SpringerLink
Log in

Salt Mineral Water and Thalassotherapy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Minerals latu sensu and Human Health

  • 499 Accesses

Abstract

Thalassotherapy, actually defined as the combined use of the preventive and therapeutic purposes of seawater and sea-derived products under counseling and medical supervision inside the adequate facilities of establishments located nearby the sea, has deserved the interest of many researchers. The chapter reports the historical foregoing, the concepts, the physical and chemical properties, and the application methods of seawater and of its derived products (mud, sand, algae, salt, aerosols, etc.) for therapeutic purposes. Human health benefits provided by thalassotherapy result from the minerals, either dissolved in seawater or participating in the chemical composition of sea-derived products: mud, sand, salt, and marine aerosol. Thalassotherapy is one of the main byproducts of health and wellness tourism programs that comprise healthy activities such as thermalism/crenotherapy, mudtherapy/pelotherapy, psammotherapy or arenotherapy, halotherapy, and climatotherapy. The therapeutic effects of seawater and sea-derived products and methods, such as halotherapy, hydrohalotherapy, hydrohalotheray, plus mudtherapy, as well as legislation, accreditation, and certification of thalasso centers, are dealt with too.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
EUR 29.95
Price includes VAT (Germany)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
EUR 149.79
Price includes VAT (Germany)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
EUR 192.59
Price includes VAT (Germany)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
EUR 192.59
Price includes VAT (Germany)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu-Shakra M, Mayer A, Friger M, Harari M (2014) Dead Sea mud packs for chronic low back pain. Isr Med Assoc J 16:574–577

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberola J, Coll F (2013) Marine therapy and its healing properties. Curr Aging Sci 6(1):63–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barra A, Mato MM, Gómez CP, Mourelle ML, Legido JL (2017) Propiedades termofísicas de mezclas de bentonita com água hipersalina para usos en talassoterapia. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 151–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonsignori F (2011) La Talassoterapia. Cure e benessere alle terme marine e al mare. ETS, Pisa

    Google Scholar 

  • Burkett L (2007) Medical Tourism: Concerns, benefits, and the Americal Legal Perspective. J Legal Med 28(2):223–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso Gomes JH (2015) Propriedades de lamas de salinas de Aveiro tendo em vista aplicações dermoterapêuticas e dermocosméticas. Dissertação de PhD, Universidade de Aveiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Carretero MI, Pozo M, Martin-Rubí JÁ, Pozo E, Maraver F (2010) Mobility of elements in interaction between artificial sweat and peloids used in Spanish spas. Appl Clay Sci 48:506–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casás LM, Legido JL, Pozo M, Mourelle L, Plantier F, Bessieres D (2011) Specific heat of mixtures of bentonitic clay with seawater or distilled water for their use in thermotherapy. Thermochim Acta 524:68–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casás LM, Pozo M, Gómez CP, Pozo E, Bessieres D, Plantier F, Legido JL (2013) Thermal behavior of mixtures of bentonitic clay and saline solutions. Appl Clay Sci 72:18–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caselles MN (2007) Recetas con algas atlanticas. Edicion Algamar, Pontevedra

    Google Scholar 

  • Cerrada A (2007) Talasoterapia: Revision de artículos médicos publicados en los últimos 20 años. Hidrol Med 2:151–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlier R, Chainuex MC (2009) The healing sea: a sustainable coastal ocean resource: thalassotherapy. J Coastal Res 25(4):838–856

