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 Water
Characteristics
Main
types of thermal water therapies and applications
Everyone knows Chile as a country that boasts a lot of seismic
and volcanic activity. This is due to its location within the Pacific
Basin, called "The Ring of Fire." Enormous tectonic plates
are constantly moving and converging around this particular area,
therefore causing constant volcanic and seismic activity, although
most times we do not perceive it. Chile also presents a lot of geothermal
activity, which is nothing more than the Earth's internal heat that
reaches some of the deepest levels of water. Water from the depths
of the Earth that rise as hot water become thermal fountains or
pools on the surface or are manifested as boiling steam in geysers.
Since Roman times, geothermal energy has served multiple purposes,
such as heating sources, healing waters, centers of relaxation,
etc. Today, advancements in drilling and pumping methods allow this
energy to be exploited in various worldwide locations, mainly as
a simple and reliable method for producing electric energy. Some
of the more important central locations for producing this type
of energy are found in Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Iceland. Besides
its use towards generating electric energy, geothermal energy can
also be utilized as a hot, sanitary water supply or to heat homes,
offices, public buildings, pools and agricultural facilities (greenhouses).
In Chile, all these uses are still in the research stages.
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There are around 270 thermal sources within Chile alone, dispersed
throughout the entire country, and many of them are still yet to
be discovered. There are sources from sea level all the way up to
high mountain altitudes of more than 9,840 ft. (3,000 m), from tiny
thermal pools to grand tourist resorts that embrace miles of territory.
The thermal water sources are concentrated in three main areas:
the northern high plateau district, from San Pedro de Atacama to
Putre, where nearly 20% of all of Chile's thermal waters meet and
are characterized by their altitude and extreme heat. The second
district of the Pucuro Fault in the central region boasts around
35 sources, and the third district of the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault
in southern Chile, between the Ninth and Eleventh Regions, from
the Llaima Volcano to the Hudson Volcano. There are over 70 thermal
sources in this third area, characterized by diverse landscapes
and various temperatures from 68°F and 77°F to as high as
176°F, unbearable for the human body.
Regarding tourist infrastructure, the thermal facilities throughout
Chile range from simple outdoor pools surrounded by astounding natural
panoramas to luxurious Spas and facilities with private cabins and
marble baths. As you can see, there are options that cater to all
tastes and suit even the tightest budgets.
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The hot springs suitable for tourism that are located in the north,
especially in the mountainous region, are few and far between compared
to the hot springs found in the south of Chile. Generally, hot springs
that are located in the northern Andes foothills are outdoor pools
found in ravines and near salt flats, beautiful but almost inaccessible
areas. There are no facilities, making them suitable for only the
more adventurous spirits. There are more accessible, well-known
hot springs in the sierras, such as Mamiña Hot Springs in
the First Region, whose waters have been valued for their healing
qualities since before the arrival of the Spanish. The Baths of
Puritama are one of the most popular in Chile's Second Region, Juncalito
Hot Springs in the Third Region, and Socos Hot Springs in the Fourth
Region.
Some of Chile's oldest thermal centers, such as Jahuel Hot Springs,
are found north of Santiago. Charles Darwin visited them in 1834
while he was traveling and doing his research. Most of the hot springs
in this region boast a large infrastructure and facilities designed
for relaxing family vacations, including sports and children's game
facilities, among others. In addition to Jahuel, the Corazon Hot
Springs are located in the Fifth Region, and Colina Hot Springs
and Baths of Morales in the metropolitan region. Further south in
the Sixth Region the popular areas are Cauquenes Hot Springs, a
traditional center in operation since the 19th century, and Del
Flaco Hot Springs. And lastly, the Panimavida and Quinamavida Hot
Springs are located in the Seventh Region.
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More than 30% of Chile's thermal sources are found in the south,
from the Ninth Region to the Eleventh. This is due to the combination
of volcanic activity and the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault that facilitates
the filtration of water from the rain and snow. Facilities in this
region range from simple natural pools of water surrounded by lush
vegetation that grows near the thermal sources to luxurious baths
in first class hotels. The famous Chillan Hot Springs are found
in the Eighth Region near the city of Chillan, featuring various
facilities and centers that combine hot springs with ski resorts.
