The idea of bathing in hot spring water has been around for centuries; it even inspired the modern spa as you probably know it. Hot springs are an important cultural tradition around the world, from JapanTrusted Source to Ecuador to Iceland.

“Thermal baths have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years,” says Konstruner. "Many of the natural thermal springs are rich in minerals such as sulfur, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties."

Since their inception, studies have shown numerous health benefits of thermal baths. Thermal baths have been used in the past to treat symptoms of conditions such as: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis

Research Trusted Source suggests that bathing in hot mineral water affects the body's immune and hormonal systems, which can lead to anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant effects.

"Thermal spring water has been shown to help with inflammatory diseases such as eczema and rosacea," says Drake.

Selenium-rich water, for example, has been used in balneotherapy for eczema and psoriasis for decades, he says, while the Dead Sea's high levels of magnesium salts have been shown to be effective in treating psoriasis.