Therapeutic muds are unique natural formations that have been used in the treatment of a variety of diseases several centuries ago. Scientifically, therapeutic mud is called peloids, and the method of mud treatment is peloidotherapy (mud therapy, fangotherapy).
Peloids are the sediments of various water bodies, peat bog sediments, mud volcano eruptions and other formations formed as a result of many years of natural processes - climatic, biological, geological, etc.
Therapeutic properties and application of mud
Therapeutic muds are, mainly, plastic masses, which have a homogeneity and consist of water, mineral and organic substances. Their formation occurs under the influence of microorganisms, as a result of which peloids are enriched with nutrient components (compounds of nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, iron, etc.), most of which exhibit high therapeutic activity. In addition, therapeutic mud contain various enzymes, hormones, vitamins and even natural antibiotics.
Therapeutic mud has the following effects on the body:
- increase in temperature of the treated tissues;
- activation of metabolic processes;
- improvement of blood circulation;
- improvement of tissue respiration;
- increased heart rate and breathing;
- increased sweating;
- increased urinary function;
- control of inflammatory processes of internal organs;
- elimination of pathogenic microorganisms and poisonous substances;
- stimulation of protective reactions of the body;
- healing of superficial injuries;
- decrease in acidity of gastric juice, etc.
Therapeutic mud is used:
- for patients with joints and bones;
- with gynecological and dermatological diseases;
- at pathologies of ENT organs;
- with eye diseases;
- with neuritis of different etiology, etc.
Types of mud
Therapeutic mud is divided into several varieties depending on the origin.
Sulphide-mud mud
These are silt sediments of coastal and continental saline lakes, marine and oceanic bays, and lake-key reservoirs fed by underground mineral waters. These muds are poor in organic matter, but contain many minerals, as well as components such as hydrogen sulphide, methane and carbon dioxide.
Peat mud
Marsh sediments containing a large number of organic substances, as well as humic and biologically active substances. Such dirt forms when plants decompose without the participation of air.
Sapropelic medical mud
Bottom sediments of fresh water bodies formed on the basis of silt of organic origin, as well as microscopic plants and animals.
Sopochnaya medical mud
It represents lubin formations from places of oil and gas deposits extracted from mud volcanoes.
How to use medical mud?
Therapeutic mud is used as an independent tool, and also as a basis for creating medicines. There are many methods of mud treatment, in which therapeutic mud is used:
- for mud baths;
- general and local applications;
- for vaginal and rectal tampons;
- simultaneous exposure to dirt and electric current, etc.
Healing mud - contraindications
The use of therapeutic mud is prohibited:
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- with the active stage of tuberculosis ;
- with tumors;
- with serious cardiac pathologies;
- when the body is exhausted.
Mud treatment is also contraindicated in case of increased body temperature and in the presence of any bleeding.