European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

As the world advances towards new developments in the field of medicine, the menace of dreadful diseases keeps on posing a new challenge to the healthcare systems. There are myriads of diseases afflicting the mankind which so far remain completely or partially unanswered by pharmacological interventions. Even in some of the cases where drug modalities are multitude, only symptomatic relief is obtained. The cure at times appears unrealistic and the subjects continue to suffer for not only the lack of treatment, but also due to undesired harmful effects. Consequently, the emphasis is being placed on utilization of every bit of the scientific knowledge available thereby reinforcing the interestin complementary and alternative forms of treatment, used simultaneously with drug modalities or in isolation. Balneotherapy is one such technique employed since ancient times for remission, rehabilitation and treatment of various diseased states. The technique utilizes medicinal water or mud with chemical constituents that provide nourishment and healing effects. Recent scientific literature has examined the potential of balneological treatments in differentclinical stateswith varyingdegrees of infirmity. The present review summarizes the mechanisms involved behind the restorative effects of balneological treatments and their effectiveness in various disease conditions