Peat pulp bath

History

Paracelsus described "moor" as a remedy for certain diseases. Later, soldiers of Napoleon learnt about peat pulp and mud baths in Egypt and brought this knowledge to Europe. Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother gave command to erect the first health resort with peat applications for his troops after the Battle of Leipzig in Bad Nenndorf. However, an earlier peat pulp resort has been alleged to have existed in Bad Pyrmont in 1802. In the 19th century, peat pulp resorts have been founded in many European health resorts including Marienbad (1813), Franzensbad (1827), Karlsbad (1836) and Bad Aibling (1845).

Mechanism of action

The exact mechanism, by which balneotherapy with peat pulp unfolds beneficial effects, has not been fully clarified. Explanations include effects resulting from the contents of the applied peloids and thermal stress. It is assumed that therapeutic outcomes result from a combination of direct and indirect actions on the body. At the biochemical level, increased concentrations of β-endorphin, ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor-β have been observed. On the contrary, circulating levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α decrease after thermal mud therapy.

Evidence from clinical studies

Several clinical trials have analysed the efficiency of mud and peat pulp in a diverse area of diseases. Beneficial effects were observed in rheumatic and other musculoskeletal diseases, hypertension, infertility and diseases of the skin.

In plantar fasciitis, peloid and paraffin treatments had similar beneficial effects on pain and quality of life. In combination with heliotherapy liman peloid baths were effective in the treatment of psoriasis.

In a randomised controlled study including females with symptomatic osteoarthritis, peloid therapy was more effective than paraffin treatment. In subjects with tennis elbow and lower back pain peloid therapy was more effective than kinesio taping or home exercise, respectively.

Balneotherapy with peloids is assumed to be effective for certain chronic gynaecological diseases.

References

Additional reading

• Online textbook on Peat therapeutics and balneotherapy
• How Peloid Procedures Work and What They Are Made Of

References

1. (2013). "Peat Therapeutics and Balneotherapy". Textbook of Natural Medicine.
2. (January 2011). "Mechanisms of action of spa therapies in rheumatic diseases: what scientific evidence is there?". Rheumatology International.
3. (December 2021). "Efficacy of peloidotherapy in unilateral plantar fasciitis: A pilot study.". Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
4. (2003). "Balneotherapy in dermatology.". Dermatologic Therapy.
5. (October 2023). "Comparison of the short-term efficacy of peloid and paraffin treatments on pain and quality of life in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled study.". International Journal of Biometeorology.
6. (July 2020). "Efficacy of combined liman peloid baths and heliotherapy in the treatment of psoriasis at Cervia spa, Emilia, Italy.". International Journal of Biometeorology.
7. (August 2022). "Comparison of the effectiveness of peloid and paraffin treatment for symptomatic hand osteoarthritis in women: a single-blind randomized controlled study.". International Journal of Biometeorology.
8. (April 2022). "Comparison of the effectiveness of peloid therapy and kinesio taping in tennis elbow patients: a single-blind controlled study.". International Journal of Biometeorology.
9. (November 2021). "Effectiveness of peloid therapy in patients with chronic low back pain: a single-blind controlled study.". International Journal of Biometeorology.
10. (October 1973). "[Mud therapy for sterility due to autonomic and generative ovarian insufficiency].". Therapie der Gegenwart.
11. (20 July 1978). "[Mud therapy in gynecologic spas. Practice and indications].". Zeitschrift für Allgemeinmedizin.
12. (8 November 1979). "[Balneo-gynecology].". Fortschritte der Medizin.
13. (1 February 2021). "Balneogynaecology in the 21st century: increasingly recommended primary and complementary treatment of chronic gynaecological diseases". Medicinski Glasnik.