Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Study of the liquid phase of peloids prepared
with mineral waters from balneario de
Lanjarón (Granada, Spain)
Fernández-González M (1) , Martín J (1) , Maraver F (2) , Delgado G (1) ,
Párrafa J (1) , Márquez R (3) , Delgado R (1)
(1) Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Farmacia,
Universidad de Granada, Spain
(2) Departamento de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación. Hidrología Médica. Facultad
De Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
(3) Centro de Instrumentación Científica. Facultad de Farmacia.
Universidad de Granada, Spain
mvirginiafernandez@ugr.es
Introduction and Objectives
The use of muds for therapeutic purposes (Peloids) and derived therapy
(Pelotherapy), for being ancient and effectiveness universally recognized, has
generated great interest in the international scientific community, especially in the
last five years, thanks to the benefits it makes in the health field. Together with
Balneotherapy is a preventive and curative method, that contributes in the treatment
of diseases of the musculoskeletal system fundamentally, rheumatic and dermatological
diseases, chronic diseases and for use in the elderly who see diminished
symptoms associated with these diseases and, therefore, decreases the required dose
of drug administration (Bellometti et al., 2005; Nogueira et al., 2007; Forestier et
al., 2010; Fioravanti et al, 2011; Fraioli et al., 2011).
Materials and Methods
The peloids are pasta composed of a solid phase, mixture of various minerals,
mainly of phyllosilicates, with organic substances - as a result of the biological
activity of flora and microorganisms - and mineral water, sea or salt lake. The
peloids need a period of contact between both phases called \"maturation\", necessary
to improve and stabilize the therapeutic properties of those, generally ranging
from two to six months (Galzigna et al., 1996) and two years (Gámiz et la., 2009;
Veniale et al., 2004).
Results
The water forming the peloid influence the chemistry of the mixture, through
their pH, salinity, and the retention or release of ions between the two phases (solid
and liquid). This water brings to the peloid some trace elements (iron, sulfide, etc.)
which are responsible of its effects. The type of mineral water and the minerals used
Balnea 389
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4
2012, núm. 6, 389-390