Types of Medicinal Water

Explore Europe's Healing Waters

Healing waters (suitable for drinking cures) are natural mineral waters that have beneficial effects on health when consumed internally. These waters can be classified into several types based on their composition – here is a list of the most common types of healing waters:

💧 Alkaline-Bicarbonate Waters

Main components: Sodium, bicarbonate

Effects:

  • Excess stomach acid
  • Gastric and intestinal inflammation
  • Acid reflux, bloating

Examples: Salvus water (Bükkszék, Hungary), Parád sulfurous healing water (Hungary), Vichy Célestins (France), Borjomi (Georgia), Apollinaris (Germany)

Available fountains in our database:
🧂 Chloride (Saline) Healing Waters

Main component: Sodium chloride

Effects:

  • Digestive stimulant
  • Improves gallbladder and liver function
  • Loss of appetite

Note: Primarily recommended for short-term cures!

Examples: Balf healing water (Hungary), Hunyadi János water (Hungary), Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), Baden-Baden (Germany), Montecatini Terme (Italy)

Available fountains in our database:
🌬 Carbonated Waters

Main component: Carbon dioxide

Effects:

  • Appetite enhancing when consumed before meals
  • Aids digestion

Examples: Parád Csevice (Hungary), Füred healing water (Hungary), San Pellegrino (Italy), Gerolsteiner (Germany), Perrier (France), Acqua Panna (Italy)

Available fountains in our database:
🧪 Sulfurous Healing Waters (also for drinking cures)

Main component: Hydrogen sulfide

Effects:

  • Improves bile and liver function
  • Stimulates metabolism
  • Lowers blood sugar levels

Examples: Parád sulfurous water (Hungary), Bad Gögging (Germany), Pistyan (Slovakia), Aix-les-Bains (France), Hévíz (Hungary)

Available fountains in our database:
🩸 Ferrous Healing Waters

Main component: Dissolved di- or trivalent iron

Effects:

  • Anemia
  • Iron deficiency conditions

Best absorbed on an empty stomach

Examples: Parád Csevice (Hungary), Bükk iron sources (Hungary), Levico-Vetriolo (Italy), Spa (Belgium), Bad Pyrmont (Germany)

Available fountains in our database:
🧬 Iodine Waters (less commonly used for drinking cures)

Main component: Iodide

Effects:

  • Supports thyroid function (only in case of iodine deficiency!)
  • Has disinfectant properties

Examples: Salsomaggiore Terme (Italy), Bad Hall (Austria), La Toja (Spain), Woodhall Spa (United Kingdom)

Available fountains in our database:
🍵 Bitter Waters

Main components: Glauber salt (Sodium sulfate) or Epsom salt (Magnesium sulfate)

Effects:

  • Stomach, intestinal, liver, and gallbladder conditions
  • Laxative effect

Examples: Hunyadi János water (Hungary), Ferenc József water (Hungary), Mira (Hungary)

Available fountains in our database:
🪨 Earthy, Calcareous Waters

Main components: Calcium and magnesium compounds

Effects:

  • Against stomach and intestinal inflammation
  • For urological conditions

Examples: Transdanubian springs (Hungary), Budapest medicinal waters (Hungary)

☢️ Radon Waters

Main component: Radon gas

Effects:

  • Pain relief
  • Vasodilatory effect

Rare water type!

Examples: Hévíz (Hungary), Eger (Hungary), Budapest - Rudas, Gellért (Hungary)

Available fountains in our database:

⚠️ Important:

  • Drinking cures should only be done for a limited time and under medical advice.
  • Excessive consumption of certain healing waters (e.g., those with laxative effects) can be harmful.

🏥 Health Advice for Medicinal Water Consumption

👨‍⚕️ Medical Supervision

Medicinal waters should only be consumed regularly or for extended periods under medical supervision. Always consult your doctor before starting a water cure!

⏱️ Limited Duration

Most medicinal water cures last for 3-4 weeks. Longer consumption is not recommended without medical oversight.

🧖‍♀️ External Application

Medicinal waters are particularly used externally for post-operative treatment and rehabilitation, usually combined with other therapies (e.g., physiotherapy, electrotherapy, therapeutic massage).