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
http://www.drweil.com/
