What is thermal waters?

What Does thermal waters Mean

The thermal waters are waters with a high amount of minerals that sprout from the soil naturally at a temperature that exceeds by 5 ° C the temperature in the surface. These waters have their origin in the underground strata of the planet and that is why they are warm, something that differentiates them from sea or river water.

Many times the hot springs are located in the geological fault zone : through these faults the underground waters penetrate which, as they reach greater depth, heat up. Then they return to already warmer surface areas or even as steam .
According to the minerals they include, hot springs can be classified differently. In this sense, we can speak of sulphurous waters (with a high sulfur index), chlorinated waters (which include chlorine) and ferruginous waters (they have iron), among others. Regarding its temperature , there are super thermal waters (which are over 100 ° C), hyperthermal waters (between 45 ° C and 100 ° C), mesothermal waters (from 35 ° C to 45 ° C), hypothermal waters ( between 20 ° C and 35 ° C) and others.

The mineralization of the water and its temperature make the hot springs are considered therapeutic . Many specialists say that bathing in hot springs helps to minimize various ailments and allows you to combat stress . That is why it is common for tourist centers to be built around hot springs, with hotels, restaurants, etc.
Argentina , Colombia , Ecuador , Spain , the United States , Mexico and Uruguay are some of the countries that have thermal water complexes.
Benefits of hot springs
As mentioned above, hot springs are famous for the benefits they can give us in caring for our health , both to prevent different disorders and to treat others. However, despite the many advantages that bathing in them can have, it is important to know that excess or inappropriate practices can have negative consequences, such as low blood pressure and dizziness.
Regarding the ways in which thermal waters are used to take advantage of their healing properties , baths are the most normal, although they are also used to heat rooms, they can be inhaled and irrigated. It is important to mention that the cure of diseases with the help of these waters is not something typical of our time: since 2000 BC. C. there is evidence of its use by ancient civilizations for this and other purposes, such as promoting social relationships.

The effects that hot springs cause on the human body can be divided into three groups, although they all take place simultaneously: biological, chemical and physical . Bathing in them increases the body temperature, eliminates viruses and germs, increases hydrostatic pressure, oxygenation and blood circulation , thereby promoting the dissolution and elimination of toxins.
By increasing oxygenation, it also causes the tissues to feed more efficiently, collaborates with metabolism and stimulates secretions from the liver and stomach, with the consequent improvement of the digestive process .
Repeating baths in hot springs over several weeks can result in normalization of endocrine functions and the general performance of the nervous system . On the other hand, it is known that the immune system also perceives benefits, such as a greater production of endorphins, the regularization of glandular functions and an ideal mental relaxation to face the difficulties of adult life.
With the help of periodic baths in hot springs, especially those that contain sulfur, it is possible to combat certain skin diseases, among which are fungi, dermatitis and psoriasis . The healing of wounds and other skin lesions is also enhanced by these treatments .