Medical Geochemistry of Iraqi Sulfurous Springs: An overview on balneology and mud therapy - Tapa blanda

The sulfurous spring water in Iraq is classified as weakly alkaline brackish-salty water, belong to warm and hypothermal class that derived from partially mixing of connate and meteoric water. Spring sediments have mud-therapeutic characterization almost look like the Dead Sea and Hungarian sediments. Salts along with mud effect of absorbing the sunlight, moisturizing the skin and activates the blood circulation of the muscles and joints. Salts, natural tar and bitumen work as anti-inflammatory agent against skin allergies. Species such as pseudomonas, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus and Lactobacillus capable of secretion enzymes inhibit the effectiveness of the other harmful bacteria that may be available in the mud. Springs are considered as potential sources of health spas for therapeutic uses according to the European Union, Americans and Iceland Spa guidelines. Despite, they could be natural heritages in Iraq, but also they are considered as medical sites for massage and fitness, beauty treatments, weight-loss spas and spending time during vacation and Athletic camps and tourism.

Prof. Dr. Salih Muhammad Awadh has B. Sc. (Geology), M. Sc. (Geochemistry), Ph. D. (Geochemistry and Economic Geology) from the University of Baghdad and Post Doctoral from Warsaw University (Poland). He is an Editor-in-Chief of the Iraqi Geological Journal, and editorial board of many international Journals. He has more than 60 publications.