Therapeutic Mud Research Articles

Efficacy and Safety of Balneotherapy using Diverse Natural Resources in Lithuania: A Multicenter Study

Background: Balneotherapy or spa therapy, with its multimodal effects, has shown clinical efficacy in treating various pathological conditions. However, further studies are needed to assess its impact on mental health and to evaluate treatment safety. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different natural resources of the Lithuanian medical spa for stress-related disorders and skin health and to disclose the safety profile of using natural resources. Methodology. We performed a multicenter randomized controlled single-blinded study in 6 Lithuanian medical spas. The 1- 2-week treatment combining mineral water, therapeutic mud, and salt procedures was provided for the 364 participants with moderate stress levels and the effect was evaluated using surveys, instrumental, and laboratory measures. Results. The findings highlighted that the effects of BT using different natural resources significantly improve mental and skin health, as well as contribute to overall health status for up to 6 months. A significant reduction of anxiety, depression, and fatigue as well as improvement in sleep, skin moisture, subjective skin state, and integrative outcomes was achieved in all centers after treatment, while stress and saliva cortisol, working speed, skin oiliness, and elasticity improved in a few centers. A positive result was related to the duration of the treatment, and possibly- to the features of natural resources. Mineral water most commonly caused side effects; it varied among centers, however, they were predominantly local, mild, and transient. Conclusions. Balneotherapy using natural resources is effective for the enhancement of mental and skin health. Further research is necessary for a better understanding of the role of different natural resources on health status and safety profile. Keywords: balneotherapy, health, mental state, mineral water, natural resources, peloids, peloi-dotherapy, safety, spa therapy, skin

Technological study of kaolinitic clays from Fms. Escucha and Utrillas to be used in dermo-pharmaceutical products

The present study aims to evaluate five clay samples from different pits in the Teruel province, Spain. While these clays are primarily utilized as raw materials in ceramics, their potential applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic domains, notably in sun protection and thermal mud products, are under investigation. Characterization of these clays entailed X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, pH measurement, analysis of technological properties, rheological assessment, and thermal property evaluation. Furthermore, given the predominant composition of kaolin in most of the samples, their Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in suspensions and physical stability were assessed. The studied samples exhibited varied mineralogical compositions, primarily consisting of kaolinite (70% to 15%), quartz (75% to 5%), and illite (26% to 7%). The pH values of these dispersions closely matched the skin's pH, exhibiting anti-thixotropic behavior at 50% w/w and demonstrating suitable viscosity for skin application. Based on their composition and rheological properties, the samples exhibited potential for use as therapeutic thermal muds. Analyses of cooling kinetics were performed to validate this potential. Results showed that the dispersions systems attained temperatures between 33.89 °C and 34.62 °C within 20 min (the common application time for thermal muds) and reached 32 °C (skin temperature) in 24.3 to 26.22 min, confirming their appropriateness as therapeutic muds. The SPF values of the dispersions varied from 7.46 to 16.65, with the majority of samples showing significant stability during 45 h. Consequently, it can be inferred that most of the studied samples show advantageous characteristics for inclusion in topical formulations, especially in sun protection and thermal mud products.

МЕТОДЫ ОЦЕНКИ ОЗДОРАВЛИВАЮЩИХ ФАКТОРОВ САНАТОРНО-КУРОРТНОЙ СФЕРЫ

Background. Preventive measures aimed at preserving the health of the country's population should be based on health-resort rehabilitation and treatment using the healing factors of health resorts. In this regard, the study, from the point of view of a systematic approach, considers the data availability assessment of the health-improving factors that affect the activities of the health resort sector in the regions of the country with prioritization of the activities of health resort The purpose of the study is to establish the data availability assessment of health-improving factors that affect the activities of health resort organizations. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of the sources of official statistical data, the state cadastre systems of natural resources, the results of scientific research in the health resort sector and health resort organizations. The level of data availability assessment of the health-improving factors of health resorts is determined by the method of expert assessment. Results. It is proposed to take into account the system of healing factors affecting the health resort sphere in the following components: natural therapeutic potential (biomedical – meteorological characteristics, severity index, etc.) and natural resource – landscape conditions, mineral waters, therapeutic mud). Medical diagnostic and human resources potential is the medical and diagnostic base of health resorts, staff qualifications. Social and cultural potential is the quality of services provided for health resort treatment and rehabilitation, inextricably linked with social and cultural events, as well as the basis to carry out these events, and qualified staff of health resorts. The interrelation of the components is manifested in both internal and external relations of health resort organizations, awareness and degree of satisfaction with the services of health resort treatment of the population. Conclusion. The methods of assessing the healing factors are grouped, the methodology of an integrated approach – monitoring of health resort organizations and the possibility of establishing permanent contacts between healthcare institutions and health resorts of the country is proposed.

