Mud baths and other mud treatments it’s perfect fun for our body.
As a kid, I often heard my mom’s warnings, and I assume you did too, not to get covered in mud while playing in the yard. I never understood whether there was some deeper threat in it, or if my mom just didn’t want to wash everything I had on when I came home.
Now, as an adult, I frequently hear that mud is actually good for you. Moreover, there’s typically an attempt to sell me mud masks or entire mud therapies for a hefty sum, promising to improve my health and well-being. So, was my mom wrong in not allowing me to plunge into every puddle I encountered? Well, mud, it seems, is not all the same.
Healthy mud and its types
The mud used in therapies and therapeutic processes is called peloid and differs significantly from the mud that irritates us in front of our homes when it rains. Scientists and therapists specializing in the use of mud for therapeutic purposes have developed a classification of mud and created several groups to which this mud can be assigned.
The classification depends primarily on the place of origin, mineral composition, temperature, pH level, and many other less obvious values.
The most popular therapeutic muds include:
- Peat peloids, commonly known as mud packs;This is a type of peat processed by a specific type of bacteria. It is a very popular mud that is often encountered in Poland.
- Sediments from poorly mineralized waters; These are typically mud deposits from lakes and ponds.
- Sediments from mineralized waters; These are marine sediments, although they can also come from salty lakes.
- Spring sediments; As the name suggests, these are muds and sediments found in the immediate vicinity of mineral springs of freshwater. These springs are frequently thermal waters with a high sulphur content.
- Inorganic peloids; These are substances derived from clays, mud, chalk, and other minerals of inorganic origin.
In addition to the above, there are other types of peloids, but they are extremely rare.
Mud baths and other therapies that bring youth and health
Ancient civilizations were well aware of the value of mineral substances and appreciated their beneficial effects on health. In the famous Corpus Hippocraticum, a collection of medical writings by Hippocrates, one can read:
“Bodies of people resting in certain muds seem to become healthier and gain strength.”
— Hippocrates
Mud wraps, massages, herbal medicine, avoidance of harmful foods, and hygiene laid the foundations for today’s modern medicine.
Of course, mud and other substances were sought not only for medical purposes but also for aesthetic ones. Many legends and myths tell of great rulers and their fondness for baths in various extravagant substances. One legend suggests that Alexander the Great enjoyed visiting the area of present-day Fethiye in Turkey, where he indulged in mud baths in hot sulphur springs. He believed that this practice kept him strong and healthy as ever.
Mud baths were also used in Ancient Egypt, Persia, and at the courts of Asian rulers. In ancient Chinese records, it is noted that Emperor Liu Hong, who ruled in the 2nd century BCE, ordered the import of mud from the distant Nepal, specifically from the Narayani River. In such quantity that it filled a lake adjacent to the palace. Legends claim that thanks to magical mud baths, the emperor lived for over 170 years.
Over the centuries, various treatments and therapies involving mud have been devised. Mud obtained from various sources is sifted, purified, ground, heated, or cooled. It is often mixed with various substances, sometimes fragrant ones, completely transforming its original form. In one spa we visited, mud from San Pedro del Pinatar in Spain was mixed with chocolate and applied to the skin in that form.
To be honest, after undergoing several treatments, I didn’t notice any additional benefits for myself, except perhaps for the incredible relaxation one experiences when immersed in warm and gentle mud. The reason may be that I am generally a healthy individual without serious health issues. Perhaps people with health problems would derive much more from such therapies.
Dead Sea mud and other health muds
Arguably the most famous location for obtaining mud for medical purposes and cosmetic treatments is the Dead Sea. It is essentially a large lake located on the border of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, renowned for its extremely mineral-rich sediments that accumulate at its bottom.
Mud from the Dead Sea is manually extracted and sun-dried. Initially, the mud is black and viscous, but during the drying process, it changes colour to brown, after which it is crushed and ground into a fine powder. This prepared product is then used in various creams, exfoliants, and is also employed in mud baths at many luxury spa resorts worldwide.
Another well-known place is the saline lagoon of Mar Menor in San Pedro del Pinatar, where enthusiasts of mud baths from all over Europe, and supposedly the world, gather. The expansive area forming the Mar Menor lagoon covers over 170 square kilometres and is filled with warm and extremely salty water. As a result, the place is often referred to as the largest swimming pool in the world. Swimming in this body of water is pure pleasure; the water is warm (with summer temperatures often exceeding 32 degrees Celsius), and the high salt content makes swimming easy and enjoyable.
The extraordinary properties of the mud from San Pedro del Pinatar have been documented since medieval times. Allegedly, mud baths help alleviate conditions such as rheumatism, chronic joint diseases, and skin disorders. Honestly speaking, I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to smear myself with mud because I don’t currently have the mentioned issues. However, as soon as they arise, I will definitely come back.
Another place worth recommending to enthusiasts of therapeutic baths is the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. It is one of the most popular attractions in this part of the country, as well as a famous spa that attracts tourists from around the world.
The renowned Blue Lagoon is known for its mud and waters rich in silica, sulphur, and various mineral salts. The water also contains unique algae and other microorganisms not found anywhere else, which have been cultivated and harvested for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes for years. In many reputable publications, the water from the Blue Lagoon is considered extremely effective in treating various diseases and rejuvenating the body.
