Therapeutic mud has been used by folk healers since ancient times. Today, the composition of many of them is well studied, the healing properties are confirmed by scientific research. They are widely used in the complex therapy of many diseases, as well as in cosmetology.
Therapeutic mud can be divided into four main types: silt sulfide, peat, hill and sapropel. All of them differ in texture, temperature and smell. The silt sulfide mud contains about 28% organic matter. In sapropel - 40%, in peat - more than 50%. Sopochnaya curative almost does not contain organic substances.
Today we will present you one of their varieties - sapropel mud. You will learn about their composition, useful and medicinal properties, as well as contraindications to their use.
Sapropel: what is it?
The name of this natural substance comes from the Greek word sapros, which translates as "rotten" and pelos - "silt", "dirt". These are natural organic deposits, which consist mainly of the remains of aquatic organisms. Scientistsclaim that it is a complex and unique natural complex, rich in organic and mineral substances of biogenic origin.
This type of mud is perfectly absorbed by the human body. Sapropelic mud takes pride of place next to such well-known natural remedies as ginseng and mummy. Sapropelic mud became known thanks to the German scientist R. Lauternborn. For a long time he studied their composition and the healing properties that sapropel has on the human body. That these are bottom sediments, which are thousands of years old, were known to researchers even before Lauternborn. But no one was interested in their medicinal properties.
Sapropel characteristics
This bottom sediment is a mud gelatinous mass of brown or gray color, odorless, which distinguishes them from other mud. Sapropel does not decompose and can be stored for months at normal temperatures, but instantly loses its properties at sub-zero temperatures.
Such a mass is formed at depth in the absence of oxygen. This circumstance triggers a special process of formation of colloidal organics with a high content of hydrogen and the activity of the substances included in its composition.
The use of sapropel in antiquity
Initially, sapropel deposits were used as organic fertilizers that increased soil fertility. They also increased crop yields and were a feed supplement for livestock.
Healing properties
Latest scientific researchand analysis of the composition of this sludge revealed a range of unique properties, which are due to the following indicators:
- therapeutic activity and high heat capacity;
- huge content of macro- and microelements, vitamins, s alts, hormone-like substances, amino acids and stimulants;
- sapropel is the only healing mud that has bactericidal properties.
Analogues of these deposits, having such a unique composition and properties, do not exist either in cosmetology or in pharmacology.
Composition
We have already said that sapropelic muds have been formed under unusual conditions for thousands of years. In their mass accumulates a storehouse of useful substances. Dirt contains:
- fats, carbohydrates and proteins;
- vitamins E, D and group B;
- amino acids (leucine, lysine, histidine, isoleucine), folic acid;
- macro- and microelements, metal s alts (potassium and calcium, iron and copper, selenium and silver, bromine and magnesium);
- natural antibiotics;
- biostimulants;
- microbes were found in sapropelic mud that are capable of releasing natural antibiotics, they inhibit the development of pathogenic microbes.
Use of sapropel
This valuable bottom silt is used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. As a rule, this happens in several ways. The most common is external (mud baths, body wraps, masks, applications). In addition, oral use is allowed - vaginal, rectal and oral.
Useful properties
Sapropel masses, due to the biologically active substances they contain, have a beneficial effect on vital processes:
- Improve blood and lymph circulation in tissues, strengthen capillary walls.
- Resolve cholesterol plaques, reduce the content of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
- Enhance metabolism in tissues, improve oxygen metabolism.
- Have a pronounced antibacterial effect.
- Stimulate the functions of the nervous system, being an active physiological stimulus.
- Favorably affect the body's immune and defense reactions, increase resistance to colds and infectious diseases.
- Break down fats.
- Decrease swelling.
- Does not cause allergic reactions.
Recommendations for use
Sapropel shows excellent results in the treatment of almost all body systems. Recommendations for the use of mud relevant for the following diseases:
- arthritis and arthritis, osteitis, bone fractures, ankylosing spondylitis, diseases of ligaments and muscles;
- nervous diseases caused by bruises, injuries, cerebral palsy and other congenital pathologies;
- radiculitis, neuritis of the facial nerve, meningoencephalitis, neuralgia;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- problems in the genitourinary system: prostatitis, cystitis, cystalgia, colpitis;
- bronchial asthma (only in remission), pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis;
- frontal sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, neuritisauditory nerves, tonsillitis;
- chronic cholecystitis, pancreatitis, chronic hepatitis;
- skin diseases: psoriasis, acne, scleroderma, eczema, bedsores, erythema nodosum;
- burns - dirt accelerates the regeneration of skin and tissues;
- adhesions of the uterus, chronic adnexitis, male and female infertility, uterine erosion;
- gingivitis, periodontitis, stomatitis.
Use in cosmetology
Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences believe that sapropel is a unique natural product of the centuries-old synthesis of the remains of animal and plant life, as if specially created to help people fight ailments. Even its analogue cannot yet be created artificially.
