Physiological Effects of Therapy

    Thermal Effects:

• Hyperthermia, exogenous elevation of the body temperature, local or systemic, by means of a bath or poultice, as a passive conductive transmission of thermal energy for local effect or a reflex response, has been demonstrated as a beneficial therapeutic measure for centuries.

     Local Heat Effects

• Reduction of pain

• Acceleration of collateral blood circulation

• Elevation of cellular fluids

• Relaxation of the skeletal musculature

• Enhanced range of motion, stretching capacity of collagen structures

• Antiphlogistic effect

     Hyperthermia Effects

• Stimulation of the sympathetic nerves

• Increase in heart rate and stroke volume

• Overall sedative effect

• Hormonal stimulation

• Immuno stimulation (mild Hyperthermia)

• Immunosuppression (extreme Hyperthermia)

• Adaptation of the vegetative functioning

     Mechanical Effects

• Hydrostatic pressure

• Cohesion and viscosity, depending on the bath medium and depth of submersion

     Healing Botanicals (Organic Carbon Extracts)

• Absorption of peat substances is well documented. A recent study by C. Coecke (1994) of peat application demonstrated a prolonged rise in temperature and vasodilation of the internal genital circulation (arteria uterine). Placebo bath, water bath, and peat bath were applied at the same given temperature. Only the peat bath achieved the physiological effect. A vasodilator agent is thought to be absorbed from the peat substances, via follicle and apocrine glands by diffusion and partial pinocytosis.

• Changes in pH values on vaginal tissue showed antibacterial and antiviral effects. Elevated protein synthesis, estrogen stimulation and changes in contractibility of the musculature in organs were demonstrated by Kauffels (1989), and Tushen (1991).

• The inflammatory mediators, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and thromboxane, were inhibited in vitro by peat application as demonstrated by Laschen, Queke, and Goecke (1986). This gives an explanation of the antiphlogistic effect in peat therapeutics.

    Methyl Salicylate (Oil of Wintergreen produced by distillation of sweet birch leaves)

• A counter irritant with antiphlogistic and analgesic effect; an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, and biosynthesis of prostaglandin; a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation. (Harrison et. al. 1981)

     Sulphur (a yellow mineral from pyrite and marcasite FE S-2)

• Antioxidant

• Dermic dilator

• Exsiccant and antiseptic

• Research in immunohistochemical reaction of the epidermal Langerhans cells after a sulphur bath containing 40 mg of sulphur demonstrated inhibition of Langerhans cells function by 50%. As an inhibitor of Langerhans cells and the destruction of free oxygen radicals, sulphur is a direct anti-inflammatory agent on derma and mucosa. (Artmann and Pratzel, 1987-1991)

• This may explain the concept of the desensitizing effect of the sulphur bath on allergic diseases of the skin. (M.Z. Karagulle, Z.N. Tutuney, O. Aslan, and E. Basak, 1994)