Visiting what is commonly known as the “lowest place on earth” is not necessarily a bad
thing. The Dead Sea is providing people with miraculous skin results from natural
ingredients.
Located in Jordan, the Dead Sea — also known as Sea of Salt — is a source of youth, as
it is widely believed that minerals and mud from the Dead Sea are therapeutic for the
body.
Malia Asfour, director for Jordan Tourism Board North America, says it is a big draw for
travellers who are looking for rest and relaxation.
“We have some incredible spas now in the Dead Sea area… A lot of them have mud wraps
using the minerals from the Dead Sea,” says Asfour. “They also have the regular massages, pools and tubs, but
I think what makes it unique is using the actual therapeutic Dead Sea minerals and mud, compared to anywhere
else you may go. It’s the natural resource.”
The Dead Sea — actually a salt lake— also has historical landmarks. There are biblical
sites on both sides of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River. The former is also the place where the Dead Sea
Scrolls were discovered, which are the oldest known biblical and extra-biblical texts.
As
for famous people who have visited the Dead Sea for treatment, it is believed that ancient historical figures
including Cleopatra and King Herod were among the people who have visited the Sea in search of the fountain
of youth.
As
for why exactly these waters are so mystical, it is mostly due to the concentration of oxygen that is higher
than anywhere else in the world. The name Dead Sea refers to the lack of living organisms in the water. The
Dead Sea water has a high density, making it virtually impossible for fish or any other sea creature to live
in the waters. As humans, we can float and relax in the water but it can be difficult to swim
around.
The Dead Sea is one of Jordan’s biggest tourist attractions. But for travellers, there
are many other wonders Jordan has to offer.
Another sea that is popular in Jordan is the Red Sea, which allows visitors to
participate in water sports including scuba diving. The properties near the Red Sea are surrounded by
mountains, which allow for breathtaking views.
The country’s capital, Amman, is a popular city for tourists. Visitors can find souks
(marketplaces), museums and cultural sites. For visitors who are interested in learning about the country’s
history, there are many archeological sites to be visited in Petra. The sacred city is carved into the side
of the mountains with monuments including the Treasury and the Monastery, two of the world’s most
recognizable ancient man-made creations.
In
Petra and Amman, visitors can also find relaxation at the spas that provide treatments using minerals, salts
and mud from the Dead Sea. In addition, these spas offer Turkish baths. These baths are a type of cleansing
and relaxation treatment that allows a guest to have his or her entire body scrubbed and washed. The process
usually begins with the guest in a sauna, allowing the heat to open up pores and cleanse the body. The guest
is then gently splashed with cold water before being given a full body bath, complete with a massage. As the
entire process is a very personal experience, guests are encouraged to find their own level of comfort and
provided with towels to wear during the bath. They are given the option of wearing a swimsuit as
well.
In
addition to being renowned for a myriad of spas and available skin care options, Jordan has become known for
its medical tourism. Visitors can find dental work, plastic surgery and even fertility treatments to be a lot
less expensive compared to North America. Asfour notes, “In the U.S., it’s about $16,000 a try [for fertility
treatments]. About five years ago, it was about $3,000 USD in Jordan.”
Asfour, who has had close friends undergo the fertility treatments in Jordan, has even
found the treatments to be more successful. “It’s something to be looked at when you can offer relaxation and
fertility together. It kind of works,” she says.
Jordan’s highest travel seasons tend to be in the spring and fall. But Asfour says that
things are beginning to shift.
“Jordan is becoming a year-round destination… The winters are not as cold as they are in
[Canada]. It does snow and it does get very cold, below zero degrees but [only] for a little time. If it
snows, it usually lasts for about 24 or 48 hours. But in the southern part of Jordan, at the Red Sea or the
Dead Sea, it is always 10 degrees warmer and doesn’t really snow there,” she says.
For people who are unable to visit Jordan and the Dead Sea, they can still benefit from
the water’s healing powers.
“There are a lot of Dead Sea products that are coming out of there — bath salts,
cleansers, creams and mud to put on your body. It has a therapeutic element… its own healing powers,” says
Asfour.
These products can help with common skin issues, such as dry or oily skin, and improve
more complex skin issues, such as severe acne, psoriasis and eczema. Some Dead Sea products can also help
improve the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.
“The different companies have different variations of salt, mud, lotions, soaps and skin
treatments of all sorts. Each company has a variety of products they use from the Dead Sea for cosmetic
purposes,” says Asfour.
Whether travelling to Jordan for leisure, relaxation or healing, the country offers a
diversity that is unparalleled.
“I
recommend looking at really getting to know the people of Jordan, to really benefit from just letting it be
and experiencing what the country has to offer,” says Asfour.
The Dead Sea may be lifeless, but it is shedding new light on Jordan and the wonders of
nature. •
Photos by MBK Photography
