Curative water. Originally pure, with scientifically proven preventive, alleviating and healing effects. Each with a special and unique combination of minerals and effects. Already known and valued by the Romans as a natural remedy. 

Author: Gerlinde Mock

Each curative water is unique due to its ingredients and effects. 

In the thermal and volcano region of Styria, the Josefsquelle (Joseph's spring) rises in Sicheldorf, in the Styrian volcano region.

The iodine-containing sodium hydrogen carbonate chloride acidulous water has an intense taste and health benefits due to its high mineralization. Sicheldorfer curative water is highly mineralized with calcium, magnesium, sodium, fluorine and a gentle perlage. 

The curative water has an immediate effect on heartburn thanks to the hydrogen carbonate it contains and is also recommended for hyperacid gastritis and uric acid or urate stones. The iodine it contains is involved as a building block in the formation of thyroid hormones. Metasilicic acid provides positive support for skin, hair, nails and tissue. Lithium is known for its proven balancing effect. 6

Definition of curative water

Curative water has scientifically proven health benefits. The natural product is bottled directly and unchanged at the source. Official approval and a usage permit are also required. Curative waters can be drunk either by the glass, permanently or as a drinking cure for a few weeks.1

Water types 

In addition to curative water, there is also natural mineral water, spring water, table water and drinking water. They differ in terms of extraction, bottling, analysis values and labelling as well as mineralization, taste, effect and treatment. They are regulated by the „Mineral Water and Spring Water Regulation“ and the „Drinking Water Regulation“. In Austria, curative water complies with the „Medicinal Resources and Health Resorts Act“. 2,3 

Tap water in Austria usually consists of spring water. It must be free of pathogenic germs and pure and meet the guidelines of the Drinking Water Regulation up to the water meter. To make it fit for human consumption, it may be treated using legally defined methods. This is strictly forbidden for mineral and curative waters. 

Table water can and may be produced anywhere, it consists of different types of water with brine and carbon dioxide and must meet the drinking water requirements. 

Natural mineral waters and curative waters are originally pure natural products from underground springs that are protected from contamination. They must be microbiologically flawless and bottled directly at the source.

Curative water also has a scientifically proven healing, preventative or alleviating effect through a special combination of minerals and trace elements of at least 1 g per kilogram or 

a constant temperature of at least 20 °C at the source outlet or 

at least 250 mg of free natural carbon dioxide at the source outlet or 

regardless of the total mineralization, a minimum content of pharmacologically active substances of 10 mg/kg iron, 1 mg/kg iodine or 1 mg/kg titratable sulphur. 1,2,3 

Curative water and well-being

Water is essential for life. Humans consist of 50-80% water, but cannot store it sufficiently. For a positive water balance, at least 30-40 ml of water per kilogram of body weight should be drunk daily in order to stay mentally, physically and socially fit. The minerals and trace elements it contains are already in dissolved form and are therefore immediately available. They not only have a positive effect on bones and teeth, but also on digestion, circulation, nerves, acid-base balance and concentration. 4

The Josefsquelle was formerly known as "Mineralwasserbrunnen I" or "Alte Siricquelle" and is located south-east of Bad Radkersburg. The original borehole from 1923 was intended for hydrocarbon prospecting and was expanded in 1939 for mineral water extraction. 

The water comes from a sandstone bench overlain by clay marls. 5

In 1956, the Styrian provincial government recognized the Josefsquelle, which is around 63 m deep, as a medicinal spring. 5

The iodine-containing sodium hydrogen carbonate-chloride acidulous water has a total mineralization of around 5.45 g/l according to current source analysis values. 6 

Deuterium and oxygen-18 contents show meteoric deep groundwater from post-volcanic areas. The source gases consist mainly of carbon dioxide and methane. The highly mineralized deep groundwater rises with the CO2 via fault zones into near-surface aquifers. 5 

The terroir

Each curative water has a unique combination of minerals and reflects the terroir due to the processes of formation, residence time and temperature. Due to the natural filtering of different soil and rock layers and the natural enrichment with minerals and trace elements, it has unique properties that can be perceived in its smell and taste. 

Sicheldorf lies on the flank of the West Pannonian Basin, which is separated from the East Styrian Basin by the South Burgenland Sill. Triassic carbonates are found at a depth of 1,778 m. Neogene layers of the basin fill up to 427 m show sediments of the Sarmatian, which consist alternately of fine sandy silt clays and sandy gravels. These gravels form the artesian groundwater horizons.

Sicheldorf is located in the area of two staggered fractures where the crystalline ridge of Murska Sobota dips down to the subsidence zone of Bad Radkersburg5 , as shown in Figure 3 below. 

Ingredients and label language. 

The analysis values on the bottle label provide information on all ingredients. 

Magnesium supports the heart and muscles, activates enzymes and regulates vital metabolic processes. It helps to supply our cells with energy. At 78.1 mg/l, Sicheldorfer curative water is considered to be rich in magnesium. 

Calcium is an important component of bones, teeth and tissue. It is involved in the transmission of nerve signals to muscles, stabilizes our heartbeat, activates enzymes and hormones and is needed for blood clotting. Sicheldorfer curative water contains 176 mg/l of calcium and is considered to be rich in calcium. 

Fluorine serves as protection and a building block for bones and teeth. Sicheldorfer curative water contains just under 0.5 mg/l fluorine. 

Sulphate. The body needs sulphates to build up proteins, which provide structure in the skin, hair and cartilage. Sicheldorfer curative water contains 13.4 mg/l sulphate. 

Sodium regulates fluid balance and blood pressure. When we sweat, a lot of sodium is lost, it binds water and thus regulates its distribution in the body. At 1126 mg/l, Sicheldorfer curative water is considered to contain sodium. 

Together with sodium, chloride regulates the body's water balance. It is a component of gastric acid and is important for digestion. Sicheldorfer curative water has a chloride content of 503.8 mg/l. 

Iodine is required for the production of the thyroid hormone. Sicheldorfer curative water contains 1.11 mg/l iodide and is considered iodine-containing curative water. 

Hydrogen carbonate/bicarbonate helps with acid complaints such as heartburn or hyperacidity. In the case of certain urinary tract infections or urinary stones, the urine can be specifically alkalized or made more alkaline; it acts as an important acid buffer. With 3370 mg/l, Sicheldorfer curative water is a healing water containing hydrogen carbonate and therefore has an immediate effect against heartburn.

Lithium has a proven balancing effect and helps to reduce stress. Sicheldorfer curative water contains 1.19 mg/l lithium. 

Metasilicic acid/silicon is important for the formation of connective tissue and bones, skin, nails, hair and vascular walls. Sicheldorfer healing water contains 71.4 mg/l of silicon. 

CO2 stimulates salivation, digestion and mucous membranes. Carbonic acid does not contribute to acidification of the body, but it does have a slightly acidic taste - hence the term sour water. Sicheldorfer curative water has a fine perlage of 2340 mg/l and a pH value of 6.27. 4,6,7,8 

Taste and sensory properties

Sicheldorfer curative water presents itself in the glass with medium-sized carbon dioxide bubbles, subtly sparkling, pure and medium pronounced on the nose.

In some batches, it is reminiscent of iodine, salty spray and a hint of sulphur. On the palate, it has gently sparkling carbon dioxide, a strong body with aromas of bittersweet magnesium, calcium, salty sodium and creamy hydrogen carbonate and ends with a long finish. 9

The drinking cure 

The special mineral mix and the scientifically proven effect are recommended as a drinking cure for the supportive treatment of iodine deficiency, catarrhal diseases, heartburn, hyperacid gastritis, uric acid and urate stones and have been confirmed by renowned doctors: 

Heartburn 

The excess acid in the stomach is neutralized by the mineralization and the high hydrogen carbonate content. This relieves heartburn in a natural way. 10 

Hyperacid gastritis 

Hyperacid gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining as a result of increased gastric acid production caused by stimulants, stress or medication. Hydrogen carbonate has an anti-acid secretion effect and neutralizes excess hydrochloric acid - drunk slowly, in sips and not too cold, approx. 90 - 120 minutes before eating and after each meal. 11 

Iodine deficiency 

Iodine deficiency can lead to goitre formation and, in severe cases, to hypothyroidism. Sicheldorfer curative water can be drunk as a preventative measure to keep the iodine balance in optimal balance, as Dr. Wolfgang Buchinger, medical director of the Institute for Thyroid Diagnostics and Nuclear Medicine in Gleisdorf, confirms: Just 1/8 I per day can lead to a significant improvement in symptoms. 12 

Uric acid stones 

Sicheldorf healing water helps with prevention and is recommended for post-treatment of uric acid stones, drunk evenly throughout the day as a drinking cure, with evening intake being particularly recommended. 13 

Catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract 

Waters containing bicarbonate, such as Sicheldorfer curative water, have natural expectorant properties. They have a positive effect at 16-18 °C, drunk by the glass several times throughout the day. 14 

Application & use 

Curative waters are one of the oldest natural remedies and are valued for their natural composition with the added minerals and trace elements and scientifically proven preventive, alleviating or healing effects. 15 

Sicheldorfer curative water is suitable as a health, wellness or sports water, for balancing the acid-base balance or for mineral and fluid loss after sauna visits. According to analysis values, iodine, lithium and meta-silicic acid add value to the ingredients mentioned. 

In the gastronomic sector, it complements strong dishes, chocolaty desserts, premium wines and can be used as a non-alcoholic digestif.