The thermal baths of Montecatini are famous for their waters. They are salt waters. alkaline sulphate, known since antiquity, and their use mainly concerns the gastrointestinal tract. Those who suffer from gastritis, difficult digestion, meteorism, reduced biliary and hepatic function, as well as all the pathologies of the colon, from the irritable colon to the diverticula and, above all, to constipation benefit.

The thermal waters of Montecatini since the fifteenth century have been constantly the subject of clinical research, even by prestigious Nobel prizes such as Madame Curie and Daniel Bovet.

Already in 1920, by Pietro Grocco was born in Montecatini, the Institute of Care for therapeutic testing of thermal waters and mud, then entrusted to Cesare Frugoni and then to Mariano Messini director of the School of Medical Hydrology of the University «La Sapienza» From Rome.

The research has been increasingly active until reaching the peak in the last decades of the last century with works that have shown the importance of our waters in diseases of the digestive tract and of the liver and also in the cholesterol dysmetabolism.

Very important is the therapeutic path that is identified, prescribed and controlled by the thermal doctor, who, taking into account the needs of the patient and his clinical condition, will know how to prescribe the type of water and the method of recruitment. At the end of the therapeutic cycle will be made a report that will evaluate the results achieved and will be important for any advice to maintain the benefits achieved.

Montecatini is one of the most famous spa resorts in Europe, its reputation is mainly due to the richness of thermal waters, each with its own chemical and physical properties and its therapeutic indications. Currently the waters therapeutically used are: Tettuccio, Regina, Rinfresco and Leopoldina. All waters can be used for drinking therapy and are classified as salso-sulphate-bicarbonatesodium.

The Leopoldina, thanks to its fixed salt residue, is considered strong water; the Regina is a medium water; the Tettuccio and Rinfresco are weak waters. All these waters are indicated to treat the digestive system pathologies, stomach and intestinal diseases and are also very useful in cases of liver and biliary tract diseases. The Leopoldina acts mainly at the intestinal level, both through the direct osmotic action (due to its high activity) either by stimulating the peristalsis. Therefore, it is particularly indicated in cases of chronic constipation.

The Regina, instead, acts primarily on biliary level with cholagogue, cholecystic and kinetic action.

It is indicated in cases of biliary dyskinesia (the so-called «french hepatic insufficiency») to prevent gallstones in cases of hepatitis and all other chronic liver diseases.

The Tettuccio has a saline composition which is almost identical to that of organic liquids, that is why it has a purifying action on the liver, it stimulates the gastric secretion and is useful in cases of hypercholesterolemia. It is indicated in hypersecretory gastritis, in dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and in dyslipidemias. The Rinfresco has a light diuretic action, stimulates the body toxin elimination. Moreover, it helps to restore the general balance of mineral salts thanks to its particular composition. The Leopoldina and Rinfresco waters are also used for the balneotherapy thanks to its draining capacity; with the adding of the ozone gas they are especially indicated in cases of peripheral vascular diseases: this gas has an anti-inflammatory effect on both venous and lymphatic level due to hypertonicity and alkalinity of the water.

The Leopoldina is also the liquid component of the thermal mud, used since ancient times in rheumatic articular and extra-articular chronic diseases, it is wildly used in rehabilitation and the consequences of fractures. Furthermore, the Leopoldina water is used for the inhalation therapy and in the deafness therapy. Due to its rich mineral salt composition, the water has the mucolytic, antibacterial and immunostimulant capacity at the high and lower respiratory system.

The Medical Direction