Сurrent state and prospects of the Sakhalin balneological potential in rehabilitation and health resort treatment

Aim. To assess the prospects for the use of mineral waters and therapeutic muds (peloids) of the Sakhalin region for treatment and prophylactic purposes on the basis of their balneological properties.Materials and methods. The results of balneological analyses of mineral waters and therapeutic muds of the island areas of the Sakhalin region and regulatory documents were used.Results. The mineral waters and therapeutic muds of the Sakhalin region as its major therapeutic resources are characterized. The main groups of mineral waters for internal and external use include siliceous thermal, iodobromic, arsenic, and boric waters. It is noted that unique deposits of Sakhalin-type mineral waters, such as acidic waters with a high content of metals, petroleum products, and organic substances, require additional research. The Sakhalin region is rich in all available types of therapeutic muds– silt sulfide, mound, peat, and sapropel.Conclusion. The Sakhalin region possesses a wide variety of balneological resources for health resort treatment and rehabilitation. Among them are the deposits of mineral waters and therapeutic muds that are promising for research and use in medical and wellness organizations.

Prospects for integrating the Far East recreational potential into the medical rehabilitation system

In this article, we generalize the results a research study into natural healing resources in the Far East. The regions of the Russian Far East possess a significant and unique natural potential for comprehensive medical rehabilitation. The main therapeutic resources of the area, including its climate, mineral waters, and therapeutic muds, are characterized. Issues associated with the task of integrated use of natural and physical resources in effective spa treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation are discussed. The major action mechanisms of natural therapeutic factors widely used in spa treatment are outlined, and the possibilities of their integration with the system of medical rehabilitation are substantiated.

Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of natural therapeutic mud of Kazakhstan salt lakes: a review.

In recent years, interest in natural therapeutic mud has been growing all over the world. This natural product has a positive therapeutic effect on the skin and has fewer side effects on the human body. There are more than 40 thousand salt lakes in Kazakhstan. Most of them have natural mud sources, the potential of which has not yet been fully explored. The review presents an analysis of the available information on the physical and chemical properties of the main sources of natural mud from salt lakes in Kazakhstan and Kazakh sanatoriums that use natural mud in the treatment. All available publications, presenting the systematic studies, were used for data analysis. A comparative analysis of the mineralization of water, brine, and silt in one reservoir shows that the mineralization of water is not always the least. The available data indicate a point and partial nature of peloid studies, e.g., inorganic composition of natural muds from Western and Southern Kazakhstan is well described in the literature. In turn, there is a lack of these data from Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan. Studies of peloids in these regions seem to be a promising direction of the future research for both local and world scientists. What is more, there is also a big gap in the analysis of organic matter of muds from the Kazakh lakes. Comparing the state of the art, i.e., the studies from other parts of Asia and Europe, the identification of the organic part of muds is another desirable direction as a potential source of biologically active compounds of natural origin.

