Revitalized

My followers of this blog will know that I like to highlight the odd mud bath here and there. Especially the natural mud bath culture seems very close to that of natural hot springs. 

On another blog post (Jan. 1, 2013) I have even created a European overview of private but more public mud (and assorted) holes.

If I think about it, I've been to a fair number of mud / clay baths. For instance: Vulcano, Menschel / Bad Sobernheim, Espalmador and Pantelleria, to name a few.

Northeast Spain, Catalunya (Cataluña) and especially the Baix Empordà area is known for it's clay properties, especially the town of La Bisbal d'Empordà is abundant with Terracotta ceramics derived from the local red argila clay sources found in the surrounding Les Gavarres.

Very worthwhile is a visit to the Terracotta Museum. It highlights the local history of gathering clay, stratifying this and it's use for industrial and artistic purposes. Upstairs are artistic exhibitions (the latter, see below). 

But none of this seems to have resulted in a culture which highlights the beneficial qualities of clay and bathing. It's all industrial and/or ornamental.

But not far from La Bisbal d'Empordà, close to the coast, there's a rustic place that has been offering clay baths / clay bathing for years. Sanamolls. Though initially emphasis was on the clay bathing, in recent years the center is developing with more holistically therapies.

What can be said about the clay used?

From the Sanamolls website and translated:

'The therapeutic properties of clay are many and already known, as well as used since ancient times. To mention a few, we will say that clay is remineralizing, vasodilating or vasoconstricting, depending on whether hot water or cold water is used respectively. Among the most well-known properties are absorbent, thanks to its porous nature. Clay is also disinfectant, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory - it helps to heal inflamed joints, bruises and fractures - it is very useful to eliminate accumulated tensions.

As for the skin, it stimulates its functions, leaving it after its application, firm, soft and without impurities, since among its benefits it stands out that it has revitalizing and restorative effects, as well as promoting purification by draining toxins.

The general effect is that of having performed a peeling. "The sine qua non of bathing is pleasure: feeling better after bathing than you did before" Leonard Koren. Cote Framis planted the first tree in SANAMOLLS 30 years ago. Today there is a small oasis of aromatic plants, fruit trees, garden and native trees...

With patience, constancy and enthusiasm, Cote has created a space for long-term activities dedicated to contact with nature and health'.

Sanamolls also has / had a blogspot page. 

Both pages are full of photo's (such as above) which should give you an impression of what to expect.

There are some press snippets.

Dairi de Girona (20 Aug. 2011), translated:

'An unknown place in the surroundings of the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park offers the opportunity to relax in the open air, but in an original way: by immersing yourself in the pasty mixture of water and mud. It is otherwise known as a "clay bath".

...

The beginnings of these geotherapeutic pools go back to the year 2000, when Framis and the other colleagues of the Association created a small mud bath in the area If you want a bath that acts as a natural peeling, without chemical components and that is revitalizing for your skin, don't hesitate. But prepare yourself.And how does a mud bath take place?

...

Cote Framis, who In 2007 he published his first and only book, entitled The healing power of clay. According to the naturopath, it is a bath that regenerates the skin and even the hair. So what was an experience?

Que.es (29 Jul. 2022) translated:

'Sanamollos is an NGO that has created a large natural space near the Aiguamolls de L'Empordà Natural Park, where there are open-air mud baths that attract many visitors. The clay is scented with natural aromas and has purifying, antibacterial and softening properties. Visitors who wish to do so can complete their treatment with different types of massages and other natural therapies. In this case, an entrance fee must be paid'.

Having had phone contact prior, we arrived just around midday, an appointment had been made.

First off, a massage, though Cote (manager of Sanamolls) noted that usually the experience should be the other way around. 

With the excellent massage behind us, we took to the clay bath, which had been prepared. Not too cool (air temperature was 22C) one slathers oneself in the clay / mud. And relax. The clay dry's out, one can roll around on soil to enhance the process. Then rinse.

Google reviews (just 16!) rate this 4.8 out of 5. Not bad apparently.

When you make a visit to Sanamolls, also include a visit to Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park, a very worthwhile experience, cool, many birds to be observed.

joan_jubany

Enfangada terapèutica a #sanamolls #aiguamollsdelemporda @cote_framis