Huife Hot Springs is situated in the Ninth Region, located amidst
a native forest. Other Ninth Region hot springs resorts include
Menetué Hot Springs with family-oriented facilities, and
the San Luis and Palguin Hot Springs. Further south you will find
Coñaripe, Liquiñe Hot Springs, and Puyehue Hot Springs,
famous for its mudbaths and found near the ski center. Aguas Calientes
and Del Amarillo are also located in this Tenth Region.
In the Eleventh Region, the extreme southern end of Chile next
to the Austral Road, you can visit the Puyuhuapi Hot Springs. According
to experts, this is one of the best thermal centers in the entire
country, surrounded by a spectacular landscape and first-class facilities.
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Water Characteristics
Activities related to hot springs or thermal waters are becoming
more popular all over the world. Some of the countries that are
currently the leaders of thermal activity and special offers regarding
this include France, Japan, Italy, and Spain, however, Chile is
slowly catching up.
The growing concern for health and general well-being has gained
public interest for planning vacations to hot springs, especially
considering the wide range of treatments such as fangotherapy, mud
therapy and others that combine thermal mud, water and other elements
such as algae, honey, or milk. But none of this would be possible
without the presence of the thermal waters.
The healing gifts of thermal water were discovered in ancient
times, but the Romans were the first to spread the use of the waters
as a method of relaxation and healing throughout the Empire. In
Chile, the use of thermal waters for therapeutic purposes dates
back to the first settlers. Incas, Quechuas, and Aymaras in the
north and the Mapuche in the south frequented the hot springs to
relieve their aches and pains, combining water and thermal mud.
Nowadays, the water is even bottled and used as drinking mineral
water. This exists in the hot springs of Mamiña, Chusmisa,
and Socos in the north, and Panimavida, Chillan, Quinamavida and
Puyehue in the central and southern regions. These waters are used
for cosmetic reasons as well, through skin treatment and therapy,
mainly as a method for controlling acne. These waters also ease
pain from rheumatism and aching joints, combat stress, and simply
offer a way to relax and reunite with nature.
The mineral waters contain substances and of course minerals that
provide various chemical benefits to the body's health, mainly due
to the physical makeup and the temperature of the water. These effects
are not all the same and it depends mostly on the water's characteristics.
There are actually many kinds of thermal waters, which are classified
according to geologic origin and the presence of different minerals.
Due to their geologic origin there are magmatic waters, rather,
those waters that appear from eruptions or such processes or are
related to large volumes of minerals, characterized by high temperatures,
abundant flow, and a constant mineral composition. These characteristics
classify most of the hot springs in Chile.
There are also waters called telluric or terrestrial, that rise
from the ground. They have a variable flow and there is a moderate
to low presence of minerals.
Waters are classified as oligomineral water according to their
mineral composition, with either a small, moderate or abundant concentration
of minerals. There are many different types of mineral thermal waters,
but the most common contain chlorides, sulfates, or are acidic sulfated.
In the northern part of the country, the majority of thermal waters
correspond to those containing chlorides, with significant traces
of chloride with sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These
are extremely hot waters, often times not suitable for bathing.
Temperatures range from 68°F to 194°F (20° to 90°C).
Chloridated waters are recommended to help recuperate from traumas,
and control rheumatism, neuralgia, respiratory illnesses, and skin
conditions. They are countereffective in people that are too weak,
with cardiopathy, or serious hypertension. Studies show that this
type of water stimulates organic functions, especially with temperatures
over 95°F (35°C). If temperatures are lower, the water is
more useful as a relaxing or sedating agent. People with gastritis,
ulcers, or renal illnesses should not drink this water, however,
they are otherwise recommended for improving the metabolism and
stimulating digestive functions.
There are also radioactive waters present in the north for traces
of radon that exist. This kind of water boasts analgesic and sedating
properties and are highly recommended to combat stress and anxiety.
