<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Found in lakes, freshwater sapropel is a sediment with a fine structure containing more than 10% of organic matter as well as residues of aquatic organisms with a small content of inorganic components of biogenic origin and mixture of mineral ingredients. The mud was first used in medicine by ancient Greeks, and it gained more popularity together with development of balneology in Europe in the 19<sup>th</sup> century as a remedy for several diseases. The last century also brought wider popularity in its cosmetic use. Despite its wide usage, mechanisms behind its effects are not so clear yet. Broad but fragmented studies on the effects of sapropel are available, but few have used modern research methods. There is evidence suggesting that its positive health effects are linked to its thermal capacity, ability of penetration in tissues and biological activity of its components, e.g., humic substances. Evidence also suggests antimicrobial activity and positive effects on skin regeneration. This review aims at summarising available knowledge on the structure and composition of sapropel and its effects on the human body, as well as its potential for further evidence-based use in medicine and cosmetics.</p>
</abstract>

Found in lakes, freshwater sapropel is a sediment with a fine structure containing more than 10% of organic matter as well as residues of aquatic organisms with a small content of inorganic components of biogenic origin and mixture of mineral ingredients. The mud was first used in medicine by ancient Greeks, and it gained more popularity together with development of balneology in Europe in the 19th century as a remedy for several diseases. The last century also brought wider popularity in its cosmetic use. Despite its wide usage, mechanisms behind its effects are not so clear yet. Broad but fragmented studies on the effects of sapropel are available, but few have used modern research methods. There is evidence suggesting that its positive health effects are linked to its thermal capacity, ability of penetration in tissues and biological activity of its components, e.g., humic substances. Evidence also suggests antimicrobial activity and positive effects on skin regeneration. This review aims at summarising available knowledge on the structure and composition of sapropel and its effects on the human body, as well as its potential for further evidence-based use in medicine and cosmetics.

Sapropel – Mining Characteristics and Potential Use in Medicine

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Sapropel \u2013 Mining Characteristics and Potential Use in Medicine"}

Found in lakes, freshwater sapropel is a sediment with a fine structure containing more than 10% of organic matter as well as residues of aquatic organisms...

Sapropel – Mining Characteristics and Potential Use in Medicine

Publié en ligne: 02 juin 2022

Pages: 188 - 197

Reçu: 29 juin 2018

Accepté: 08 avr. 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2022-0029

Mots clés
peloids, general characteristics, mud therapy, health benefits

© 2022 Ivars Vanadziņš et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Sapropel – Mining Characteristics and Potential Use in Medicine

Publié en ligne: 02 juin 2022

Pages: 188 - 197

Reçu: 29 juin 2018

Accepté: 08 avr. 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2022-0029

Mots cléspeloids, general characteristics, mud therapy, health benefits

© 2022 Ivars Vanadziņš et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
peloids, general characteristics, mud therapy, health benefits