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Therapeutic Properties of the Mar Menor

The climatic conditions of the Mar Menor, with a high number of hours of sun per year and its high salinity, have brought about the deposit, over the centuries, of clays for therapeutic treatment in various areas of the Mar Menor. The beaches are cleaned and combed every day, resulting in the awards of the E.U. Blue Flags for cleanliness and maintenance. In fact, the region was recently declared the cleanest area in Spain by the World Health Organisation. 

The shallow waters and the absence of tides make the Mar Menor the ideal place for all types of water sports. It was the first area in Spain to become known as an Estacion Nautical (Nautical Resort), with the prime object being to promote tourism during out of season months, especially in the field of water.

With a total surface area of 170 square kilometer's (over 60 square miles) it is the largest salt-water lake in Europe. The waters of this lake have an average depth of 3.5 metres, with a maximum of 6.5 metres, and its perimeter extends for some 73 kilometre's (approx. 46 miles). It is a magnificent natural swimming pool with temperatures, which are maintained by a sun that shines for an average of 320 days each year. 

This provides water temperatures in the winter months of 11C, which rises to 30C at the height of the summer. The waters register a saline content of 50% (the highest in Europe) and are scientifically recognised as being therapeutic in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and many other ailments. The Black Mud from the Mar Menor, although creating a strange sight when first seen smothered over the bodies of some of the visitors, is used to relieve the pain and the symptoms of these conditions. 

Curative Mud - Mar Menor History

The therapeutic values of mud and clay have long been acknowledged.  The Chinese used them for centuries making poultices to heal inflammations. Other cultures within the Indian subculture of South America found that the sand and clay in that area aided rheumatic cases. Hipocrates (460-337 BC) the father of traditional medicine, recommended their use in many of his treatments and many other doctors of that era, like Empedocles(490-430 BC), Galen, in the Second century, or Paracelso, in the Sixth century, compiled data of the many popular remedies using clay and mud, that exported many of the basic minerals like calcium, Magnesium, silica, iron and potassium to the body. 

The particular climatic conditions of the Mar Menor, the long hours of sunlight and the high level of salt in the water, have created a mud known for its therapeutic value. The last analysis carried out by the University of Murcia in 1995 found that these sediments contain a high percentage of calcium, magnesium, potassium and fluoride, as well as chlorine and sulphur. This percentage is far superior to the normal values found in this type of water with such a high level of salinity. The tests also show that there are high levels of fine and very fine sands, the basis of the healing attributes of  this mud. The pH varies between 7.12 and 8.45. 

Symptoms

Use of this mud is recommended in many cases of skin disease, such as abscesses, ulcers, inflammations, sores, and acne, due to its rapid absorption, its mineralising effect and its capacity to neutralise acid as well as the stimulating effect it has on wound healing. 

A layer of mud applied to the skin absorbs all the conjunctive tissue and eliminates lymphatic toxins from the dermas, acting as a blotting pad for the skin. This mud is also appropriate as an anti-inflammatory in the cases of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and for rehabilitation after a bone fracture. It is also recommended for throat illnesses. 

Application 

The mud baths can be taken by applying the mud with a spatula or by hand. It is best to apply the mud initially in small areas and leave on the skin for a maximum of one hour. If no side effects are experienced, you can the increase the amount and the duration of the bath. 
It is best to apply the mud during the day and in warm weather so that the sun can quickly dry the layer of clay applied. The area should be washed with salt water between each treatment.

Mineromedical Waters

The Mar Menor is a lake with a very high level of salt. The characteristics of the water is conditioned by the extreme heat, the wind and above all its connection to the Mediterranean through the fishing canals. The ionic concentrations of magnesium, calcium, sodium, iodine and fluoride are much higher than the amounts found in the Mediterranean. It has been proved that thermal treatments with this type of salt water has an osmotic effect on the interstitial tissue of the human body and increases the activity of the blood circulation. As a result toxins are eliminated and the bodies muscles relax, very good for suffers of arthritis, rheumatism, tendentious, nervous diseases and all types of pathologies related to the articulations.