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Therapeutic muds (mud treatment)
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Therapeutic muds (peloids) are natural organo-mineral colloidal formations that have the properties of heat carriers and contain biologically active substances (salts, gases, biostimulants, etc.) and living microorganisms. According to their origin, therapeutic muds are divided into four main types: peat, sapropel, silt sulphide and mud.
Peat therapeutic muds are organogenic bog deposits with a high water content, formed as a result of partial bacterial decomposition of protozoa in conditions of abundant moisture and poor oxygen access.
Sapropelic therapeutic muds are silts of fresh water bodies with a high content of organic substances and water, formed as a result of repeated macro- and microbiological processing of the simplest aquatic plants and animals.
Silt sulphide therapeutic muds are silts from salt water bodies, relatively poor in organic matter and, as a rule, rich in iron sulphides and water-soluble salts.
Sopochnye therapeutic muds are mineral muds of the clay type. They are characterized by low mineralization, a complete absence of organic substances, contain gases, and sometimes microelements (iodine, bromine, etc.).
The specific action of peloids is determined by the combination of thermal, mechanical, chemical and biological factors.
Main clinical effects: anti-inflammatory, metabolic, trophic, sedative, coagulating, keratolytic, bactericidal, defibrosing, biostimulating.
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