Drinking Cure: Mineral Water Therapy, Effects and Suitable Spa Resorts 2026

Key Facts

– Oldest spa treatment — documented since 1358 in Karlovy Vary, over 650 years of clinical observation – 6 specialised spa resorts — Karlovy Vary ★★★, Mariánské Lázně ★★★, Rogaška Slatina ★★★, Františkovy Lázně ★★★, Luhačovice ★★★, Druskininkai ★★ – Hot or cold — the temperature determines the effect: hot (30–73 °C) relaxes smooth muscles, cold with CO₂ (7–14 °C) acts as a powerful diuretic – Individual prescription — which spring, how much (3 ml per kg body weight), at what temperature, and at what time of day – 2–3 drinking sessions daily — on an empty stomach in the morning, before lunch, and in the afternoon – German-speaking medical care at all recommended spa resorts – No prepayment — pay at the hotel on arrival

Drinking Cure at a Glance

Feature	Details
Definition	Regular, medically prescribed consumption of healing water at the spring
Healing Water	Natural mineral water with at least 1 g/l dissolved minerals
Key Spas	6: Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, Rogaška Slatina, Františkovy Lázně, Luhačovice, Druskininkai
Temperature	Hot (30–73 °C) or cold with CO₂ (7–14 °C) — depends on diagnosis
Dosage	3 ml per kg body weight, 2–3 times daily
Duration per Session	10–15 minutes drinking + 20–30 minutes rest
Kurdauer	14–21 days recommended

What Is a Drinking Cure?

A drinking cure is the regular consumption of healing water directly at the spring, prescribed by a spa doctor based on the individual diagnosis. Unlike table water or bottled mineral water from a supermarket, healing water reaches mineral concentrations that produce a measurable therapeutic effect — the minimum threshold is one gram of dissolved minerals per litre, and top-tier waters like Surutis in Druskininkai reach 52.5 grams per litre.

The drinking cure works through a dual mechanism: locally in the digestive tract and systemically through the bloodstream. The minerals are absorbed through the gastric and intestinal mucosa and reach their target organs within 30–60 minutes. The spa doctor determines individually which spring, how much, at what temperature, and at what time of day.

The drinking cure has two fundamentally different variants — hot and cold — which treat entirely different disease groups:

The hot drinking cure, primarily practised in Karlovy Vary, uses water at 30–73 °C. The heat relaxes the smooth muscles of the stomach, gall bladder, bile ducts and intestines — an antispasmodic, mucosa-protective and metabolism-stimulating effect. It is the therapy of choice for chronic gastritis, diabetes, gout and fatty liver.

The cold CO₂ drinking cure, as in Mariánské Lázně, Františkovy Lázně and Poděbrady, uses water at 7–14 °C. The cold keeps the dissolved carbon dioxide bound in the water. On reaching the stomach, the CO₂ is released, stimulating gastric secretion and triggering a powerful diuretic reflex — the kidneys are flushed intensively, and blood pressure drops measurably. It is the first choice for kidney stones, urinary tract infections and hypertension.

The magnesium drinking cure in Rogaška Slatina uses Donat-Mg water with 1,000 milligrams of magnesium per litre — a world record. The magnesium acts osmotically in the bowel (natural laxative without cramps) and systemically on over 300 enzymatic reactions including glucose metabolism, making it the best treatment for constipation and magnesium deficiency.

The iodine drinking cure in Luhačovice uses Vincentka water — iodine-rich, alkaline, with lithium and barium. The iodine reaches the thyroid and respiratory mucosa via the bloodstream, acting as a natural mucolytic and anti-inflammatory — the best natural treatment for COPD, chronic bronchitis and vocal cord disorders.

Which Spas Offer a Drinking Cure?

