Drinking cure in Mariánské Lázně

 Mariánské Lázně boasts a wealth of natural healing resources. Especially mineral springs, and a specific sub-mountain climate are specific for the town. There are over 100 mineral springs in the vicinity of Mariánské Lázně.  Around 40 of them can be found in the town itself. 53 of them are captured and used for drinking cure.

The colonnades and gazebos covering the individual springs complete the picturesque spa atmosphere.

The fact that there is such a variety of different springs in close proximity in a small area is a balneological rarity not only in the Czech Republic but also in  Europe at all. Due to mineral springs, fountains and the amount of precipitation, the air is saturated with beneficial negatively charged ions. Two-hundred-year tradition of spas based on the healing power of springs proves its  positive effect  on human health.

  The healing effects of the springs were known to the monks of the Teplá monastery. They carried out the chemical analysis  of springs, and began to collect and use them for drinking cures and mineral baths. In 1818, the place was declared a public spa town, the first visitors began to arrive and the fame of the spa began to spread throughout the world. In addition to mineral waters, another natural healing resources  like  peloids  and natural healing gas - Maria's gas - were used for healing procedures.

Mariánské Lázně is the youngest spa town of  the famous West Bohemian spa triangle. The first spa season began in Mariánské Lázně at the beginning of the 19th century.

Thanks to the chemical diversity of the local springs, Mariánské Lázně is suitable for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Mineral springs
The temperature of all  mineral springs in Mariánské Lázně ranges from  7 ° to 10 ° C, so they are cold acid waters. 
For drinking cure is usually recommended  to drink around three quarters of a liter  a day. However, the amount of consumed mineral water varies according to the patient's diagnosis and condition. Moving  while drinking, walking around the colonnade, for example, is also very important. It  leads to prolonged diuresis, and this is especially desirable for the people suffering from urological diseases. Spa doctors  in the past recommended the rhythm of drinking - ten steps, one sip of water.
It is usually drunk before the meal, because the drinking on an empty stomach regulates the function of the stomach and intestines better than drinking after the meal.

Rudolf spring

Rudolf spring springed up in the meadows in Úšovice, named Luční. It was named after the Crown Prince waiting  for the Throne,  Francis Joseph the 1st - Rudolf. "Rudolfka" established the reputation of Mariánské Lázně as a spa town. Rudolf’s spring  has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used for kidney and urinary tract diseases. The spring has a high calcium content. Therefore the drinking cure serves as a suitable adjunctive therapy in the treatment of osteoporosis. One liter of this healing mineral water covers about 30% of the daily amount of calcium need. Therefore, Rudolf's spring is suitable for problems caused by osteoporosis and for some nerve and muscle problems. An equally important component of this healing water is magnesium, which has a beneficial effect in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and coronary sclerosis. The iron content in the spring is a valuable source of this element in the treatment of patients after operations and supports the treatment of anemia.
Where to find it: in the Rudolf's Spring pavilion in Úšovice Park, a spring to the Úšovický brook near the Rudolf's Spring Pavilion, or in the Křížový pramen pavilion on the main colonnade and in the Karolinina and Rudolf's Spring Small Colonnade (opposite the Casino Social House).

Karolina spring

In 1870, Karolina spring was named in a honor of the Emperor Francis the 1st wife, Karolina Augusta. It was originally named as  Nový spring.
Karolina spring is chemically natural light mineralized bicarbonate-magnesium-sodium-ferrous acid water. Due to its higher magnesium content (calcium to magnesium ratio is 2: 5), the spring is used in urological diseases, in the treatment of kidney stones. Magnesium counteracts the formation of these stones. Calcium and magnesium are considered to have anti-inflammatory effects. Karolina's spring is very popular as a refreshing one, especially in the summer.

Where to find it: Pavilion of Karolina Spring on the colonnade and Pavilion of the Cross Spring on the main colonnade.

Cross - Křížový spring

The most famous spring – Cross- Křížový spring - was originally called Slaný, as well as Ferdinand's spring at that time. The Cross spring itself was known in the past to all surrounding villagers and was called "Slaný" after its salty taste. It sprang from a hollow stump. Although the Cross Spring is not the oldest  one, it has achieved  world fame. In 1749, the annals of the Teplá monastery first mention the Cross spring as "salty sour". When Damián Schulz, a pharmacist from Teplá, made a high cross of carved beams near the Slaný spring in 1749, the spring got its name - Cross spring. Cross spring is a strongly mineralized chemically bicarbonate-sodium-sulfate-ferrous acid water. In the past, such acid waters were simply called "Glauber" or "Saline". The presence of sulphates in water causes the  laxative effect (when drunk  at least 3/4 liter per day).  The different effect depending on the temperature of the Cross spring is used as follows -warm water is recommended for diarrhea, cold against constipation. External application is also beneficial  - washing the face is suitable for acne. Spring water affects gastric and biliary secretion. For its therapeutic effect is used mainly in diseases of the digestive system (diseases of the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, liver and pancreas), prescribed for chronic diseases of the gallbladder, gallbladder inflammation, after hepatitis, etc. It is also used for metabolic diseases such as obesity, gout, diabetes mellitus and allergic diseases.

