin, inhalation of the dried product, or ingestion (by children).", even though the test results revealed no toxicity in either study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18688731

Unless they are referring back to this
"There are three pathways by which such elements might enter the human body. First, toxic elements might be directly absorbed or enter through abrasions or other compromises in the integrity of the skin to which it is applied. Second, dried mud could be inhaled or incorporated into house dust. Third, children might play with the mud and deliberately eat it (pica), or transfer the material inadvertently from hand to mouth."
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004AM/finalprogram/abstract_77118.htm

1. Cosmetics like hand creams contain very little mud and 2. the mud is non toxic. Perhaps they are just as cautious as I am, lol.

[Heidi_234]

I have absolutely no idea what this means, from the same link.
"Whatever the therapeutic benefits of the mud, our comparison of the elemental fingerprints of the consumer products with those of the field samples revealed one disturbing aspect: Dead Sea black mud should not be a significant component of such items as hand creams, body lotions, shampoo, and moisturizer."

I think it was a mistake, instead of "should not be" it should be "is not". Basically saying that any of the products marketed as containing dead sea mud actually contain just a small insignificant amount of it.
That's good to know, something not to waste our money on.

[ktani]

I think it was a mistake, instead of "should not be" it should be "is not". Basically saying that any of the products marketed as containing dead sea mud actually contain just a small insignificant amount of it.
That's good to know, something not to waste our money on.

You are probably right, given the research results. It is more than likely a language/typo problem. I can certainly relate to that, lol.

There results in 2004 are not unlike Health Canada's test results of some health food store supplements, years back and why Health Canada is now moving forward to regulate health products.

Various supplements like Siberian Ginseng were tested and surprise!, there was little to no ginseng in some products, at all.

[Sissy]

You are probably right, given the research results. It is more than likely a language/typo problem. I can certainly relate to that, lol.

There results in 2004 are not unlike Health Canada's test results of some health food store supplements, years back and why Health Canada is now moving forward to regulate health products.

Various supplements like Siberian Ginseng were tested and surprise!, there was little to no ginseng in some products, at all.

I think that's horrible! It makes me feel nervous about the many supplements I take. I would certainly be livid to know the money I'm spending on supplements (it's easy to walk into GNC and before you know it you have $50 of supplements in your hands) was being wasted on products that didn't even contain ingredients they claim too. I think supplements should be regulated. I know a lot of people think they shouldn't but come on it's a big $ industry now and so many people are looking towards supplements and more holistic medications so it really is becoming critical that they are regulated for purity and safety. Just my opinion though :o

[venividibxtchy]

I think that's horrible! It makes me feel nervous about the many supplements I take. I would certainly be livid to know the money I'm spending on supplements (it's easy to walk into GNC and before you know it you have $50 of supplements in your hands) was being wasted on products that didn't even contain ingredients they claim too. I think supplements should be regulated. I know a lot of people think they shouldn't but come on it's a big $ industry now and so many people are looking towards supplements and more holistic medications so it really is becoming critical that they are regulated for purity and safety. Just my opinion though :o

I agree with you.

This is one of the several reasons why I would rather make a shake myself, with whole ingredients, or consume a tablespoon or two of omega-3/6/9-rich oils rather than take a gamble with a supplement, and the possibility of whether I'll digest it properly.

[Sally2009]

i would totally avoid dead sea mud as the dead see is one of the most polluted water sources in the world. It is fed by the Tiber river, which is little more than sewerage by the time it has reached the Dead Sea. The extraction industries there are also causing the water levels to decrease. Now they are talking about refilling the Dead Sea with sea water from the mediterranean or the Red Sea - but the Dead Sea is not sea water, it is fresh water (although is has evaporated making it saline. Refilling the Dead Sea with sea water would be an ecological disaster. I have tried dead sea mud and it caused a skin infection. Use Rhassoul clay instea. Rhassoul is the purest clay in the world made by a volcano. [moderation: edited to remove commercial self-promotion]