Mud baths are not for everyone but this wellness trend has stood the test of time and has been around since the days of Queen Cleopatra.
There are natural mud baths where you can dip yourself in mineral-rich mud containing sulphur, zinc, magnesium and bromine directly from the earth or you can enjoy the treatment in modern form as a rasul treatment at a spa or resorts.
A rasul treatment is a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual with health benefits using mud, steam and heat to cleanse and relax the skin, body and mind
As a treatment, mud baths are believed to be therapeutic for the skin muscles, joints and mind. The treatment is known to draw out impurities from the skin, exfoliate dead skin cells, relax sore muscles and joints, improve skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis and also relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
Though it might not seem exciting to take off your clothes and dip into mud, the mud is warm and winter and spring are the best time for wellness travel and taking care of your body. H
Here are three destinations where you can enjoy a natural mud bath and three places to enjoy a rasul treatment in SA.
Ginkgo Luxury Spa at Arniston Hotel & Houw Hoek Hotel
For those in the Western Cape looking to explore the benefits of a mud bath or rasul treatment, there is a Gingko Luxury Spa offering rasul at the Arniston Spa Hotel in Overberg and the Houw Hoek Hotel in Grabouw.
Both hotels offer the rasul thermal mud cleansing treatment. The treatment combines the health-enhancing properties of heat, steam and mud for a totally relaxing and skin-conditioning treatment in a magical and sensory private environment with twinkling lights and aromatic vapours.
The rasul is a special room heated by steam and can accommodate up to four people. The process is self-application as there are no spa therapists required for this treatment so once you have applied the therapeutic mud, you are left to drift into a state of deep relaxation.
The experience is a lovely addition to a spa couple treat when you include a massage after your rasul. Treatment time is 45 minutes and prices start from R400 to R850.
Middle Eastern Rasul Chamber at Renaissance Spa Sandton
According to the Renaissance Spa in Sandton at the Michelango Towers, their rasul treatment is based on the traditional Turkish bath and this self-exfoliating and cleansing ritual uses pure natural earth mud to cleanse and detoxify the body.
It also combines herb-infused steam to open pores and draw out impurities and to complete the ceremony, a tropical rain shower will wash away the mud providing an all-over cleansing, detoxifying and rejuvenating experience.
The rasul chamber can accommodate up to three or four people at a time. You can also add other treatments variety of massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures and signature treatments to complement your treatment at the spa.
The rasul treatment starts from R20.
Besties Package at Fordoun Spa Midlands
Fordoun Spa is in the heart of Nottingham Road, Midlands Meander and boasts a team of experts that include skilled masseuses, reiki and bio-energy specialists, a traditional African healer and highly trained aestheticians.
The spa also offers rasul, a Turkish steam and clay treatment room, a saline floatation pool, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a steam room, hydrotherapy, and two couple’s treatment suites with hydrotherapy baths.
The rasul treatment is included in some of the spa packages.
The besties package with the treatment features a one night’s stay including breakfast, q three-course dinner, rasul clay and steam experience described as a stimulating ceremony of Zulu clay and steam, a 60-minute signature Ndlovu massage, 25-minute Phumuza Ikhanda (head massage), 60-minute spa manicure or spa pedicure and a floatation session.
The experience starts from R4 270 a person.
Dalyan Mud Baths at Muğla, Turkey
For those looking for an out-of-country experience, The Dalyan Mud Baths in Mugla Turkey offer a unique wellness experience set against the backdrop of scenic beauty and ancient history.
The mud used is sourced from the nearby Dalyan River is enriched with minerals, and is known for helping with skin and overall well-being.
Visitors often immerse themselves in the mud, allowing the natural elements to cleanse and refresh their skin. Here, you’ll see a lot of traditional mud application.
This means visitors help each other apply the mud, creating a social and friendly atmosphere that adds to the charm of the mud bath ritual.
An experience of Mugler with a tour operator and other activities starts from R854 a person.
Hell’s Gate at Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Another top destination for experiencing a natural mud bath is Hell’s Gate at the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. Though the name might sound scary, Hell’s Gate is a beautiful geothermal attraction, known for its otherworldly landscapes and unique mud baths.
The mud in Hell’s Gate is packed full of sulphur. What makes it unique is Tikitere, also known as the “Wai Ora Spa”, this area is home to the Kakahi Falls and the Ora Roimata (Maori for “healing tears”) hot pool, adding to the variety of geothermal features.
It’s also one of the most culturally significant locations for the local Maori people and visitors can go on guided tours to learn more about the history of these outdoor mud baths. It costs R933.08 (85NZD) a person.
Sulphur Springs St Lucia Mud Baths at Malgretoute, Saint Lucia
Finally, Sulphur Springs in St Lucia is home to one of the world’s best mud baths, offering a distinctive wellness experience amid the island’s lush landscapes and geothermal wonders.
The mud in Sulphur Springs is infused with natural sulphur, a mineral recognised for its potential skincare benefits – especially exfoliation.
While it’s great for your skin, sulphur is a smelly mineral. Coupled with the results of volcanic activity, this mud bath becomes a wellness experience that you shouldn’t do if you’re feeling queasy.
A visit to the springs costs R198.65 for an adult.