Natural Mud Bath & Sauna in Costa Rica
For great skin and a wholesome natural adventure, get yourself over to the Mud Bath and Natural Sauna Center inside the Botanical Gardens at Blue River Resort & Hot Springs, one our more popular amenities. The mud, sourced near Rincon de la Vieja, contains healing and relaxing mineral properties sought the world-over. Begin your treatment inside a special natural sauna where 60-degree centigrade water flows all around to create steam. Then comes the mud bathing, an age defying secret that is all natural, relieves tension; promotes detoxification; and alleviates inflammation.
The Mud Bathing and Natural Sauna Centre is a serene location surrounded by the beauty of the botanical gardens, between two creeks; on one side is a hot springs creek; on the other, a freshwater creek. It’s an amazing oasis. Of course, there will be that odorous mud to contend with, caused by the all-important sulfur content. Adults and kids will have a great time, completely immersed in the fun and the results. Such an experience is only available here, in Costa Rica near, “Rincon de la Vieja”.
Step 1: Natural Sauna
Spend time in the cave, our natural sauna. Built over the hot spring’s creek, the hot springs are captured to create steam in the sauna. This is the most natural, environmentally friendly way possible!The temperature of the hot springs bubbling up is 60°C (140° Fahrenheit). In a few minutes the steam will open your pores and allow your cares to melt away. The mineral infused steam cleanses the skin and invites tranquility into your being.
Step 2: Mud Bath
Applying the mud takes place between the two creeks. Don’t be put off by the mud’s odor created by the sodium chloride, sulfur, hydrogen, bromide, and fluoride. You will be applying silica-rich geothermal mud from the volcano Rincon de la Vieja. The mud is thin, slippery, and free of impurities. Many become child-like at this time, rubbing, twisting slowly, helping their partner gently apply mud to the face.
When finished, sit and relax somewhere. Be patient as the mud dries. Most people report this as an odd sensation as the drying mud cracks on the surface of the skin.
Just before the mud is complexly dry, wash off under the shower and then soak in the refreshing freshwater creek. Once the mud is rinsed off, the skin not onlyfeels great, but it’s also exfoliated, tight and refreshed.
Why Mud?
Mud bathing is also called fangotherapy, defined as treatments that involve mud for the purpose of healing. The mud used also contains clay and peat. Fangotherapy became popular in the early eighteen-hundreds in Europe where, it was, and still is, used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal and skin conditions. Besides increased circulation, there is a therapeutic effect that aids in a variety of skin disorders, and many believe, other ailments.
About the Minerals in Mud Bathing
The organic substances that make up2–4 percent of mud, plays an important role in mud bathing’s therapeutic use. Mud from each source can be slightly different too. The mud doesn’t just soften skin’s texture, minerals in the mud get absorbed into the skin (though evidence for this is inconclusive).
Arriving at the mud bath often accompanies a strong odor. The smell comes from the sulfur content, which is considered the most important component and occurs naturally in proximity to volcanoes and hot springs, like Rincon de la Vieja. For example, sulfur baths are used as a means of reducing oxidative stress on the body and decreasing inflammation. Sulfur is used to treat fungal infections, scabies, psoriasis, eczema, acne and exerts beneficial anti-inflammation.
Clay in mud bathing is sourced from around areas with hot springs due to the usually high mineral content in these areas. When moist (wet) clay is a smooth and creamy consistency. After applying on the skin, clay becomes highly absorbent as it dries, drawing out impurities and moisture from the surface. By permitting it to dry, only slightly, aids in the natural exfoliation and improve skin texture.
The other important component in the mud bathing experience is the peat, which helps normalize the pH of skin, strengthen the barrier function of the stratum corneum, decrease transdermal water loss, and normalize sebum flow. Whether your skin is normal, dry or oily, his peat provides fantastic therapeutic value.
Try the Mud Bath and Natural Sauna at Blue River Resort & Hot Springs and you too,will be touting the benefits of playing in the mud. A Mud Bath is believed to be the famous elixir of beauty, making us feel ten years younger. It is the equivalent of a high-class spa treatment, courtesy of nature along the north side of Rincon de la Vieja, Costa RicaWe’ll even sell you our mud for home use inside the lobby at theSpa.