STUDY OF SPECIES COMPOSITION OF ALGOFLORA FROM NATURAL THERAPEUTIC MUD IN ZHANAKORGAN DISTRICT

There is currently a global increase in interest in the use of natural therapeutic muds. Therapeutic mud is a natural product that has a beneficial therapeutic effect on the skin and a lower incidence of adverse effects on the human body. The object of the study was water from two wells and a medicinal swamp in the settlement of Zhanakorgan district of Kyzylorda region. The present study examined the species composition of microalgae and cyanobacteria in two wells and in therapeutic swamps within the settlement of Zhanakorgan district. The objective of this study was to examine the species diversity, morphological and cultural characteristics of cyanobacteria, green and diatom algae in the Zhanakorgan district settlement, and to introduce them into axenic cultures for storage in a collection for potential utilization in industrial biotechnology, in the pharmaceutics, as well as in textile and food industry due to their rich chemical composition. The study yielded seven new axenic cultures of cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms, which were identified as Dunaliella salina, Chlamydomonas sp., Scenedesmus sp., Trichormus variabilis, Calothrix epiphytica, Nostoc oryzae, Navicula sp.

Effectiveness of the use of peloidis in patients of reproductive age with chronic inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages

Aim: To study of the clinical effectiveness of the use of medicinal mud of the Shabolat estuary “Akvilon” in the complex treatment of chronic inflammatory processes of the uterine appendages in women of reproductive age. Materials and Methods: The prospective study was conducted of 40 patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the appendages (the main group) who were treated according to the proposed scheme with the addition of therapeutic mud “Akvilon” and 22 patients who made up the control group and were treated according to the generally accepted scheme. The level of gonadotropins and sex hormones, the biocenosis of the vagina and the intensity of the pain component were determined. Results: In patients who received the offered treatment scheme with the use of “Akvilon” therapeutic mud, the improvement in the general state of health, acceleration of the elimination of clinical symptoms of inflammation was revealed. The use of therapeutic mud made it possible to normalize the menstrual cycle, the biocenosis of the vagina, and reduce the pain component as a manifestation of the chronic inflammatory process. Conclusions: The use in women with chronic inflammatory diseases of the appendages in the complex treatment of natural mud “Akvilon” contributes to the rapid regression of clinical manifestations of the disease, in comparison with standard therapy. The use of the drug allows you to normalize the hormonal background, accelerate the recovery of the vaginal biocenosis, treat the sebaceous process, which in the future will contribute to the desired pregnancy. The obtained results testify to the effectiveness of the therapeutic mud “Akvilon” and justify the need to use this group of drugs for the treatment and rehabilitation of women with chronic inflammatory diseases of the appendages.

Озера Турано-Уюкской котловины: эколого-гидрохимическое состояние и перспективы их бальнеологического использования

Abstract. Relevance. Currently, the creation of new institutions for the health improvement of the population within the Republic of Tuva on the basis of natural objects is a very urgent issue. Objectives. In this regard, we considered the hydrochemical composition of the lakes of the Turano-Uyuk depression, their ecological state and prospects for balneological use. Materials and methods. During field studies, employees of the TuvIKOPR SB RAS examined the largest natural lakes of the Turano-Uyuk depression and tested them to determine the chemical composition of natural waters. Chemical analysis was carried out in the Problem Research Laboratory of the National Tomsk Polytechnic University. In addition to field studies, a comparative literary method was used. Publications on this topic were studied and a retrospective analysis of the chemical composition of the waters of the lakes of the Turano-Uyuk depression and mud deposits as a therapeutic factor was carried out. Results. The greatest prospects for balneological development are Lake Beloye (White Lakes), the waters of which, according to the "Classification of mineral waters and therapeutic muds..." (MU No. 2000/34), belong to group 7, the therapeutic effect of which is determined by the amount of mineralization and ion-salt composition. Conclusions. The climatic conditions of the Turano-Uyuk basin, the presence of brackish (mineral) water and mineral mud (subject to the study of their balneological properties) open up prospects for organizing a resort, a health resort, a health resort on the shores of the lake, subject to the coordination of economic (balneological) activities with the Ministry of Forestry and Nature Management of the Republic of Tyva.

Haloalkalitolerant Fungi from Sediments of the Big Tambukan Saline Lake (Northern Caucasus): Diversity and Antimicrobial Potential.