Where to find it: The Cross Spring pavilion on the main colonnade.

Ferdinand spring

 It has seven sources. The Ferdinand I spring is available for drinking cure. Ferdinand's springs originally formed a single spring, called Slaný or Úšovický. Later, the spring was named after the King Ferdinand. It was the first spring which attracted attention in the uninhabited, desolate landscape of border forests. From the 16th century. it was used several times to make salt - but with a negative result, as it was not table salt, but laxative salt.  Abbot Reitenberger had Classicist colonnade built above the spring, in 1826-27, instead of an old wooden hut. This colonnade is still a beautiful architectural monument fitting into the environment of spa parks. Ferdinand VI spring, gives ideal table mineral water due to the high content of absorbed CO2. It is filled exclusively in bottles under the name "Excelsior". Its composition corresponds to Ferdinand's spring Křížový pramen, but it is a bit more mineralized. It has a distinctly salty taste and is slightly laxative. The effects and the indications coincide with the Cross spring. It is an earthy ferric acid water with a lower content of minerals and a high content of calcium. The spring is fully used for drinking cures and for the preparation of baths.

 Where to find it: Colonnade of Ferdinand's spring in the spa park in Úšovice .

Ambrose spring

Ambrose spring was named after the enlightened abbot Jeronym Ambrož, who wanted to make these resources accessible to the sick. It is also called the spring of Love. With its high iron content, it once treated anemia, turning face pink.  Ambrose spring is a light mineralized ferric acid water, still used for its high iron content in some forms of anemia. It has also diuretic effects, good for treating some urological problems.

 Where to find it: in the park under the Centralní Lázně

Forest spring

 The forest spring is located in a picturesque corner of the Forest Park on the outskirts of the city. It is a representative of alkaline-saline-muriatic acid waters. With its iron and CO2 content, it is also one of the ferrous waters. The spring is used for drinking and gargling directly in the spring pavilion. It is also used for inhalations and for mineral baths. Its beneficial effect is used in respiratory diseases (chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis), in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also suitable for the treatment of certain urological diseases, such as urinary stones formed from uric acid.

Where to find the spring: Classicist pavilion by the Třebíz brook.

Maria spring

Maria spring is significant for Mariánské Lázně while it was the first spring  using for drinking cure even  before the spa  was founded.
The name Maria comes from a Marian painting that once hung over the spring.  It has an important place in the history of Mariánské Lázně, because it gave its name to the town.Maria's spring is not a traditional spring,as it is a unique natural gas, carbon dioxide. It is actually a powerful source of gas (99.7% CO2), which dissolves secondarily in surface water. It was called Stinky for its characteristic odor of traces of hydrogen sulfide. Today it is used for the preparation of dry carbon-dioxide baths, so-called gas envelopes and subcutaneous application for so-called gas injections. It lowers blood pressure, improves heart function, helps blood flow to the lower limbs, improves  sexual functions. It is used for diseases of the joints and spine, and ischemic heart disease.

Alexandra spring

 A mineral spring springs up in the park below the Cristal Hotel. The chemical composition is very similar to Ferdinand's spring. Alexandra spring is rich in sodium and sulphates.  Originally, due to its similarity to the Cross Spring, it was called "Mild Cross" or "Gentle Cross". It is prescribed in more sensitive patients with a tendency to diarrhea, who do not tolerate a stronger Cross or Ferdinand spring. The main indications are diseases of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and intestinal disorders.

Where to find it: at the beginning of the park below the Cristal Hotel.

Antoníček spring

Antoníček  spring  is situated  in the Úšovice pavilion. It flowed out anonymously for a long time. It got its name later. In 1790 the church of St. Antonín of Padua was built in Úšovice and its name was transferred to the spring. Spring was brought here during the First Republic from the forest above. It is a light mineralized ferric acid water used as a very tasty table water.

Where to find it: Modern gazebo (built in 1986 by architect M. Brix) at the final station of trolleybus no. 3 and 7 in Úšovice

New Maria spring

 New Maria spring is bottled as Aqua Maria table water.