Spa	Country	Healing Water	Temperature	★
Karlovy Vary	Czech Republic	13 springs, Na-HCO₃-SO₄, 6.8 g/l, CO₂ 350–1,600 mg/l	30–73 °C	★★★
Mariánské Lázně	Czech Republic	40 springs, CO₂ up to 2,500 mg/l, Cross Spring 9.8 g/l	7–10 °C	★★★
Rogaška Slatina	Slovenia	Donat-Mg — 1,000 mg/l magnesium, 13 g/l total	12–14 °C	★★★
Františkovy Lázně	Czech Republic	Glauberquelle III — 23 g/l, iron-rich springs	8–12 °C	★★★
Luhačovice	Czech Republic	Vincentka — iodine-rich, alkaline, lithium, barium	10–12 °C	★★★
Druskininkai	Lithuania	Surutis — 52.5 g/l (diluted to 4–6 g/l), 8 springs total	Diluted	★★

Who Can Benefit from a Drinking Cure?

Condition	Recommended Spa	Mechanism
Chronic Gastritis	Karlovy Vary	Hot water neutralises stomach acid, protects mucosa, antispasmodic
Diabetes Type 2	Karlovy Vary, Rogaška Slatina	Improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood glucose, magnesium regulates metabolism
Gout	Karlovy Vary	Reduces uric acid by up to 30 %, promotes renal excretion
Kidney Stones	Mariánské Lázně	CO₂ increases diuresis, regulates urinary pH, flushes urinary tract
Chronic Constipation	Rogaška Slatina, Františkovy Lázně	Donat-Mg and Glauber salt act osmotically — natural laxative without cramps
COPD, Asthma	Luhačovice	Vincentka iodine liquefies mucus, regenerates respiratory mucosa
Fatty Liver	Karlovy Vary	Thermal water improves liver function and fat metabolism
Magnesium Deficiency	Rogaška Slatina	300 ml of Donat-Mg covers the entire daily requirement

Not suitable for: acute infections, acute gastric ulcers with bleeding risk, decompensated heart failure, severe renal insufficiency, and active inflammatory bowel disease. The spa doctor determines individual suitability during the initial examination.

How a Drinking Cure Works Step by Step

Before the first treatment, a thorough examination by the spa doctor is conducted. Bring your current medical reports, a list of medications, and your latest blood test results — the doctor needs a complete medical history to determine the correct spring and dosage.

The drinking cure begins in the morning on an empty stomach between 06:30 and 08:00. The guest walks to the colonnade or drinking hall — in Karlovy Vary to the Mill Colonnade with five springs under one roof, in Mariánské Lázně to the cast-iron Main Colonnade with the Cross Spring. The water is drawn directly at the spring into special porcelain cups with a spout — plastic alters the mineral composition and is not permitted.

The drinking quantity follows a simple formula: three millilitres per kilogram of body weight. A person weighing 80 kilograms drinks approximately 240 millilitres — one cup — per session. The water is drunk slowly over 10–15 minutes, followed by a 20–30 minute rest period. Movement immediately after drinking impairs mineral absorption. The second session takes place before lunch, the third in the afternoon.

What to bring: your porcelain cup is provided on site. Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes for the daily walks — the spa parks are extensive. In Luhačovice, bring a thermos flask: Vincentka water loses its CO₂ and part of its therapeutic effect within 24 hours in an open container. The full effect of the drinking cure develops after seven to ten days — for this reason, a course of 14 to 21 days is recommended.

A Typical Spa Day with a Drinking Cure

Time	Activity
06:30	Rise — a glass of still water
07:00	First drinking cure — on an empty stomach at the spring, 200–250 ml
07:30	Rest period — 20–30 minutes sitting or slow walking
08:00	Breakfast — light, spa-compatible
09:00	Morning walk on the colonnade — 45–60 minutes
10:30	Thermal bath or moor pack — as prescribed
12:00	Second drinking cure — before lunch
12:30	Lunch
14:00	Massage or physiotherapy
16:00	Third drinking cure — afternoon
16:30	Rest period
17:30	Dinner
19:00	Evening walk — guided or independent

Frequently Asked Questions