All the secrets of the hot springs

The thermal water comes from the interior of the earth, which gives it a high mineral content and an increase in temperature. That is why this water has such special characteristics. But how are these waters created? The rain penetrates the earth in cracks and faults that, when entering the depth, are heated naturally thanks to the magmatic space. It is as if it were a true infusion of the elements that that land will contain. Depending on the land where it comes from, it will contain one or the other minerals, in addition to CO2, and these will be the ones that provide the benefits of thermal waters for health and different therapeutic uses. Being a deep water, it has also been filtered and makes it extremely pure from bacteria and other contaminants. In fact, the World Health Organization has recognized the use of hot springs as medical therapies since 1986.

TYPES OF THERMAL WATERS

Magmatic: they are over 50ºC and are more mineralized, especially with nitrogen, boron, arsenic, bromine, phosphorus or copper.

Telluric: They are at a lower temperature than the first ones and contain salts, bicarbonate and chlorides. Within this classification, in turn, we can classify them again depending on the temperature of the water, for example, cold waters are those that are less than 20ºC. If the temperature is between 20ºC and 35ºC they are hypothermal waters. Between 35ºC and 45ºC, mesothermal or hot waters. The hyperthermal waters are between 45ºC and 100ºC and, finally, we find the superthermal waters at 100ºC and 150ºC.

They can also be classified according to the amount of minerals:

Ferruginous waters: with a high iron content, which are ideal for iron deficiencies, skin problems and diets to lose weight, since they are toning. Improvement in deficiency and weakness states, especially when it is due to lack of iron, such as anemia or bleeding. It is also ideal for periods of convalescence. This water in contact with the air usually turns reddish.

Chlorinated waters: they are ideal for digestion, regulate the sebaceous secretion of the skin and are soothing in irritations and skin infections.

Sulfurous or sulphurous waters: with a high sulfur content, it is an acidic water and is recommended in skin treatments such as psoriasis, infections or other dermatitis. It is especially characterized by its strong smell of rotten eggs that sulfur gives it. The taste is slightly salty. This water usually contains sulfo-bacteria.

Carbonated waters: with CO2 content, sodium bicarbonate, calcium, chlorine or sulfur are ideal for gastric problems such as acidity. Low mineralization carbonated waters, if they are alkaline and cold, are usually drunk to improve gastric PH, stimulate pancreatic and diuretic secretion and help increase urine PH.

Fluoride waters: they are antiseptic.

With copper: they help the synthesis of collagen and keratin and have an important anti-inflammatory action.

Waters with zinc: it is one of the thermal waters with the best regenerative action for skin with excessive sebum and dandruff problems.

With calcium and magnesium: regenerative and natural protectors of the skin.

BENEFITS OF THERMAL WATER

The simple fact of bathing with water at a higher temperature has some benefits, for example, it stimulates oxygenation of the organism, improves blood circulation, helps to eliminate germs and toxins from the organism. Also, it stimulates the metabolism and the digestive system, improves relaxation and the production of endorphins. This increase in temperature helps the absorption of minerals through the skin, which activate the body; although we must not only think of hot springs at the bath level, but also inhaled or drinks.

The most desired actions of thermal waters in spas are the skin benefits and those that help to improve muscle, joint, bone pain and rheumatic problems. However, there are many benefits for different ailments, namely: • Rheumatism • Diseases such as diabetes, obesity • Gastrointestinal problems • Respiratory conditions such as asthma • Circulatory problems • Psychosomatic problems such as stress and lack of sleep • Chronic skin diseases, such as eczema , rosacea or psoriasis• Gynecological diseases• Purifying and detoxifying effects• Anti-inflammatory action

When we drink water, it provides the minerals that will be absorbed by the body and passed to the metabolism; And thus, these minerals act in the different processes and their therapeutic action on the body.

In the face of rheumatism and joint pain, such as arthritis, it acts in two ways: the heat benefits muscle relaxation, in turn decreasing stiffness and improving mobility; on the other hand, the anti-inflammatory action will produce a decrease in pain.

In spas, the different ways of application will also play a very important role in their effectiveness. Thus, most people prefer baths.

In addition, thermal water is used by cosmetic laboratories to formulate their products, thus providing the benefits of this water since, for example, it helps to improve the balance of the skin. Currently, thermal water is of special relevance in some diets such as alkaline, in which the basic PH of the water is sought.

THE BEST SPAS

In Europe there are particularly particular and well-known places such as:

United KingdomThe spa of Bath is one of the best known, and the oldest dating back to 850 AD. by Prince Bladud, who healed his skin after bathing in its waters.

It has some special characteristics in that it is very rich in minerals, it contains more than 42 different minerals, sulfates, calcium and chlorites. The temperature is 33.5ºC and more than 1 million liters per day emerge.

AndorraAndorra has a lot of underground water, even the old houses in Andorra still have thermal water piped. In the parish of Escaldes-Engordany, there are hot sulfur springs with high temperatures. On the other hand, Caldea is a true therapeutic thermal center that shares the best of classic spas with the most modern spa treatments.

FranceIn this country, the cosmetic laboratories Avène, La Roche-Posay or Vichy are some firms that use the thermal water that bears their name in their products.

Avène: Discovered in 1736, it is ideal for dry and intolerant skin. The spray water is purely thermal water from the Avène spring with a high content of nitrogen, silicates and other trace elements. The pressure spray container makes it absolutely bacteriologically stable.

La Roche-Posay: This spring was discovered in 1617 and people of all ages come for its therapeutic properties.

Vichy: Perhaps one of the most important in France, with more than 12 different sources. Since the 16th century, it calms and prevents skin irritations. The Romans already used its beneficial properties, in fact Napoleon III, the Marquise de Sévigné or even Coco Chanel herself, already used Vichy water to care for their skin.