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaussade J (2002) Os recursos do mar. Instituto Piaget, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Codish S, Abu-Shakra M, Flusser D, Friger M, Sukenik S (2005) Mud compress therapy for the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 25:49–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-003-0402-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connell J (2006) Medical Tourism: Sea, sun, sand and surgery. Tour Manag 27:1093–1100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortés G, Cortés I, Gómez CP, Mourelle ML, Legido JL (2017) Experience de innovación del peloide de El Raposo. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 61–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Coudron F, Counilh P (2017) Le Peloide de Dax. Libro de Resúmenes, V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 23–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Czarnowicki T, Harari M, Ruzicka T, Ingber A (2011) Dead Sea climatotherapy for vitiligo: a retrospective study of 436 patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 25:959–963. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03903.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Andrade SC, de Carvalho RF, Soares AS, de Abreu Freitas RP, de Medeiros Guerra LM, Vilar MJ (2008) Thalassotherapy for Fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial comparing aquatic exercises in sea water and water pool. Rheumatol Int 29:147–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0644-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Michele D, Giacomino M, Untura-Filho M, Beldarrein A (2008) Efectos sistémicos de los fangos minerales: revision de la literatura de los últimos 10 anos. Balnea 4:115–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Deledicque AG (1981) Thalassotherapy in Rheumatology. Revue de Medecine 22(6):2269–2272

    Google Scholar 

  • Dramsdahl E (2012) Multidisciplinary rehabilitation and climatotherapy for chronic diseases at the Dead Sea. Anales de Hidrologia Médica 5(1):53–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Duparc-Ricoux S, Monnet P, Fabry R (2004) Thalassotherapy: complementary or competitor of the hydro-mineral cure? Press Therm Clim 141:71–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Flusser D, Abu-Shakra M, FrigerM CS, Sukenik S (2002) Therapy with mud compresses for knee osteoarthritis: comparison of natural mud preparations with mineral-depleted mud. J Clin Rheumatol 8:197–203. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.RHU.0000022542.38402.A9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gameiro FIJ (2011) A Oferta de Talassoterapia em Portugal. Dissertação de Mestrado, Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomes CSF, Silva JBP (2012) Ilha do Porto Santo: Estância Balnear de Saúde Natural/Porto Santo Island: Unique Natural Health Resort. Madeira Rochas-Divulgações Científicas e Culturais (editor), Funchal, RAM, 237pp. ISBN: 978-972-99004-4-0

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomes CSF, Silva JBP, Viegas Fernandes J, Viegas Fernandes FM (2019) Thalassotherapy in Porto Santo Island of the Madeira Archipelago: facts and prospects. Bol Soc Esp Hidrol Méd 34(1):9–33. ISSN: 0214-2813. https://doi.org/10.23853/bsehm.2019.0953

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez CP, Fernández C, Mourelle ML (2017) Estudio termofísico de mezclas de Fucus vesiculosus com bentonita y disoluciones salinas para usos en centros de talassoterapia. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 125–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Halvey S, Giryes H, Friger M, Sukenik S (1997) Dead Sea bath salt for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: A double blind controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol 9:237–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harari M (2012a) Climatotherapy of skin diseases at the Dead Sea: an update. Anales de Hidrologia Médica 5(1):39–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Harari M (2012b) Beauty is not only Skin Deep: the Dead Sea features and Cosmetics. Anales de Hidrologia Médica 5(1):75–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoareau D (2002) Les thérapies marines. Éditions Dangles, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobel P (1985) A saúde pela Talassoterapia. Litexa Portugal, Lisboa

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz U, Shoenfield Y, Zakin V, Sherer Y, Sukenik S (2012) Scientific evidence of the therapeutic effects of Dead Sea treatments. Semin Arthritis Rheum

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazandjieva J, Grozdev I, Darlenski R, Tsankov N (2008) Climatotherapy of psoriasis. Clin Dermatol 26(5):477–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kopel E, Levi A, Harari M, Ruzicka T, Ingber A (2013) Effect of the Dead Sea climatotherapy for psoriasis on quality of life. Isr Med Assoc J 15:99–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovač N, Šmuc NR, Dolenec M, Glavas N (2017) Secovlje saline mud: Research and practical aspects. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 27–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucchetta MC, Monaco G, ValenziVI RMV, Campanella J, Nocchi S, Mennuni G, Fraioli A (2007) The historical-scientific foundations of thalassotherapy: State of the art. Clin Ter 158:533–541

