The therapy is based on drinking mineral water 1-3 times a day in the amounts recommended by a physician. The drinking therapy affects the body based on the mineral water temperature, chemical composition and its amount. The effects of the therapy naturally depend on the selected mineral water. The therapy stimulates the kidneys and has beneficial effects on peristalsis. Drinking mineral water before meals increases its effects and leads to better absorption of minerals. Another beneficial effect of the drinking therapy is the induction of the right fluid intake. The habit or regular fluid intake in the relaxing atmosphere of the spa is then easily transferred to your everyday life. The overview of in individual healing springs of Mariánské Lázně and its effects is given below.
Healing springs
About one hundred mineral springs containing carbon dioxide and mineral salts rise in the town and its surroundings rise . These are cold ferrous mineral waters. The main 6 mineral springs are used for the purposes of drinking therapy: The Cross (Křížový), Rudolph, Caroline, Forest (Lesní), Ambrose and Ferdinand Spring
1. Maria Spring
The spring according to which the town of Mariánské Lázně (Maria’s Spa) was named after is in fact a dry spring (so called “mofette”) of carbon dioxide which dissolved in shallow underground water. The pavilion containing the spring is currently not accessible to the public and is used by the Maria Spa hotel.The gas is used for dry carbonated baths and has beneficial effects of heart diseases, increases blood pressure and blood supply of lower extremities. It is also applied in the form of subcutaneous injections in diseases of joints, spine and ischemic heart disease.
2. The Cross Spring (Křížový pramen)
This spring is sulphate-bicarbonate-sodium ferrous mineral water with high concentrations of metaslicic acid. It used to be called the Glauber’s or the Saline mineral water. It is the oldest and longest-used spring in the city. The Cross Spring Pavilion was originally built in 1818 and was renovated between 1911 and 1980. Cross Spring Pavilion is open daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm.The sulphates in water have a laxative effect, therefore it is primarily used to treat gastrointestinal diseases (diseases of the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas), metabolic disorders (obesity, gout, diabetes) and allergies that are caused by digestion disorders.
3. Caroline Spring
The spring was discovered in 1809 and in the past the mineral water was drank straight from the spring. In 1817, the spring was named Caroline Spring in honour of the wife of Emperor Franz I. – Empress Caroline Augusta. Nowadays, you can taste this mineral water every day at Caroline Spring Colonnade located directly beneath the Roman Catholic Church.This spring has a higher content of magnesium (calcium to magnesium ratio is 2:5) and it is therefore used to treat various urological diseases as well as kidney stones, it is also suitable for replenishing magnesium in the body. It is recommended for muscular fatigue and pains of the musculoskeletal system.
4. Rudolph Spring
Rudolph Spring is a natural ferrous acidulous water with diuretic effects. It was originally called the Meadow Spring as it often rose in meadows. Later on it was called Rudolph Spring in honour of the prince royal. The Rudolf Spring Pavilion can be found in the park near Ferdinand Spring. The pavilion is open in summer daily from 6:30am to 5:00pm. Rudolph Spring can also be found in the Cross Spring Pavilion and in the Caroline Spring Pavilion.It is characterized by a high content of calcium, the calcium and magnesium ratio being 5:4 and it is therefore especially suitable for complementary treatment of osteoporosis. It is most often used to treat diseases of kidneys and the urinary tract. It has anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects.
5. Forest Spring (Lesní pramen)
It rises in the northern part of the spa park near the Třebízského stream. A wooden pavilion was built over the spring in 1830. In 1840, Abbot Mahr demolished the original pavilion and replaced it with a ring temple with 16 Corinthian style columns. The pavilion got its today’s Classical style appearance in 1869. The pavilion is open daily in summer from 6:30am to 12:00 and from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.Due its composition, this mineral water makes the contents of the stomach slightly alkaline and is therefore suitable for the treatment of various diseases of the digestive tract,. It is used in the form of gargling, irrigation and inhalation to treat the disease of the upper respiratory tract.
6. Ambrose Spring
The spring was named after the Abbot of the Monastery of Teplá, who sought to make the spring accessible to the diseased. It also used to be called the Spring of Love. In 1812 the spring was covered by a wooden pavilion in the Empiric style, then replaced by a neogothic ornamented wooden pavilion, which was used until 1925, when the spring area was modified to its present form. The spring is accessible daily in the summer.With its high content of iron, it is used to treat some forms of anaemia and since the spring have diuretic effects it is also used to treat the diseases of kidneys and the urinary tract, in particular to in the treatment of lithiasis.
7. Ferdinand Spring
The Ferdinand Spring is the oldest mineral spring in the territory of Mariánské Lázně. It was named in honour of the Habsburg ruler Ferdinand I, during whose reign the spring was discovered. The Empire style colonnade, where you can taste the spring, was built in 1827. The springs at the colonnade are accessible daily in the summer months.This spring consists of a total of seven springs, however, only the the spring Ferdinand I is used for the drinking therapy. It is especially suitable for the treatment of diseases of the digestive system and metabolism.
8. Alexandra Spring
The newly built pavilion of the Alexandra Spring can be found at the beginning of the spa park under the Butterfly Hotel. It was named after the Grand Duchess Alexandra of Mecklenburg, who visited the spa. The chemical composition and the taste is very similar to the Rudolf Spring.
9. Balbín Spring
The Balbín Spring rises in the forest north of Mariánské Lázně. It has been supplied to the centre of town since 2013 and the spring is available at the small square in front of the Bohemia Hotel. It was named after the spa doctor Bohuslav Balbín who carried out research on the local mineral waters in 1679. The spring is freely accessible. Balbín Spring is slightly mineralized ferrous mineral water. It improves blood circulation in the body, periphery and internal organs. It is highly recommended for cardiovascular system. It is used for mineral baths due to its high content of mineral salts and humic acids. It is not used for the mineral water drinking therapy, however, it may be used as drinking mineral water.
