Mud bath

A mud bath is bathing in so-called healing peat, which is extracted from the mud. Healing peat belongs to the peloids, to the so-called loose sediments. A distinction is made between aquatic loose sediments, such as muds, peats and mud, and restrictive loose sediments, such as healing earths, clay, volcanic tuff and marl. In addition, a distinction is made between low and high bog peat.
While the physical properties of the different types of peat have some similarities, the chemical and pharmacological properties show differences. They depend not only on the content of organic and inorganic substances, but also on the different absorption capacity of the skin and vaginal skin. Various biochemical and pharmacological effects of peat ingredients can be demonstrated, including ion exchange and buffering effects, inhibition of arachidonic acid cascade, prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis inhibition, estrogen effects, smooth muscle influence, specific effects on smooth muscle receptors, blocking of viral receptors (herpes, papilloma viruses). The permeation of biologically active peat ingredients through the skin and mucous membrane is now considered proven. A special form of application is vaginal peat therapy.

Bath peat contains dry 20 to 40% humic acids which have germ-inhibiting, astringent, tanning and sorbent properties. It is doubtful to what extent substances with estrogenic effects play a clinical role.
As a peloid , mud has a deep-warming effect on the musculoskeletal system.

- Subacute and chronic rheumatic conditions -
Postacute conditions after trauma to the musculoskeletal system -
Pain relief in chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts -
Female sterility -
Menopausal complaints

Peat baths are administered at hot temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius. As a result of the conductive heating effect, temperatures significantly higher than 37 degrees Celsius must be used because the layer lying against the skin is rapidly cooled down to body temperature. Since a continuous supply of heat is provided from deeper layers of moorland, careful temperature control is necessary before application. The application time is 20 to 30 minutes.

orthostatic dysregulation when getting up.

- Acute inflammation and swelling conditions -
oedema -
bleeding -
circulatory disorders of the skin -
fever -
sensitivity disorders of the skin -
extensive skin injuries and acute skin diseases -
heat - urticaria

1. Uehleke B et al. (2012) In: André-Michael Beer, Martin Adler [eds.] Leitfaden Naturheilverfahren für die ärztliche Praxis, Urban und Fischer Verlag p. 58.
2. Uehleke B (2017) Moor baths in osteoarthritis. Z Phytother 5: 212-213