Thermal Rebirthing

Here are two types of thermal waters according to their geological origin, magmatic and telluric.

The type of terrain in which they appear is one of the main differences between the two: magmatic waters are born from metallic or eruptive seams, while telluric waters can appear anywhere. 

The temperature of magmatic waters is higher than that of telluric waters.

Magmatic water usually has temperatures above 50°C, while telluric water rarely does.

On the other hand, because telluric waters are filtered, they have less mineralisation than magmatic waters.

The elements most commonly found in magmatic waters are arsenic, boron, bromine, copper, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Telluric waters usually have bicarbonates, chlorides, lime salts and others.

An important characteristic of thermal waters is that they are ionised.

There are two types of ions, positive and negative.

Contrary to their name, positive ions do not bring benefits to the human body, and on the contrary, they are irritating.

Negative ions, on the other hand, have the ability to relax the body.

Hot springs are charged with negative ions.

Effects of thermal water on the human body

The hot, mineralised water of «hot springs» has different effects on the human body.

Some authors divide them into three, biological, physical and chemical, although in reality they all act at the same time.

Bathing in hot springs increases the temperature of the body, killing germs, including viruses, and also increases the hydrostatic pressure of the body, thus increasing blood circulation and oxygenation.

This increase in temperature helps to dissolve and eliminate toxins from the body.

By increasing oxygenation, bathing in hot springs improves the nutrition of the body’s tissues in general, thus increasing metabolism, while stimulating the secretions of the digestive tract and liver, thus aiding digestion.

Repeated bathing (especially over periods of 3 to 4 weeks) can help normalise the functions of the endocrine glands, as well as the overall functioning of the body’s autonomic nervous system.

There is also an improvement and stimulation of the immune system, mental relaxation, endorphin production and regulation of glandular functions.

Many of these effects are due to the body’s consumption of minerals such as carbon dioxide, sulphur, calcium and magnesium.

There are skin diseases that can be markedly improved by bathing in hot springs (especially if they contain sulphur).

The diseases that benefit most are psoriasis, dermatitis and fungal diseases.

Sometimes they also help in the healing of wounds and other skin lesions.

This action is sometimes attributed to «sulphobacteria» (an organism isolated by the «International Society of Hydrological Medicine» to explain the effects of the «intangible elements» of thermal waters.

Not too many years ago, a micro-organism was isolated – at the «International Society of Hydrological Medicine» – studying precisely what is called the «intangible elements» of thermal waters.

The isolated organism belongs to what is nowadays called «sulphobacteria».

It has been described that this group of micro-organisms helps the human body by improving the skin’s defence system against all kinds of aggressions.

In the same way, they help to slow down the ageing process of this organ.

In summary, the chronic diseases that benefit from the use of balneotherapy, according to research by Dr. Yuko Agishi, are:

Chronic rheumatic diseases

Functional recovery from central and peripheral neuroparalysis.

some metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and gout

Chronic gastrointestinal problems

Mild respiratory diseases

Circulation problems

Chronic skin diseases

stress-related and other psychosomatic illnesses

After-effects of trauma

Chronic gynaecological diseases.

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