The secret of healing waters
For centuries, people have searched for springs as a source of water that would not cause disease and quench thirst. Long before people discovered the world of bacteria (Antoni van Leeuwenhoek - 1676 saw bacteria for the first time) it was common knowledge that impure waters brought disease and destruction to the whole wide area. However, some of the discovered springs were different, they tasted so different that their effects on human health did not go unnoticed. Among the different properties from most commonly found springs was also sparkling. Springs with a distinctly bitter or salty taste or smell of sulfur were discovered. If there was no other water at hand, without odor and unusual properties, they were forced to use this. They soon noticed that the different composition of the water used has an effect on human health. Such springs soon became famous and magnificent spa towns gradually grew up around the best ones.
Příběh kyselek
At first, people thought that the bubbles contained in water were dissolved air. Later, the prevailing opinion was that it was dissolved carbonic acid. Today we already know that it is carbon dioxide of volcanic origin or formed by the thermal decomposition of rocks, when gas streams pass through the water column and the oxygen slowly dissolves in the water. Sparkling sodas were so popular that they became the model for the artificially produced sparkling drinks (sodas) that make up the majority of the beverage industry today. Northwest Bohemia is a world-famous locality for the occurrence of sparkling springs (acid springs), of which the area of Slavkovský Les and Mariánské Lázně is the most famous. We further divide the bags according to their further composition, which determines their specific use in spa houses. Although the word sour contains the word acid, from which the words oxygen and acid are derived, the most valuable for spa use are acids with an alkaline (alkaline) pH. In Western Bohemia, alkaline ferric acids are represented, which also contain a high proportion of calcium (for example Rudolph's spring). These have beneficial effects in the treatment of the urinary tract and kidneys. In northern Bohemia, the most valuable sour water, Bílinská, springs up and has been distributed and scientifically researched since the 17th century. It is known for its multiple uses in digestion, deacidification and inhalation processes.
Hořkosolné prameny
Bitter salt springs are a completely specific type of springs. These were sought after because of the content of the so-called true bitter salt, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt). Since bitter salt dissolves the contents of the intestines but is not toxic, it has been used as a laxative for centuries. The spring with the highest content of natural bitter salt is Jaječická bitter water. She gained such fame that the first products of the nascent pharmacy, the so-called Sedlecké pills, were named after her. These were produced all over the world, even if they did not contain salts from Czech water at all. The popularity of drinking spa waters in Europe peaked at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, in the following century people gave their trust to artificial Spa springs are today called natural healing springs and are the property and natural wealth of the state. Under the supervision of the state report, they are used in spa houses and are available in pharmacies and shops.
