Carlsbad Salt: History of Production and Use in Europe

Karlovy Vary is renowned worldwide for its hot mineral springs. Millions of tourists come here for health benefits, but few know that in the 18th–19th centuries, the city’s true treasure was not the water itself, but Carlsbad salt—a white powder obtained by evaporating mineral water. This salt became a popular export product, used as a remedy for dozens of ailments, and was even mentioned in European medical literature.

📜 From Legend to Laboratory: The Emergence of Carlsbad Salt

The first mentions of the healing properties of Karlovy Vary’s mineral water date back to the 14th century, when, according to legend, Emperor Charles IV discovered a hot spring during a hunt. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that the water began to be processed into a dry form. Local apothecaries started evaporating water from the famous Geyser (Vřídlo), obtaining a dry concentrate—salt with strong laxative and choleretic effects.

Soon, it was named Sal Carolinum fontanum—literally “salt sediment from Charles’s spring.”

🌍 European Hit: Carlsbad Salt Exported Across Europe

In the 19th century, Carlsbad salt was exported throughout Europe:

• Russia: Sold in pharmacy jars in St. Petersburg and Moscow, actively used for gastrointestinal diseases.
• France and Germany: Featured in pharmacy catalogs as a mineral remedy.
• England: Mentioned in medical directories as “Bohemian salt.”
• Austria and Hungary: Considered one of the best remedies for recovery after overeating and hangovers.

An interesting fact: Carlsbad salt was included in the medical kits of Austrian army officers as a mandatory component of their field first-aid kits.

⚗️ What Is Carlsbad Salt Made Of?

Carlsbad salt is not just table salt. It’s a complex mixture of mineral salts, including:

• Sodium (Na⁺) – the main component, regulating water-salt balance;
• Potassium (K⁺) – important for heart and muscle function;
• Calcium (Ca²⁺) – strengthens bones and participates in nerve impulse transmission;
• Magnesium (Mg²⁺) – regulates the nervous system and intestines;
• Sulfates (SO₄²⁻) – stimulate digestion and bile secretion;
• Bicarbonates (HCO₃⁻) – normalize stomach acidity.

Thanks to its balanced composition, the salt solution acts gently yet effectively.

💊 A Cure-All? Or Almost?

In the 19th–20th centuries, Carlsbad salt was considered a universal remedy:

• for gastritis, ulcers, heartburn;
• to stimulate the gallbladder;
• for chronic constipation;
• for “body cleansing” (even before detox trends);
• and even as a remedy for “melancholy”—what we now call depression.

Besides internal use, the salt was applied externally: for baths, rinses, inhalations, and compresses.

😮 Fun Facts

• 👑 Empress Maria Theresa reportedly took Carlsbad salt in the mornings “to maintain slimness.”
• 📦 In Austria-Hungary, Carlsbad salt was sold in special tin boxes featuring images of the spring.
• 🏷️ In Paris in the 1860s, counterfeits labeled “Sel de Carlsbad” appeared, which had nothing to do with the original.
• 💼 In the early 20th century, the salt was packaged into travel first-aid kits for tourists, allowing them to “treat themselves on the go.”

🏥 Today?

Today, Carlsbad salt is available in pharmacies and branded stores. It can also be purchased online, with delivery to European countries and worldwide. It is sold in the form of:

• Powder (jar);
• Effervescent tablets (tube);
• Sachets – single-dose packets.

In our branded store “Feel Karlovy Vary,” we offer the full range of 100% original Carlsbad salt. You can also receive expert advice on proper usage and even sample the product.

Important: Currently, natural drinking mineral salt—produced by evaporating water from the Vřídlo spring—is made only in Karlovy Vary.

Avoid chemical products or counterfeits.

🧭 How to Use at Home?

📌 Classic treatment method:

• Proper format: loose salt.
• 2–3 grams of salt per 250–300 ml of warm water. Drink slowly, three times a day, 40 minutes before meals.
• The treatment course lasts 2–3 weeks, with a six-month break between courses.

📌 For general body mineralization:

• Convenient format: effervescent tablets.
• 1 tablet per 250–300 ml of warm water, 2–3 tablets per day.

⚠️ Before use, consult a doctor, especially if you have kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes. Not recommended for children under 12 years old.

🎁 Conclusion

Carlsbad salt is more than just a souvenir from the famous Czech spa town. It’s a natural functional product with a rich history, scientific backing, and real health benefits. Thanks to its unique composition, it aids in gentle body cleansing, digestion normalization, and maintaining overall balance.

If you wish to take home a piece of Karlovy Vary’s legendary healing power, a jar of authentic Carlsbad salt is the best choice. It’s useful at home, especially after holidays, travels, or simply for a caring morning routine.