Bathing in the Blue Lagoon is very enjoyable, as the water temperature ranges from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius, and the therapeutic mud is available to everyone for free! You just need to reach down to the bottom of the pool or along its edges and apply what you find. As an interesting fact, I can add that in 2012, National Geographic recognized the Blue Lagoon as one of the 25 wonders of the modern world.
One of the most unusual places to enjoy mud baths is the mud volcanoes of Gobustan in Azerbaijan. They are located just 60 kilometres from Baku, the capital of the country. The mud that emerges from these volcanoes is cool and renowned for its extraordinary properties. Natural gases draw mud from the depths of the earth and literally eject it onto the surface.
The volcanic cones in Azerbaijan do not resemble the large and dangerous volcanoes seen in disaster movies. They are no more than a few meters high, and there are many of them in the entire area. Just remember that there is no water nearby for cleaning up after a mud bath, so you’ll need to bring everything necessary to freshen up.
By the way, when you’re in the area, don’t forget to visit the Gobustan National Park, where several thousand petroglyphs dating back thousands of years have been discovered. This park is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and it would be a true shame not to visit it.
The Sultaniye hot springs in Turkey are a renowned bathing spot and a destination for mud bath enthusiasts from around the world. This location has been recognized as a spa since ancient times, with the Romans constructing thermal pools for their warriors. The water temperature from the local springs ranges between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius, and the extracted mud is renowned for its health-promoting properties, aiding in the treatment of musculoskeletal, dermatological, and gynaecological issues.
Scientists have discovered an exceptionally high concentration of radon in the waters here. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless noble radioactive gas. In the Sultaniye mud, it exists in a form that is harmless to human health, but is present at a level significant enough to have a beneficial impact on certain ailments. Of course, prolonged and repeated contact with this compound can be harmful to our health.
There are many places around the world that offer therapeutic mud and waters, attracting tourists seeking health benefits and relaxation. Some of the more well-known ones include Bath in England, the Roman city known for its ancient baths, Baden-Baden in Germany, Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, Piestany in Slovakia, and Druskininkai in Lithuania.
Mud baths and peat mud treatments
Mud baths are a type of therapeutic bath where the mud is gradually heated to a fairly high temperature. Thanks to the gradual increase in temperature, the person undergoing the therapy does not experience a sudden sensation of heat.
Mud therapy is a highly popular treatment in Polish wellness centres, various spas, and is offered to patients in sanatoriums and health resorts. It is also applied with positive results in beauty salons and physiotherapy practices.
Interestingly, there’s no need to visit expensive wellness centres to benefit from the therapeutic properties of mud. Mud packs are available on the market, allowing individuals to enjoy the beneficial effects of mud therapy in the comfort of their homes.
Mud baths are not for everyone
Before smearing yourself with mud or immersing in a mud-filled bath, you should check if there are any contraindications, as mud baths are not suitable for everyone.
Despite the beneficial effects of mud baths on the skin, there are risks associated with their use. You should avoid indulging in mud activities if you have or recently had tuberculosis, cancer, or have experienced a bone fracture or other injury.
Additionally, mud baths are not recommended for individuals with hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and respiratory or digestive system disorders.
Interesting facts about mud and mud baths
- Roman dignitaries undertook extensive journeys to benefit from the healing properties of therapeutic mud.
- In the early 20th century, people became fascinated with radiation. Following the discovery of radioactive radium by Marie Skłodowska-Curie, numerous spas emerged, offering baths in irradiated mud. It was believed to provide relief to the sick, impart strength, and rejuvenate. In the United Kingdom and the United States, many hotels offered radioactive baths, massages, and even inhalation of radioactive vapours.
- Ageing is an inevitable process, and there is little we can do to prevent it. However, throughout the centuries, people have employed various methods to prolong youth and vitality. Cleopatra bathed in milk, and Empress Catherine ordered the application of not only animal sperm but also human sperm for rejuvenation. Perhaps the most shocking methods were employed by the infamous Hungarian aristocrat Elizabeth Báthory, known as the Blood Countess. Legends claim that she bathed in the blood of virgins, which she personally let.
- Mud baths are not just a human invention. Many animals, including wild boars, elephants, hippos, and various primates, regularly indulge in mud baths.
- Mud has always been a crucial part of human existence. It sealed the first primitive shelters, and over time, people learned to make mud bricks. Mud has numerous applications, and did you know that in many places worldwide, competitions are organized where mud plays a significant role? An example is dog sled racing, which takes place in the Murcki forests as part of the Polish Cup and the ESDRA European Cup. The muddied terrains of the local forests are the main attraction for the brave dogs.
- In Pakistan, the national sport for centuries has been mud wrestling. Instead of taking place on a mat, these wrestling matches occur in the mud.
- Mud serves as an excellent preservative. In Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, the ruins of an ancient port were discovered, swallowed by muddy marshes fifteen centuries ago. The well-preserved structures of the former port, along with furniture and many other valuable artefacts, were found. The most significant discovery, however, was the dozens of ships that survived to our times in perfect condition, along with the goods they carried on board.
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