We have performed a characterization of cultivated haloalkalitolerant fungi from the sediments of Big Tambukan Lake in order to assess their biodiversity and antimicrobial activity. This saline, slightly alkaline lake is known as a source of therapeutic sulfide mud used in sanatoria of the Caucasian Mineral Waters, Russia. Though data on bacteria and algae observed in this lake are available in the literature, data on fungi adapted to the conditions of the lake are lacking. The diversity of haloalkalitolerant fungi was low and represented by ascomycetes of the genera Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chordomyces, Emericellopsis, Fusarium, Gibellulopsis, Myriodontium, Penicillium, and Pseudeurotium. Most of the fungi were characterized by moderate alkaline resistance, and they tolerated NaCl concentrations up to 10% w/v. The analysis of the antimicrobial activity of fungi showed that 87.5% of all strains were active against Bacillus subtilis, and 39.6% were also determined to be effective against Escherichia coli. The majority of the strains were also active against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, about 66.7% and 62.5%, respectively. These studies indicate, for the first time, the presence of polyextremotolerant fungi in the sediments of Big Tambukan Lake, which probably reflects their involvement in the formation of therapeutic muds.

Gamma-emitting radionuclides in therapeutic muds of the Euganean Thermal District (Padua, Italy)

Mud therapy is a therapeutic tool which uses natural materials available in the environment for healing purposes (clays and thermal water). The use of natural remedies increases the compliance to the cure, and their success is increasing in the last decades, all over the world. As natural matters, also muds have a wide range of composition, so, their use for healing requires appropriate knowledge.One of the most important world reference area for mud therapy has been accessed for sampling in different thermal centers (28) and also the exploiting site of raw clay has been studied. High resolution gamma spectrometry measurements have been acquired, compared with previous published data and discussed considering other compositional parameters.A clear increase of radionuclides of the 238U series characterize therapeutic muds respect to raw materials, 226Ra in particular. The scavenging of Ra from thermal waters is considered to occur after the precipitation of sulfate minerals (gypsum, barite) into the mud matrix, and several lines of evidence suggest that the repeated contact with thermal water (mud recycling) enhance the enrichment of Ra. A different scenario can be drawn for workers and for patients, as their contact with the mud is different for type and time. The dose arising from working in the area of therapeutic muds preparation and the dose to the skin of patients have been calculated.Even if Euganean therapeutic muds are richer in 226Ra respect to other similar materials, no radiological hazards emerged for workers who manage the preparation area, even in the most cautionary scenario. Also for patients, the contribution of Euganean mud therapy to the annual equivalent dose to skin is negligible, according to the cautionary elaboration done. Also considering literature data on the transcutaneous passage of chemical elements with geochemical affinity with Ra, no radiological hazard is detectable.

BENEFITS OF BALNEO AND MUD TREATMENT FOR LATE SEQUENCES OF COVID-19

Balneotherapy is one of the most used therapies, where natural factors are applied for treatment and prevention. It is used in various pathological conditions, with evidence of a good effect in rheumatic and neurological diseases, and in recent years also in patients recovering from COVID-19. The therapeutic factors that are used include: natural mineral or thermal waters, natural peloids (mud) and other environmental therapeutic factors. The pandemic of COVID-19 turned out to be a significant factor that led to changes in lifestyle and habits and, accordingly, the use of balneotherapy procedures for prevention and treatment. Balneotherapy (SPA-therapy) is recommended by the European SPA association after COVID-19, for better recovery of health and limitation of long-term symptoms in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). It is suggested that balneo-climate-treatment can improve lung function, increase the physical activity capacity and the performance of therapeutic exercises as well as the quality of life of patients in the recovery phase after COVID-19. The purpose of the present review is to investigate the benefits and effectiveness of both balneo and mud therapy in patients with long-term post-COVID-19 sequelae. Materials and methods: For the purpose of the present study, a review was made of the known scientific articles published in the world databases (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Science Direct Web of Science, Scopus, and literary sources in Cyrillic). The results were searched for the following keywords: post-COVID-19 condition, long-term effects of COVID-19, post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), rehabilitation, balneotherapy, SPA therapy, peloidotherapy, mud treatment, lye therapy, treatment with Rapa (highly concentrated solution of salts (most often NaCl)). Results: The review of the scientific literature published in specific medical journals found evidence for the therapeutic effectiveness and benefits of balneo and mud therapy in patients with long-term consequences of COVID-19. The described application methods are characterized by variety in the application methodology, both for external (baths, bathtubs, showers, therapeutic SPA applications) and for internal application (mainly through inhalations). On the other hand, different recommendations were found regarding the type and chemical characteristics of mineral (thermal) water and therapeutic mud that are preferred for therapy. Overwhelmingly, studies recommend combining balneo (SPA) and mud therapy with resort and climate treatment, moderate physical activity and a dietary regimen tailored to the individual characteristics of patients. Conclusion: Balneo (SPA) treatment, therapies with natural and preformed physical factors could have a preventive role, in order to improve the body’s reactivity to the adverse factors of the external environment and pathogenic microorganisms and to increase insusceptibility to infectious diseases.