Leading cosmetic and perfume firms in many countries declared sapropel cosmetics of the 21st century. What is its uniqueness in cosmetology? Mud baths and masks will help with:
- acne - they restore the water-lipid balance of the skin;
- with dandruff and seborrhea, they normalize the sebaceous glands of the scalp;
- mud mask "tightens" and rejuvenates the skin of the face;
- bottom silt is effective for early baldness, as it strengthens hair follicles;
- greatly fights the effects of uneven tanning, vitiligo, removes freckles;
- improves blood circulation and if not eliminated completely, then stops the development of hated cellulite;
- relieves swelling;
- smoothes wrinkles.
Deposits of sapropel andsanatoriums
The mud treatment procedure using sapropel is called pelotherapy. It is used in sanatorium treatment. In our country, such treatment is carried out in the resorts of Siberia and the Urals. It must be said that sapropel deposits are not numerous in the world either. They are found in Poland, Germany, Belarus and Estonia.
The oldest and most famous reservoir from which sapropel is extracted is the residual lake Moltaevo, located in the Sverdlovsk region. 20 km from Tyumen, on the shore of Lake Maly Taraskul, there is a sanatorium "Taraskul". There you can get medical procedures with sapropel. There is also another lake Tulubaevo with large reserves of valuable deposits.
Deshembinskoye Lake is located 120 km from the city of Ust-Ilimsk. Next to it are the famous resort and he alth resort "Rus", which uses its unique healing mud. Significant deposits of sapropel (layers up to ten meters) are located in the Chukhlomsky and Galichsky lakes of the Kostroma region. This healing mud is successfully used for treatment in the sanatorium of the city of Soligalicha.
One of the richest deposits of healing mud is located in the vicinity of the city of Saki. Sanatoriums of the city offer treatment for many diseases. Basically, they use the mud of the Saki basin, which belongs to sulfide-silt deposits. They are distinguished by the richest mineral composition, high saturation with gases (hydrogen sulfide and methane).
But in recent years, sanatoriums with mud therapy have begun to use imported sapropelic mud. Necessaryto say that the visitors of the famous balneological he alth resort appreciated this innovation.
Sanatoriums of the city
Today, thousands of patients with serious illnesses visit Saki. Sanatoriums of the city have gained popularity far beyond its borders. The medical base of the he alth institution. Burdenko is focused on patients with disabilities due to diseases of the spinal cord, diseases of the joints and ligaments, spine, cerebral palsy, skin problems, female and male infertility.
Saki
And this is the oldest he alth resort in the city. Its main areas are: all types of infertility, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, urological and gynecological diseases, skin diseases.
Using sapropel at home
Today, these healing silt deposits can be used without leaving home. Sapropel can be purchased at pharmacies. Most often, applications are used at home. To do this, the sludge is heated (in a water bath) to +50 ° C, diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream and applied to the body with a layer up to 4 mm thick, usually for 20 minutes. After that, the composition is washed off with warm water.
In the treatment of joints, local wrapping is effective. Sapropel heated to 50 °C (undiluted) must be applied to the affected joint, wrapped with a film, a cloth napkin and a warm cloth or scarf. Treatment time - 30 minutes.
After the first use, the dirt should not be thrown away. It can be used up to three times, and then pour infusion of silthomemade flowers or make foot and hand baths. The procedures are carried out in the following mode: 3 days in a row, then a one-day break. The course of treatment consists of 15 applications.
Ancient Egyptian method of treatment with sapropel is popular. Its essence is as follows: you need to smear yourself with a thin layer of silt heated in the sun, and after that you can sunbathe in the sun until the composition dries and cracks.
Mask for dry skin
Heat the sapropel to +40 °C, add a few drops of vegetable oil (preferably olive oil). Apply the composition on the skin of the face with a thin layer (no more than 2 mm). Leave the mask for ten minutes, while making sure that the mask is not completely dry: moisten it periodically with water or cover it with cling film after applying the therapeutic mass. Don't forget to leave holes for the nose, lips and eyes. Rinse off the mask with warm decoction of herbs or plain water. After twenty minutes, apply a nourishing cream to dry skin.
Oily Skin Treatment
Sapropel will help you dry acne, narrow pores. Warmed up to 40 ° C, apply a thin layer of mud on the face and leave it for 20 minutes. After drying, the mask must be washed off with a decoction of chamomile or celandine. Then wipe your face with tonic and apply a nourishing cream for your skin type.
Hair mask (seborrhea, dandruff, hair loss)
The mask must be applied to a clean scalp, dividing the hair into small strands. After that, massage your head a little from the forehead to the back of the head, put on a hat or wrap yourself in a towel,to insulate the mask. Leave it on for two hours. The mask is washed off with water and shampoo corresponding to the type of hair. During such treatment, the hair may fade a little, but after the completion of the course of mud therapy, their shine is completely restored. The effect of such a mask is complemented by the removal of headaches and depression.
Contraindications
The use of such a unique natural remedy has some contraindications. Sapropel is not recommended for:
- tuberculosis (acute);
- certain heart disease (tachycardia, heart disease, the presence of a pacemaker);
- aneurysms;
- kidney disease;
- severe hypertension;
- fibromyomas, cysts, myomas;
- malignant tumors;
- bleeding tendencies;
- inflammatory processes.
The effect of treatment with sapropel often occurs after a month and a half of regular procedures. Rapid changes can only be observed when using the product for cosmetic purposes.
