How Värska’s unique therapeutic mud works and what diseases can it treat

The use of therapeutic mud is one of the oldest treatments, but modern balneology, or the study of bath therapy, is constantly finding new evidence of its effects. Surprising facts about mud therapy may make us look at spa procedures with a new eye..
Mud has been used for treatment in many cultures. Diseased parts of the body, such as hands and feet, were covered with mud that was warmed in the sun. Mud has been used for treatment by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Crimean Tatars, and Caucasians.
Mud that is rich in organic and inorganic substances, humic substances, and fat-like compounds is suitable for treatment. At the same time, it must be tested to ensure that the therapeutic mud does not contain substances that are unsuitable for the body above the maximum limits. In 2013–2014, the laboratory of the Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Competence Center (TERE KK) studied mud from Estonian mud deposits. In 145 samples taken from five deposits, there were naturally differences in the ratio of organic and inorganic matter, but in none of the deposits was the amount of heavy metals excessive.
The mud of Lake Värska is a lake medicinal mud, or sapropel, which is formed by the biochemical decomposition of plant remains and the transformation of settled organic and mineral matter under the influence of various biological, chemical and physicochemical factors.
The mud contains various very important organic compounds. Organic substances are abundant in the Värska sapropel, over 50% of the dry weight. The healing properties of the main ones – humic acids – have been paid much attention to in various spa research throughout the ages. One of the most appreciated properties of the Värska medicinal mud is its high hydrogen sulfide content, which is a great rarity.
Kairi Põldsaar and Doctor Marge Uppin note that for mud to become medicinal mud, the coexistence of several properties is necessary. In addition to certain physical and chemical parameters, the water content of the mud used for treatment must be sufficiently high (over 37%), the mud must be characterized by suitable density and shear strength, sufficient heat capacity, normal content of heavy metals and the absence of pathogenic bacteria. These parameters are why Värska therapeutic mud is extremely highly valued.

In Värska, mud therapy is still performed as a bath procedure

Mud extracted from the lake mud deposit located in the Värska bay is heated and mixed with our saltiest (21.6 g/l) mineral water (Värska-6). This makes the Värska mud bath very special. Such a therapeutic combination, where therapeutic mud and natural mineral water are together, cannot be obtained at any other sanatorium in Europe. It is not known whether similar treatments are applied elsewhere in the world. A hot mud bath, which is taken at a temperature of 41–43 degrees, also affects the body thermally.
The smell coming from the bath is proof that it is a pure natural substance, with no artificial fragrances, dyes or preservatives added. Mud baths have another very special additional effect – this is a state of weightlessness. A very large effort is removed from the human musculature – resisting the earth’s gravity.
The effect of the therapeutic bath relieves muscle tension and the resulting muscle pain, blood vessels dilate, the heart rate increases and blood circulation is activated. Excess fluid and waste products are removed from the body. After the mud bath, the skin is soft, well-moisturized. The skin’s moisture balance and metabolism improve.
Thus, therapeutic mud provides relief for metabolic and degenerative changes in the bone and joint system and for those suffering from diseases of the peripheral nervous system. In addition, mud can be used to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, joints resulting from operations and injuries, scars, poorly healing wounds and various post-traumatic conditions, as well as, for example, liver, biliary tract and intestinal inflammation and chronic skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis).
If mud baths are used to treat chronic diseases, then according to rehabilitation physician Külli Margus, the most optimal treatment period is still a treatment period lasting several days, during which at least four or five mud and perhaps additional mineral baths could be taken. Massage also helps to relieve muscle tension and improve metabolism.