KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic -- An-hour-and-a-half drive from Prague is this beautiful town famous for its unique architecture generously spared by the ravages of World War II; and the thermal springs reported to cure various ailments.

Bratska was our affable tour guide in the city; and at 75, she still has the elegance and posture women many years her junior would envy. She can?t even remember her last trip to the doctor, and she attributes her excellent health to the curative powers of her small town?s many hot springs.

Locals and tourists drink from the many fountains of spring water found right in the center of the town. Temperature of the mineral spring water flowing continuously from the fountains range from 45? to 72? Centigrade, so one needs to let the water cool a little bit before drinking it. The taste is not exactly like the bottled mineral water but has a bitter aftertaste, so it really takes some getting used to.

Ailments healed

According to Bratska, the healing power of their spring water makes it a virtual cure-all, a statement which makes it hard to believe from a scientific standpoint. But they seem to have voluminous documents on patients testifying that the spring water of the town healed them of their ailments including the following:

? Digestive tract disorders

? Metabolic disorders

? Diabetes

? Heart and circulatory diseases

? Gout

? Obesity

? Gingivitis

? Movement disorders

? Diseases of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and biliary ducts

? Cancer recovery after chemotherapy or radiation

? Neurological diseases

Of the town?s 79 mineral springs, 13 are used for drinking cure, and some springs and wells are located in several parts of the town center. The basic composition of various kinds of mineral water is quite similar; however, the different temperatures and contents of carbon dioxide provide different effects and one should choose which water to drink depending on one?s health problems. For example, the colder springs have slightly laxative effects, whereas the warmer ones have suppressing effects and inhibit the secretion of bile and gastric juices.

Guidelines

Thousands of tourists flock to the town every day to drink from the town?s many spring fountains. The local experts have some guidelines on how to benefit most from the healing effects of their water.

? It is recommended to use Karlovy Vary thermal mineral water only after consulting a spa physician with adequate knowledge on it.

? To achieve maximum therapeutic effects, it is recommended to draw thermal mineral water nearby the places where springs flow open.

? It is recommended to collect the thermal mineral water only from traditionally shaped porcelain or glass cups available in the ubiquitous small shops all over the town.

? For several hours after drinking the water, one should not take alcohol or smoke. Passive should likewise should be avoided.

? Drinking cure includes physical activity too. One should walk slowly after drinking their mineral water.

? Cure is optimal when one feels relaxed and not in a hurry.

? One should drink the water in the volume and interval advised by the physician.

? Drinking cure is a small ceremony during which other patients must not be disturbed.

? When taking spring water from a spring fountain, one should not touch the spring faucets for hygienic reasons.

If we were to believe Bratska and the healthy residents of Karlovy Vary, it seems that their curative spring water make marketing synthetic medicines not a lucrative industry in their town. And looking at them, it seems indeed that good health springs eternal in them.

We have our own Karlovy Vary in our country, which is Los Baños. Perhaps, our local health authorities should do more research on its spring water?s curative benefits. So, just like Bratska, many of our elderly population do not have to take any maintenance drugs for hypertension, metabolic problems, arthritis, or any problems attributed to old age.