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunt N, Smith R, Exworthy M, Green ST, Horsfall P, Mannion R (2011) Medical tourism: treatments, marketsand Health system implication: a sco** review. OECD, Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, Paris, 55pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Maraver F (2000) Talasoterapia. In: Sanchez C (dir.). Técnicas Hidrotermales. Videocinco, Madrid, pp 151–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Maraver F (2015) Talasoterapia: Conceptos y antecedentes. Proc del Congreso International de Talaso. Salud y Bienestar, Nov 22–25, Baiona, pp 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Maraver F, Michán A, Morer C, Aguilera L (2011) Is thalassotherapy simply a type of climatotherapy? Int J Biometeorol 55:107–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin MC, Costas D, Gómez CP, Mourelle ML, Legido JL (2017) Estudio de la adsorción y floculación de bentonita en presencia de microalgas marinas para preparación de peloides. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 163–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Miranda EM (2014) Legislación y jurisprudência sobre peloterapia. In: Hernandez Torres A (coordinator) Peloterapia: aplicaciones médicas y cosméticas de fangos termales. Fundación Bílbilis, pp 301–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Morer C (2016) Talasoterapia. Bol Soc Esp Hidrologia Médica 31:119–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morer C, Boestad C, Zuluaga P, Alvarez-Badillo A, Maraver F (2017a) Effects of an intensive thalassotherapy and aquatic therapy program in stroke patients: a pilot study. Rev Neurol 65:249–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Morer C, Roques C-F, Françon A, Forestier R, Maraver F (2017b) The role of mineral elements and other chemical compounds used in balneology: data from double-blind randomized clinical trials. In: International Journal of Biometeorology, Springer. ISSN 0020-7128, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-017-1421-2.D

  • Moses SW (2012) Health effects of Dead Sea Climatotherapy on patients with heart and lung diseases. Anales de Hidrologia Médica 5(1):11–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Mourelle ML (2018) Microalgas y Mianobacterias Marinas en Cosmética y Talasoterapia. Tribuna Termal: Turismo de Salud y Bienestar 39:64–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Mourelle ML, Gómez CP, Legido JL, Legido N (2016) Innovación en el uso de microalgas en termalismo. Bol Soc Esp Hidrol Méd 31:53–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mourelle ML, Gómez CP, Legido JL (2017) The potential use of marine microalgae and cyanobacteria in cosmetics and thalassotherapy. Cosmetics 4:46. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics4040046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munteanu C, Munteanu D (2019) Thalassotherapy today. Balneo Res J 10 (4): 440–444. https://doi.org/10.12680/balneo.2019.278

  • Piles ST, Burgos BI, Galán IG, Rincón EO (2017) Estudio comparado entre peloides naturales y madurados de forma controlada, de benefícios clínicos en la osteoartritis en el balneário El Raposo. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 63–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Portugal-Cohen M, Soroka Y, Ma’or Z, Oron M, Zioni T, Menahen F, Neuman R, Kohen R, Milner Y (2009) Protective effects of a cream containind Dead Sea minerals against UVB-induced stress in human skin. Exp Dermatol:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Pros JS (1980) El poder curative del mar (talasoterapia). Editorial Sintes, Barcelona

    Google Scholar 

  • Rincón EO, Galán IG, Piles ST (2017) Estabilización inmunoneuroendocrina como mecanismo de efectividad de los benefícios de la peloterapia sobre la osteoartritis: Un estúdio en el balneário “El Raposo”. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 65–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogozian BN, Efimenko NV, Kaĭsinova AS, Babiakin AF (2011) Thalassotherapy for the patients suffering osteoarthrosis. The medical technology. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 88:51–54. https://doi.org/10.17116/kurort2011651-54