Assessing radonotherapy effectiveness and modulated steroidogenesis in experimental chronic endometritis model

Aim: to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and modulated steroidogenesis after radon therapy in experimental chronic endometritis model.Materials and Мethods. A therapeutic effect related to radon mineral waters was studied experimentally. The water radon concentration was 5.4–6.2 nCi/dm3. The experimental endometritis was induced in laboratory Wistar line rats (n = 40) inoculated with intra-uterine self-fecal suspension. Experimental group animals (n = 10) received a wide-spectrum antibiotic Ceftriaxone within 7 days followed by applying 10 procedures of radon therapy one a day and from day 41, the first procedure lasting 5 minutes, the second – 8 minutes, the third – 10 minutes, with all other procedures – for 15 minutes. Comparison group I animals (n = 10) received antibacterial therapy, radon therapy and 10 procedures of peloid therapy with natural salt-saturated medium sulfide silt therapeutic mud according to a radon therapy regimen. Сomparison group II (n = 10) received antibacterial and peloid therapy according to comparison group I regimen. Control group (n = 10) received no treatment. Inflammatory signs were assessed by endometrium histology study. The venous steroid hormones levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results. In experimental vs. control group, it was found that endometrial diffuse infiltrate was of lower density comprising 125.4 ± 8.1 vs. 180.7 ± 9.0 immunocompetent cells (by 30.7%; p = 0.002), whereas in comparison group I, density of inflammatory infiltration was minimal (reduced by 88.7 % compared to control group; p < 0.001) and reached 20.5 ± 1.8 cells. In the experimental group as well as comparison groups I and II vs. control group, a significant increased level of serum progesterone was observed after treatment (p = 0.008). When using a radon therapy in experimental group, it resulted in a more prominent rise in progesterone level compared to peloid therapy in comparison group II. Radon balneotherapy was found in main control group to elicit a significant declined estradiol level (p = 0.008), but not in comparison groups I and II featured with no significant change in estradiol level compared to control group.Conclusion. Radon therapy exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in experimental chronic endometritis model. Radon therapy combined with peloid therapy has a potentiated effect. The use of radon balneotherapy is accompanied by significantly increased progesterone and decreased estradiol level suggesting to conduct clinical trials for confirming its effectiveness in patients with reproductive dysfunction including diseases accompanied by hyperestrogenism.

Changes in hydrocarbons and elemental distribution in peloids during maturation processes (Sečovlje Salina Nature Park Slovenia)

In Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, the therapeutic mud matured in the natural sedimentary environmental site. This work aimed to determine the influence of the peloid maturation process on the hydrocarbon and elemental distributions, as well as changes in morphology. For this purpose, the sample before and after maturation was examined using various methods.n-Alkanes were the most abundant among saturated hydrocarbons in both immature and mature peloid samples. The results showed that the maturation mainly influenced the change in distribution and concentration (from 378 to 1958 ppm) of n-alkanes. The organic matter (OM) of the immature peloid sample was characterized by a slight prevalence of long-chain and odd carbon-numbered n-alkanes, maximizing at n-C27. However, mature peloid's OM showed a similar share of short-, mid- and long-chain n-alkanes with a slight dominance of short-chain members, maximizing at n-C16. The origin of short-chain and even carbon-numbered n-alkanes was attributed to microbial precursors (e.g., Leptolyngbyaceae).Hopanes were considerably more dominant compared to steranes in both peloids. The hopane series of immature peloid was characterized by the dominance of 22,29,30-trinor-hop-5(6)-ene (C27 hopene), as well as the presence of C30-hop-22(29)-ene (diploptene), which are widespread in cyanobacterial species. The aromatic fraction of immature peloid pointed to the predominance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As peloid aging progressed, the sample was richer in methyl-branched alkanes, carboxylic acids, their methyl esters, and thermodynamically more stable hopanes and steranes.The presence of elements with toxicological relevance during maturation was reduced below the limits prescribed in most of the directives for cosmetic products. It specifically refers to: As, Ni and Se. A higher concentration of total sulfur in the mature peloid can be related to gypsum precipitation in the summer and/or more intensive microbial activity.

Assessment of barium diffusion from therapeutic mud wrapped in micro-perforated polyethylene bags towards the human organism

Barium is present within the clay-derived therapeutic mud packs deposed on the patient's skin for treating some rheumatologic conditions. We studied in twenty-four young healthy volunteers the diffusion of Ba from mud wrapped in micro-perforated polyethylene bags and soaked in mineral water. No significant systematic increase in plasma or urine Ba levels was evidenced when comparing pre- and post-treatment samples using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. These levels were markedly inferior to the recommended thresholds in nearly all the participants. Noticeably variability in blood and especially urine Ba concentrations was large and mainly explained by environmental exposure (alimentation). Interestingly, we evidenced an intense Ba accumulation within the therapeutic mud at the end of the regimen. Because we chose a clay with one of the highest Ba content available in France for medical therapy and participants with an optimal transcutaneous diffusion capacity (young individuals with low-fat mass), we conclude unambiguously that there is no risk of Ba overexposure in patients receiving pelotherapy according to the procedure used in French medical spas.

Microbiome of therapeutic muds used in Tatarstan

To characterize the microbiome of therapeutic muds, used in the Tatarstan Republic, by identifying spectrum of cultivated microorganisms, using molecular analysis of bacterial communities, and by determining their biodiversity and functional potential based on revealed genetic determinants. The study design of 5 peloids samples (local sapropels and peat deposits of swamp; 3 samples of Crimean sulfide muds) included three main techniques: isolation and taxonomic determination of cultivated microorganisms by time-of-flight mass-spectrometry; molecular analysis of peloids bacterial communities by 16S RNA high-throughput sequencing; identification of functional profiles of communities by their genetic determinant using Global Mapper tool on iVikodak platform. Experimental studies have confirmed the safety of examined peloids, where non-pathogenic cultivated bacteria belonging mainly to Bacillus and Rhodococcus genera were dominant. Metagenomic analysis showed that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were predominant in all samples in different ratios. It has been established, that there is both the internal biodiversity of each sample and difference between them. The functional profile of microbial communities was determined based on the identification of bacterial genes. It has been revealed that all communities have an ability to synthesize antibiotics, as well as to decompose dangerous xenobiotics - polyaromatic hydrocarbons, cyclic compounds, and dioxins. Various microbial communities, which were identified in the therapeutic muds, contribute both to the clearance of toxicants in the peloids and to the antibacterial properties of the latter. The obtained priority results create a fundamental basis for the subsequent study of the role of peloids' microbiome of different origin in their healing action.

Natural resource factors in assessing the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sector of the Carpathian region of Ukraine

