SULFUR (HYDROGEN SULFIDE) HEALING SPRINGS

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas with a characteristic odor of rotten eggs and is very toxic in gaseous form. If you inhale hydrogen sulfide for a long time, even in minimal amounts, you may get severe poisoning of the body. But in an aqueous solution, hydrogen sulfide is, on the contrary, useful, as it has medicinal properties. That is why many resorts around the world use natural hydrogen sulfide (sulfide) mineral water in sanatorium treatment.

Underground hydrogen sulfide (sulfur) water of inorganic origin is formed by passing through deposits of sulfide ores. Sulfur water has acidic properties and is used for medicinal purposes. Natural hydrogen sulfide (sulfide) mineral waters can have different degrees of mineralization and differ in ionic composition.

Depending on the concentration of sulfur in the water, springs are divided into:

• weakly sulfide — 10–50 mg/l;

• medium sulfide — 50–100 mg/l;

• strong sulfide — 100–250 mg/l;

• especially strong sulfide — over 250 mg/l.

You can swim in water with almost any concentration of hydrogen sulfide – up to 305 mg/l.

Sulfide mineral waters are used depending on the degree of their mineralization and ionic composition. Low-sulfide water, which contains free hydrogen sulfide and thiosulfide in a proportion of 10-40 mg/l, is suitable for drinking therapy. In drinking therapy, sulfide waters have a laxative and choleretic effect, affecting gastric secretion, and reducing it. In addition, hydrogen sulfide waters have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the affected liver and have antioxidant properties in professional poisoning with heavy metals.

Medium-sulfide, strong, and very strong waters are used for hydrogen sulfide baths. Half of the hydrogen sulfide from the water composition is retained in the skin, which is why external use is so useful, having a specific effect on the human body. The effect of hydrogen sulfide baths has an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerates the healing process of muscle tissue and skin, and cholesterol in the blood decreases. Sulfide waters have a positive effect on the functional state of the cardiovascular system and general and immunological reactivity. Sulfur baths also have a beneficial effect on the patient's appearance - the condition of nails and hair improves.

In addition to general baths, hydrogen sulfide water can be used in the form of:

• sitting-baths

• two- and four-chamber baths for the extremities

• irrigation of affected areas of the skin

• lotions and compresses

• washing for oily skin

• rinsing the mouth and throat

• gynecological irrigation

• micro clysters with a small amount of water.

Hydrogen sulfide or sulfur baths have a double therapeutic effect on the body: The mineral water, penetrating through the pores, helps to alleviate the symptoms of various diseases of the internal organs, and hydrogen sulfide activates physical and chemical reactions in the body.

Hydrogen sulfide water procedures are prescribed for the following diseases:

• neuralgia, osteochondrosis, polyneuropathy;

• all forms of eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, urticaria, ichthyosis, and other chronic skin diseases;

• chronic prostatitis and vesiculitis;

• tubal infertility;

• menstrual dysfunction;

• hypertension of I-II degree;

• varicose veins;

• chronic polyarthritis, post-traumatic or rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, deforming osteoarthritis, and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;

• metabolic disorders;

• obesity.

The benefits of hydrogen sulfide baths are as follows:

• They stop the inflammatory process - hydrogen sulfide in the water enters the bloodstream and is carried to the organs. This improves the blood supply to tissues, increasing oxygen consumption by cells.

• They accelerate metabolic processes - they activate enzyme systems, therefore they are prescribed in a complex treatment for excess weight and endocrine diseases.

• They normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system - they increase the elasticity of blood vessels, improve the heart rate, and stabilize blood pressure.

• They have a positive effect on the nervous system - they reduce irritability, normalize the processes of excitation and inhibition, and are indicated for the prevention of neurological disorders.

• They improve the condition of joints, ligaments, and the spine - they accelerate regenerative processes in bone and soft tissues after operations and fractures.

Contraindications to the use of hydrogen sulfide waters

Hydrogen sulfide waters have several specific contraindications for use. Treatment with sulfide waters is not recommended:

• for cardiovascular diseases (after repeated myocardial infarction,

• severe heart rhythm disturbances and aneurysm, with severe frequent attacks of angina);

• with severe atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels;

• for diseases with circulatory failure;

• for rheumatoid arthritis with high activity of the inflammatory process and arthritis of tuberculous etiology;

• for gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;

• for chronic nephritis and nephrosis;

• for diseases of the liver and biliary tract;

• for some chronic diseases of the thyroid gland.

It is always recommended to consult with your doctor before starting a course of treatment with hydrogen sulfide water.

Let's not forget the words of Paracelsus: "Everything is poison, everything is medicine; the dose determines both." To avoid complications, hydrogen sulfide treatment should be done only with the permission of a doctor and under his supervision.