The waters in the south are predominantly acidic sulfated, and
whose main components are sulfate of magnesium and common salt.
These temperatures are generally lower than the springs in the north,
ranging from 73°F to 158°F (23° to 70°C). The southern
regions also possess chlorine sulfated waters, and are proportionally
less carbonated. They contain variables of sodium, magnesium, and
potassium.
Sulfated waters can contain sodium and magnesium, compositions
recommended for gastrointestinal and liver problems as well as vesicle
conditions. They are also highly recommended to help extract excess
uric acid in those people suffering with gout and help control itching
of the skin. The sulfates and chlorides help control mainly digestive
and gastric illnesses, acne, and psoriasis.
Thermal waters are not the universal remedy nor do they perform
miracles, but they do improve your health, control illnesses, and
relax and relieve stress caused by the hustle and bustle of the
city life.
It is not in vain that mankind has been using these hot springs
for two thousand years, seeking peace of mind, body, and soul.
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Main types of thermal
water therapies and applications
The combination of thermal water with other elements such as volcanic
mud, honey, algae, or milk and other ingredients, used for therapeutic
and cosmetic purposes, is becoming more popular every day. Nowadays,
more people are seeking out nature and all its virtues.
The thermal baths boast multiple benefits and are highly recommended
to relieve traumas, joint inflammation processes such as arthritis,
rheumatism, and muscular aches. Combined with physiotherapy, they
help diminish the rigidity that comes from muscle atrophy.
Regarding its dermatological use, thermal water applied in baths
and steambaths, works in favor of the skin by removing toxins and
bettering the general condition of the skin. Steambaths are also
especially beneficial for relieving sinusitis.
There are also baths that combine hot thermal water with cold water.
This helps constrict the blood vessels and aids in blood circulation
and the elimination of retained liquids.
One of the more widespread uses of thermal water, besides hot
springs, steambaths, saunas, showers, and hydrotherapy, is its combination
with volcanic mud or silt. This is the famous fangotherapy, used
by ancient Egyptians for therapeutic purposes about five thousand
years ago. Even in those days, health experts noticed that the natural
sediments could be used to relieve rheumatic pains and that it could
ease skin irritations and revitalize the body's tissue.
Thermal mud is nothing more than thermal water mixed with the
minerals from the ground, oligominerals, remains from micropulverized
rocks (silica, quartz, and mica), and animal and plant fossil remains,
dragged along the surface.
Thermal mud boasts nutritive properties for the skin and is also
considered antiflammatory, analgesic, and antirheumatic. As part
of dermo-cosmetic therapies, thermal mud aids in circulation and
cleansing the skin as it removes toxins and dead cells. Originally,
only mud was mixed with the water, but nowadays plant extracts,
sea algae, honey, clay and aromatherapy oils are integrated.
Thermal water or mud combined with aromatherapy oils like eucalyptus,
lavender, and grapefruit for example, produce a relaxing and calming
effect and help combat insomnia, colds, fatigue, exhaustion, stress
and tension.
As a facial mask, mud can be used alone or with clay, and is highly
recommended in erythema and acne cases. The thermal mud causes a
peeling effect that can be spread all over the body eliminating
dead cells and revealing a fresh cleaner, younger looking skin.
This type of mask treatment is not recommended for serious cases
of psoriasis, because of its drying effects.
In some hot springs areas like Puyuhuapi in the Eleventh region,
other treatments, such as thalassotherapy, are complemented by the
thermal waters and use warm sea water combined with algae. This
exfoliates and relaxes the skin. .
Other treatments offered in thermal resorts include lymphatic drainage
massages that stimulate the elimination of retained liquids in the
lymphatic system and other massage techniques with decontraction
and relaxing properties used to combat stress, relieve back pains
and relax muscle tension.
Just like all therapies, there are discrepancies for who can use
or benefit from them, especially as hot baths and steambaths. People
with cardiovascular problems, acute hypertension, psoriasic arthritis,
and pregnancy are strongly encouraged not to bathe in thermal waters.
They should not be ingested by those with chronic gastritis.
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Thermal Chile
