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Mineral Baths
Mineral baths are pleasant, relaxing and
health-enhancing, in part due to their
stress-relieving properties. A centuries old tradition
in Europe and Japan, hot springs therapy is a widely
accepted and popular treatment for musculoskeletal
problems, as well as for high blood pressure, eczema
and a variety of other complaints.
The various minerals dissolved in hot springs have
been credited with specific (but unproved) health
benefits. For instance:
Sulfur is said to relieve nasal congestion
Calcium and sodium bicarbonate are said to enhance
circulation
Salt water is supposed to improve digestion.
In addition, studies have suggested that soaking in a
hot mineral spring can lessen the pain of arthritis,
and relieve the pain and lessen the fatigue associated
with fibromyalgia.
When visiting a hot spring, look for one in a natural
outdoor setting where the water hasn't been treated
(with chlorine, for example). Also be aware that some
waters have a high mineral content that can irritate
the skin, especially if you have a cut or open sore.
Hydrogen sulfide, the gas that gives some hot springs
a rotten-egg smell, is toxic but rarely present in
high enough concentrations to be a concern (although
it will blacken silver jewelry).
If you’re going to bathe in a natural hot mineral
spring, never put your head under water. A
free-swimming amoeba called naegleria that lives in
many hot springs can enter the body through the nose
and can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis
(PAM), a very serious, potentially deadly infection of
the brain. Pregnant women should also be cautious in
their use of hot springs, particularly during the
first trimester, to prevent the risks of neural-tube
defects.
By Dr. Andrew Weil
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