Sulphate mineral waters: A medical resource in several disorders

Maria Costantino; Viviana Izzo; Valeria Conti; Valentina Manzo; Antonella Guida; Amelia Filippelli

doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.04.004

Sulphate mineral waters: A medical resource in several disorders

J Tradit Complement Med. 2019 Apr 22;10(4):320-326. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.04.004. eCollection 2020 Jul.

Authors

Maria Costantino^{1

2}, Viviana Izzo¹, Valeria Conti¹, Valentina Manzo¹, Antonella Guida³, Amelia Filippelli^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi, SA, Italy.
² Association non-profit F.I.R.S.Thermae (Interdisciplinary Training, Researches and spa Sciences) in Italian National Register of Research of MIUR, Naples, Via marziale 21, 80070, Bacoli, NA, Italy.
³ General Directorate Health Protection, Campania Region, Centro Direzionale is C3, 80143, Naples, Italy.

Abstract

Based on their chemical composition, salus per aquam (spa) mineral waters (or medical mineral waters) can be classified as sulphurous, sulphate, bicarbonate etc. Sulphate mineral waters where the predominant element is sulphate anion SO₄ ^2-, are frequently used in clinical therapy. In this review, we describe and analyze the current scientific knowledge concerning the therapeutic effect of sulphate mineral waters in the treatment of several disorders. Moreover, we underline how important is to integrate spa treatments with other therapeutic approaches to meet the various needs that can arise during a specific pathological state.

Keywords: Chronic disorders; Complementary therapy; Spa medicine; Spa therapy; Sulphate anion.

Publication types

Review