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Chemical properties of peat with

balneological potential in Estonia

Department of Mining

Tallinn University of Technology

Mall Orru, Heli Milvek, Vivika Väizene

2013 Washington

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Balneological peat

• Peat and various peat preparations have

been successfully used in the

balneological practice of clinical medicine

cause its curative effects

• Balneological peat has physical effect

through temperature and biochemical

effect through bioactive substances

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Balneological peat in Estonia

• The main aim of the study was to

make presumptions through

research and clinical trials to utilise

domestic peat in balneology

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Study areas

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Taking samples with a hand auger

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Technical and botanical analyses

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Chemical analyses

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1,30-1,80 1,80-2,30 2,30-2,80 0,70-1,75 0,50-1,00 1,00-1,50

Kõverdama Parika Sangla

Co

nte

nt

(%)

Humic acid Hymatomelanic acid *Fulvic acid

* Pure fulvic acid, where during the analysis low molecular fractions and soluble salts

are separated

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Chemical analyses 2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0,80-1,35 1,35-1,60 0,50-0,80 0,80-1,35 1,10-1,40 1,40-1,70 0,75-1,25 1,20-1,60

Larvi Hõreda Oese

Con

ten

t (%

)

*Humic acid **Fulvic acid

*The content of humic acid consists also hymatomelanic acids what wasn’t

measured separately

** The fulvic acid consists also low molecular fraction and soluble salts

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Trace elements

• The content of 34 trace elements where analysed in the laboratory of Geological Survey of Finland:

– IPC-MS method – As, Ag, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Cr, Cu, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, U, V, Zn;

– IPC-AES method – Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si, Ti;

– sulphur analyser – the content of sulphur

• The concentrations were lower, compared to the previous trace elements studies in Estonia

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Parika peat

Medical trials

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Study group

• Patients with Heberden-Bouchard

disease (Osteoarthrosis deformans)

in hands:

– deformation or paint at least 2 PIP or

DIP joints;

– deformation in both hands;

– patients did not use other medications

or physiotherapy;

– clay will be used as control treatment.

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Patients

• From 23 patients, who started peat treatment – 4 uncompleted:

– skin hypersensibility (vitligo);

– blood pressure increase;

– bad feeling (allergy);

– intensification of synovitis.

• Control treatment with clay in progress

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Methodology

• The natural moist fined peat was used

• Peat was heated in thermostat until 42 oC

• Hands put to the plastic bag, filled with

peat emulsion

• The wrap was covered with blanket

• Treatment time 10x30 minutes

– Occurred problems

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Testing of treatment results

• The minimal distance between III finger

and the centre of the palm (cm)

• Hand dynamometry (kg)

• Visual-analogue scale (pain)/ 0-4 points

with ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and

Health)

• X-ray or visual assessment of

deformations

• The evaluation of disability by patients

themselves

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Pain

0

1

2

3

4

1 3 5 7 9

11

13

15

17

19

ICF

sc

ale

Before

After

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Mobility of finger joints

0

1

2

3

4

1 3 5 7 9

11

13

15

17

19

ICF

sc

ale

Before

After

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Minimal distance between III

finger and the centre of the palm

0

1

2

3

4

1 3 5 7 9

11

13

15

17

19

ICF

scale

Before

After

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Catching

0

1

2

3

4

1 3 5 7 9

11

13

15

17

19

ICF

scale

Before

After

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Conclusion

• We found in Estonia peat suitable

for balneological purposes up to 1

million tonnes

• The clinical trials of Parika peat

balneological treatment for

Heberden-Bouchard disease

patients show slight improvement of

symptoms

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Conclusion

• Interest for using peat in balneology is very

large in Estonia

• Successful results are in SPA´s, hair

treatment, rehabilitation, skin disease

treatment, in home conditions and

cosmetics salongs.

• During Museum Night in Department of

Mining Institute over 500 people visited the

exhibition of peat balneology. The authors of

the report gave the advices.

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Thank you

& use peat!

mall.orru@ttu.ee

helimilvek@gmail.com

vivika.vaizene@ttu.ee

mailto:mall.orru@ttu.eemailto:helimilvek@gmail.commailto:vivika.vaizene@ttu.ee