Wando Mudflats Reborn as Marine Healing Products

Developing Products Using Mud Harvested from Aging Salt Pans, Used in Thermal Packs and Topical Therapies

Old salt farm site where mud was collected ⓒ Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Mud harvested from Wando, Jeollanam-do, is being transformed into marine healing products. The mud is collected from pristine tidal flats and contains natural minerals and germanium, which not only help with blood circulation but also have beneficial effects on skin beauty.

According to the county on the 27th, while promoting the marine healing industry, they analyzed the distribution of tidal flats in various areas within the jurisdiction to secure a supply source of mud for mineral healing therapy, one of the marine healing methods. They are currently developing products using mud from the old Nohwa salt farm site, which has ensured safety and high usability.

The natural mud formed thousands of years ago is now called Peat or Peloid and is used in mud therapy due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and skin beautifying effects.

Additionally, people suffering from rheumatism, chronic musculoskeletal diseases, and gynecological disorders have used mud baths to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Receiving warm mud therapy raises body temperature, promotes blood circulation, relaxes muscles, reduces pain, and induces a feeling of comfort.

Overseas, including Europe, mud is classified in detail into peat, fango (volcanic mud), kaolin (white clay, kaolinite), etc., and each type is utilized in healing centers according to its characteristics.

Representative brands using mud include Italy’s traditional Fangotherapy, Hungary’s H?v?z mud, and France’s Plœmeur kaolin.

Since 2017, Wando County has conducted a ‘Research Service on the Nutritional Relationship between Maekbansuk and Seafood’ to analyze the geological environment within the jurisdiction, confirming that the entire county is a terrain composed of Maekbansuk (igneous rock), and also verified the safety of major tidal flats.

Among the tidal flats confirmed to be safe, the county conducted sample investigations targeting the areas near Nohwa and the reclaimed land of Hwahaengpo, which show a ‘pearl tidal flat’ form consisting of clay and silt, and decided to collect mud with a large amount of sediment layers from the old Nohwa salt farm site.

The county has currently secured powdered mud by grinding and heat-treating the mud collected from the old Nohwa salt farm to be used at the Marine Healing Center. Once mud products are developed, they will be used in mud therapy programs such as thermal packs and topical applications.

An Hwan-ok, the marine healing officer, stated, “The marine healing industry is important not only for a clean environment but also for utilizing local resources harvested and produced in the region.” He added, “We will continue efforts to utilize not only seaweed and tidal flats (mud) but also Hwangchil and Bipa.”

Meanwhile, products combined with Wando County’s specialized resources such as Hwangchil and Bipa are also under development.

Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.