The article examines how natural conditions and resources influence the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sector of the Carpathian region of Ukraine. It highlights the methodological approaches to their assessment in the system of competitiveness factors in the studied sector of the regions on a national level. To calculate the competitiveness indices, the following dominant indicators are suggested: forested areas, mountainous areas, objects in the nature reserve fund, UNESCO World Heritage sites, medicinal mineral waters, deposits of therapeutic mud, ozokerite, lakes and estuaries with therapeutic brine, density of the river system, area of lakes, ponds and reservoirs, availability of sea beaches, number of hunting sites on the territory of hunting grounds. In addition to the partial indices for Ukraine’s regions based on individual indicators of natural resource factors, integral indices of regions are calculated. According to the indicators of integral indices of the impact of natural resource factors on the competitiveness of the tourism and recreation sector, the rating of the oblasts of the Carpathian region is determined, in particular: Zakarpatska (4.3) and Lvivska (3.4) oblasts are ranked first and second, Ivano-Frankivska – fifth (3.1), and Chernivetska – seventeenth. In general, natural conditions and resources offer significant competitive advantages to the region’s oblasts in providing wellness, tourism and wellness (especially in Lvivska and Zakarpatska oblasts), tourism and recreation, and tourism and sports services, particularly in skiing. The article reveals that the combination of natural conditions and resources available in the Carpathian region provides significant competitive advantages for its oblasts in the tourism and recreation sector at the national level.

Criminal law regulation of traditional medicine methods of healing according to the legislation of Russia

It is worth noting that in modern society, traditional medicine methods are still used. In this regard, a detailed definition of the criminal-legal limits of the practical implementation of healing methods within the framework of traditional medicine should be determined not only at the level of medical rules, but also in the relevant, in our case, criminal legislation. The article describes the practical methods of healing in the framework of traditional medicine, such as herbalism, the use of mineral waters and therapeutic mud, bloodletting, folk hygiene, etc. It is also noted that healing based on folk medicine methods can be socially harmful. Accordingly, the criminal legal limits of the implementation of appropriate medical manipulations on the basis of Russian criminal legislation are considered here.

Hydrography, hydrochemistry and composition of sapropel of Shatsk Lakes

The purpose of the study presented in the article is to implement modern hydrographic characteristics of freshwater of the Shatsk Lakes (28 lakes in Volyn Polissya, Ukraine) by typing water bodies according to the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, assessment of the chemical composition of lake water and bottom sediments (sapropel), determination of the opportunity for their recreational use in the special status of the district as a national park. Despite the presence of the two large lakes (Svityaz – 26.2 km 2 and Pulemetske – 15.5 km 2), very small lakes with a water surface area of less than 0.5 km 2 (64%) are dominating in the Shatsk group. Mineralisation of calcium-hydrocarbonate lake waters is 115–303 mg∙dm –3 and calcium-sulphate aqueous extract of sapropel is – 318–1451 mg∙dm –3. Using a Piper diagram, it was found that there is genetic homogeneity between surface and groundwater, indicating a significant share of groundwater in the water supply of lakes. There are eight species of sapropel deposits in 19 lakes of the district. A wide range of chemical composition and physical and mechanical properties of sapropel deposits of the Shatsk Lakes allow us to consider them as an important resource for agriculture and industry. We found that sapropel from Shatsk Lakes meets the requirements for therapeutic mud and can be used for therapeutic and health purposes.

The environmental assessment of the specially protected natural area «Lake Dus-Khol» due to its recreational use

This paper deals with the field integrated geo-environmental research of lake Dus-Khol in the summer of 2021. Under the leadership of the Tuvan Scientific Center in the context of project to identify maximum permissible and optimal recreation load on the specially protected natural area the study collected and updated data on the number of visitors and the condition of the coastal ecosystem health. Lake Dus-Khol is located in Tandinsky kozhuun of the Republic of Tuva, 3 km away from lake Hadyn. Dus-Khol is one of the most visited lakes in the Republic of Tuva. The main attractions are therapeutic mud, high-quality rapa, heliotherms, and drinking mineral waters. A regime of regional specially protected natural area has been introduced on the territory of the lake, the main goal is to preserve natural wetland complexes in their natural state and protect them from the negative effects of anthropogenic and man-made factors. Based on the data obtained, the types of recreation, the values of recreational load and the degree of recreational digression of the ecosystem are determined. The forms of recreation, recreation load values and recreation degree of ecosystem were identified based on the received data. The ways of optimizing recreational nature management on the lake were proposed. The visitors were counted by route counting method during the peak season. Data on the types and scale of recreational activities, as well as the degree of recreational digression of natural complexes of the coast were carried out by visual assessments and surveys.