Why are skunks indicated for cardiovascular diseases?
Have you ever visited a skunk? If not, I confess that I had the opportunity only once, in Covasna. I have known about them since my childhood, when my father, a cardiac patient, used to go to Covasna for treatment. But I didn't know much more and I wasn't concerned at the time.
Things were not the same after I had the opportunity to test the effect of such a skunk. I spent a few moments inside a skunk and was pleasantly surprised to see how good the warmth from the skunk is for the body. You immediately feel a wave of warmth in your legs, which gradually moves up to your upper body. O well-being it envelops you and... only you'll know once you've tested it.
Find out more about skunks from the experts!
Natural mofetele are gases resulting from natural post-volcanic emanations existing in certain areas of Romania, namely the Harghita volcanic massif, of which carbon dioxide is used as a therapeutic factor, existing in a proportion of 95 - 98%. In addition to carbon dioxide, the mofetarian gas also contains other volcanic emanation gases: ammonia, sulphur, helium and radon, in small quantities, which pulverize the CO2 molecules, increasing their penetration power.
In Romania, natural skunks exist in seaside resorts Covasna, Băile Tușnad, Balvanyos, Balnaș, Harghita Băi, Buziaș, Borșa, Sângeorz Băi.
Skunks, as natural phenomena, are very rare in Europe and worldwide. Apart from Romania, they are found only in Hungary, Grotta di Cani near Naples (Italy), Marienberg and Andernach in Germany, Tiskory Lanz in the Czech Republic, Jawa Island and Yellowstone Park in the USA.
Mofetotherapy is indicated in certain diseases, namely chronic peripheral arteriopathies stage 1, 2, and 3, arteritis, venopathies, leg ulcers, chronic stable ischemic heart disease, stable hypertension stage 1 and 2, dermatological, gynecological diseases, chronic degenerative rheumatism. However, the major indication for mofetil is in secondary prophylaxis and recovery from cardiovascular diseases.
Natural mofeta is believed to cause an increase in blood flow by the penetration of carbon dioxide through the skin, both through the integument and into the muscles. It acts directly on the smooth muscle of blood vessels, especially the very small vessels, the arterioles. This action is considered superior to peripheral vasodilator drugs.
During treatment, carbon dioxide is inhaled and dissolved plasmatically, but also absorbed through the skin with numerous effects on the body. Thus, at the level of peripheral circulation it causes a cutaneous hyperemia by direct action on the metaarteriol, with an increase in skin temperature by 1.5 - 4 degrees C and an increase in blood flow in skeletal muscle by 44%.
Balneotherapy treatments, by using natural factors, is based on the physical properties, temperature and chemical effects of mineral water, with mofeta also having indications in chronic heart disease. But new data are needed on their efficacy, safety and possible side effects.
The biological mechanisms by which the natural factors act and elicit immunologic and neuroendocrine responses are not yet fully understood. There are, however, studies that say that they have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anabolic, chondroprotective, neuroendocrine-immune regulating effects.
The Tușnad Baths an experimental study on the efficacy of mofeta treatment in ischemic heart disease was conducted. One of the most important factors leading to myocardial tissue damage in ischemic heart disease is increased oxidative stress and reduced protective effect of antioxidant mechanisms.
The study results showed positive effects of exposure to the treatment spa with the natural mofeta from Băile Tusnad, by reducing oxidative stress and significantly improving antioxidant status. These were determined by blood analysis, but also by the histologic structural changes observed, namely improvement of inflammatory infiltrate and repair of necrosis zones by collagen proliferation.
It is considered important to periodically analyze their physical and chemical properties, as they are natural mophets. Experimental studies on their biological effects and mechanism of action are also needed. But also further clinical studies on the therapeutic effect.
Whatever the results, you should know that skunks are coming to your rescue!
Gabriela Dogaru, Adriana Bulboaca, Lorena Ciumărnean, Vasile Rus, Adela-Viviana Sitar-Tăut, Constantin Munteanu, Gyorgy Bodisz, Ioana Stănescu. The effect of mofettes on oxidative stress/antioxidant balance in experimental myocardial ischemic. In Vivo. 2019; 33:1911-1920 doi:10.21873/invivo.11685
Dr. Gabriela Dogaru
Doctor Primary Recovery, physical medicine and balneology - Clinical Hospital of Recovery Clinic Cluj Napoca
First- Vice-President Romanian Association of Balneology
Vice-President of the Romanian Society of Physical Medicine, Recovery and Balneoclimatology
Primary Doctor Recovery, physical medicine and balneology - Clinical Hospital of Recovery Cluj Napoca, First Vice President Romanian Association of Balneology
