The Hot Springs Mineral Content
The legal classification of a mineral spring varies in different parts of the world. Generally speaking: A mineral spring contains greater than 1000 mg/l ( PPM ) of naturally dissolved solids.
Geothermal studies have established that different native mineral springs have unique chemical compositions.
- Lithium: waters from the Lithia springs relieve depression and aid digestion
- Iron: waters rich in iron benefit the blood and immune system
- Soda: steam waters rich in soda promote tranquility and relieve digestive problems
- Arsenic: While arsenic in larger doses is toxic in the human body, minute amounts may assist the body with plasma and tissue growth. Foot bathing in mineral waters with a high content of arsenic is used to address fungal conditions of the feet. arsenic is believed to improve skin conditions, arthritis and gastric ulcers.
- Boron: Boron builds muscle mass, increases brain activity and strengthens bones.
- Magnesium: Magnesium converts blood sugar to energy and promotes healthy skin.
- Potassium: Potassium assists in the normalization of heart rhythms, assists in reducing high blood pressure, helps to eliminate body toxins and promotes healthy skin.
- Sodium: Sodium and natural salts assist with the alleviation of arthritic symptoms, and may stimulate the body's lymphatic system when used in baths.
- Alkaline water that is high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium may assist the body in cleansing through the skin.
Sulfur and Sulfates:
Hot Springs rich in Sulfur, in Europe and Asia, are used to address a wide variety of conditions, including skin infections, respiratory problems, and skin inflammations.Hot springs rich in sulfates ( i.e. sulfur compounds ) have a far reduced "sulfur" effect as compared to Sulfur-rich springs. Such waters are often prescribed internally for liver and gastrointestinal conditions, as well as for some respiratory conditions with inhalation therapy, in European spas.
Chlorides:
Saline hot springs are rich in sodium chloride. Mineral springs naturally rich in chlorides, in amounts between .5 - 3%, are considered by some researchers to be beneficial for rheumatic conditions, arthritis, central nervous system conditions, posttraumatic and postoperative disorders, as well as orthopedic and gynecological disease.
Bicarbonate:
In Spain, a bicarbonate water is classified as such if the water contains more than 250 PPM of free carbon gas. However, springs that contain bicarbonate gasses ( sodium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate, carbon dioxide, etc. ) may also be utilized for the observed benefits commonly associated with bicarbonate hot springs. |
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Bathing in bicarbonate water, the balneologists believe, assist in opening peripheral blood vessels and helps to improve circulation to the body's extremities.
European balneotherapists also utilize bicarbonate waters for bathing to address hypertension and mild atherosclerosis. For these conditions, tepid to warm baths are utilized (30 - 37° C).
Some researchers believe that bicarbonate baths also assist cardiovascular disease and nervous system imbalances.
Mineral adsorption via hot springs soaking is extremely small, and the amount adsorbed into the body is concentration dependent and varies depending on the mineral and its chemical form. Even so, medical balneotherapists have noted that even minute amounts of therapeutic minerals adsorbed into the body via the skin have a significant therapeutic value.
The ion exchange capacity of hot springs mineral waters also influences mineral and water adsorption, and is defined by the ionic dissociation of the minerals in the water. A higher free ion content equates to a greater ion exchange capacity. In short, the osmotic qualities, the mineral concentration, the PH level, and the mineral form effect the transdermal carrier effects of any mineral waters, as well as the fluid conditions of the individual soaking.
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