Sulfur Mineral Springs Health Benefits & Mineral Water Contents

What are the health benefits of sulfur mineral springs?
Sulfur is excellent for your skin. For example, sulfur-based face cream is helpful during those acne-prone teenage years. The minerals in the waters at Wilbur have positive therapeutic effects on skin disease, women's diseases, asthma, neuralgia, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism and shoulder, neck and wrist pains. They also have a detoxifying and mucolytic effect. With regards to inhalation therapy, please read the following: Read more...

More information on Sulfur (Also spelled Sulphur)

Adapted from AlternativeDR.com

Sulfur is a mineral naturally occurring near hot springs and volcanic craters. The "rotten egg" smell of sulfur mineral baths is caused by sulfur dioxide gas escaping into the air. Sulfur has been used medicinally since ancient times, and it's contained in every cell in your body. It's a component of three different amino acids (the building blocks that make up protein). Approximately 0.25 percent of your total body weight is sulfur. It's most concentrated in keratin, which gives you strong hair, nails, and skin. And it's known as "nature's beauty mineral", because your body needs it to manufacture collagen, which helps with skin elasticity and keeps us young-looking.

Uses
Sulfur is primarily used to ease red, itchy skin. It also helps protect your body against toxins in the environment. In addition, people with arthritis may find pain relief from taking a soothing bath in hot sulfur springs.

In recent years, the benefits of garlic have been widely studied. Research suggests that the beneficial effects of garlic in lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure are likely due to the sulfur it contains.

Sulfur aids in certain digestive disorders, especially acid reflux, indigestion made worse by milk, chronic diarrhea and vomiting in the morning.

It can also help gynecological problems such as premenstrual syndrome and menopausal discomforts.

Dietary Sources
The elemental mineral form of sulfur is found in rocks near hot springs and volcanos. The form your body uses is found in protein-rich foods such as meat, organ meats, poultry, fish, eggs, cooked dried beans and peas, and milk and dairy products. Other good sources include garlic, onions, brussels sprouts, asparagus, kale and wheat germ.

Other Forms of Use
There are ointments, creams, lotions and dusting powders to ease skin rashes that contain sulfur as the active ingredient. If you suffer from arthritis, soaking in a natural sulfur bath (the kind usually found at hot springs) can greatly ease the pain in your joints. Talk to your health care provider to learn about the benefits from this type of therapy. Organic Sulfur (the kind our body uses) is available in the form of MSM (metylsulfonylmethane).

Sulfur is also available as a dietary supplement in tablets and capsules, however, you're likely already getting enough sulfur. If you eat a well-balanced diet that includes the recommended daily allowance of protein, you should get all the sulfur you need. Any extra sulfur will be excreted in your urine. Follow the advice of your health care provider before taking sulfur as a supplement.

How to Take Sulfur Supplements
If you have arthritis, an oral dose of 500 mg to 1,000 mg per day may decrease symptoms. Again, be sure to consult your health care provider before taking sulfur supplements.

Precautions
Sulfur by itself is not toxic to our bodies. However, some people are highly allergic to relatives of sulfur, such as sulfites and sulfa drugs. Sulfites are used as a food preservative and can trigger asthma and other allergic reactions in people who are sensitive. Sulfa drugs can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), skin rashes, high fever, headache, fatigue, and gastric problems. Tell your health care provider if you think you may be allergic to sulfur-containing substances.

Possible Interactions
No harmful drug interactions have been reported.

Wilbur Hot Springs Mineral Water Composition listed in parts per million.

Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey:
Chloride - 9810
Sodium - 9200
Carbonic Acid - 2040
Potassium - 445

Sulphate - 390
Boron - 280
Silicate - 131

Magnesium - 44

Lithium - 8.0
Calcium - 2.5
Flourine - 1.9
Iron - .16
Copper - .03
Manganese - .02
Cadmium - .02
Zinc .01
Ph - 8.0