    Google Scholar 

  • San José JC (2004) René Quinton : Centenário de “L’eau de mer”, milieu organique. Bol Soc Esp Hidrol Med 19(1):17–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • San Martin J (1995) Talasoterapia: Proyección terapêutica actual. Na R Acad Nac Med (Madrid) 112(2):347–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuh A (2009) Die Evidenz der Klima- und Thalassotherapie. Ein Rev Schweiz Z Ganzheitsmed 21:96–104. https://doi.org/10.1159/000287219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seoane V, Ramos S, Gómez CP, Mourelle ML, Legido JL (2017) Experiências com limos marinos en el Talaso Atlántico. Libro de Resúmenes del V Congreso Iberoamericano de Peloides, Balneario El Raposo, Badajoz, pp 167–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Setti M, Soria C, Marinoni L, Roca Jalil E, Andrade D, Barbagelata R, Bashini M (2011) Natural materials from Laguna Mar Chiquita and their possible use in human health. 11th International Conference on salt Lakes Research, Laguna Mar Chiquita, Cordoba, Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • Shani J, Seidl V, Hristakieva E, Stanimirovic A, Burdo A, Harari M (1997) Indications, contraindications and possible sideeffects of climatotherapy at the Dead sea. Int J Dermatol 36:481–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva JBP, Santos D, Amaral MH, Ramos P, Franco A, Gomes CSF, Lobo JMS (2015) Casos de estudo de tratamento de patologias mamárias com peloide terapêutico. Balnea, 10, 120–122 (editores Maraver F, Vela L, Ankili WL)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sukenik S, Neumann L, Flusser D, Kleiner-Baumgarten A, Buskila D (1995) Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis at the Dead Sea. Isr J Med Sci 31:210–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Sukenik S, Flusser D, Abu-Shakra M (1999) The role of spa therapy in various rheumatic diseases. Rheum Dis Clin N Am 25:883–897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinghérian C (2005) Guide de la thalasso. Éditions Solar, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Tréguer Y (2003) La Thalassotérapie. Éditions le Cavalier Bleu, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Veillet-Berry M-N (2011) Le bienfait de la thalasso. L’énergie de la mer au service de votre santé et de votre beauté, Marabout Hacette Livre, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Viegas Fernandes J, Viegas Fernandes FM (2011) Turismo de Saúde e Bem-Estar no Mundo: Ética, Excelência, Segurança e Sustentabilidade. Editora SENAC, São Paulo, Brasil, 264pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Viegas Fernandes J, Viegas Fernandes FM (2014) Algarve's health and wellness destination. Medical Tourism Magazine, issue 30, January/February 2014, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Zijlstra TR, van de Laar MA, Bernelot Moens HJ, Taal E, Zakraoui L, Rasker JJ (2005) Spa treatment for primary fibromyalgia syndrome: a combination of thalassotherapy, exercise and patient education improves symptoms and quality of life. Rheumatology (Oxford) 44:539–546. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keh53

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Researcher of the Research Unit “GeoBioTec”, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Celso S. F. Gomes & João B. P. Silva

  2. AMTSBE (Association Mondiale de Tourisme de Santé et Bien-Être), Researcher and Consultant, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal

    João V. Fernandes

  3. Physician, Expert in Public Health, Urbanização S.Luis, Faro, Portugal

    Filomena V. Fernandes

Authors
  1. Celso S. F. Gomes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. João V. Fernandes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Filomena V. Fernandes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. João B. P. Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Celso S. F. Gomes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Researcher of the Research Unit “GeoBioTec”, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Celso Gomes

  2. Docteur d’État ès Sciences Physiques, Retired of University of Orléans, Orléans, France

    Michel Rautureau

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Gomes, C.S.F., Fernandes, J.V., Fernandes, F.V., Silva, J.B.P. (2021). Salt Mineral Water and Thalassotherapy. In: Gomes, C., Rautureau, M. (eds) Minerals latu sensu and Human Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65706-2_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation