Does Peat Therapy Really Work? What Effects Do Peat Applications Have?

Medicinal borovine, commonly referred to as therapeutic peat, represents a sedimentary organic rock formed through extraordinary natural processes tied to ancient ecosystems. Its name derives from Old Polish, suggesting an origin in the primordial *bor* forests, where unique environmental conditions facilitated its development. This substance is the product of centuries-long, gradual decomposition of plant-based and other organic tissues, transformed by the action of specialized mummifying bacteria. A pivotal role in peat formation is played by *Sphagnum* moss, whose upper green segments continuously grow during the vegetative season while the lower layers die off and accumulate. Over millennia of this cyclic process, substantial peat deposits form, rich in essential minerals such as magnesium sulfates, potassium sulfates, and compounds of aluminum, calcium, iron, sodium, and silicon. The organic composition of borovine is dominated by humic and fulvic acids, supplemented by waxes, tannins, pectins, cellulose, and enzymes. Notably, peat also contains steroid-like substances with estrogenic effects, capable of stimulating the pituitary gland—a key regulator of the body’s hormonal balance. The therapeutic potential of borovine was first recognized in the 19th century, with the Slovak spa resort of Orava (1815) pioneering its use. In Poland, balneotherapy with peat was introduced in 1858 at the Krynica spa. As of 2017, five Polish health resorts offer borovine-based treatments, which provide relief for inflammatory joint diseases, gynecological disorders, liver ailments, and neuralgia, while also enhancing skin firmness and reducing wrinkles.