Our mission is to empower natural mineral water communities and stewards with research, education, and resources to promote therapeutic uses that enhance health and well-being.
Balneo “to bathe” -ology “study of” Verb (Medieval Latin)
Pronounced: (bal nee OL uh jee)
Balneology is the Science, Art and Culture of therapeutic mineral water use
The Core Pillars of Balneology
DRINKING
Drinking water from a free flowing source of concentrated minerals is beneficial for homeostasis by improving metabolic, digestive and urinary imbalances.
Water hydrates to quench thirst and to balance physical systems for activities like exercise and workouts.
There are many waters from around the world to choose from making this practice an enjoyable exploration in wellness.
SOAKING
Soaking/Bathing in mineral waters is the most recognized form of balneology.
By immersing in mineral waters one can receive multiple beneficial effects for body systems including: circulatory, immune, skeletal, nerves and the skin.
Timing rhythms in and out of the waters, including rest, make this a high quality practice towards wellness.
STEAMS & SAUNAS
Steams are gaseous mineral waters generated from thermal springs taken for inhalation therapy and to promote sweating for releasing toxins. Different mineral compounds effect the upper respiratory system impacting allergies, hearing loss, lung disease (COPD) and asthma which benefit from steams - a practice widely used in Europe.
Wet and dry saunas promote sweating to calm nerves, release impurities and to reinvigorate body systems.
MUDS
Heated muds, otherwise known as peleotherapy provide naturally sourced matured earth from geochemical, biological, and geological processes that consist of clay and other minerals, various microorganisms, gases, and different chemical composites hydrated with mineral waters for therapeutic effects.
A wellness practice from antiquity, the application of muds benefits vascular and neuromuscular systems, balance skin conditions and calm nerves.
Join Us
The HSA conference is going to be an incredible opportunity for our community to connect and share again this year in Calistoga. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Live Community Zoom Presentations + Q&A
Wednesday April 15th 2026
11am PST / 12pm MST / 1pm CST / 2pm EST
Virtuous Waters: The Culture and History of Bathing and Mineral Springs in Mexico with guest speaker Dr. Casey Walsh
Dr. Casey Walsh is the author of Virtuous Waters: Mineral Springs, Bathing, and Infrastructure in Mexico, a study that examines the history and social impact of human interactions with water. His research argues against treating water as a uniform commodity, instead focusing on "heterogeneous waters"—the different types of mineral and thermal waters that have shaped health practices and societies for centuries. Using ethnographic and historical data, Dr. Walsh explains how bathing and drinking are tied to specific water cultures and local environments.
He is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and served as the Department Chair from 2018 to 2023. His work focuses on the political economy of water, land, and labor, particularly in the border regions of Mexico and the United States. He earned his PhD from the New School for Social Research and has held positions as a Fulbright Scholar and a Fellow at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies. He combines historical research with field studies to understand how mineral springs are managed and used over time. His research aims to address modern water challenges by looking at the value of local water sources and community management. An editor for the Journal of Political Ecology, he has presented his research at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the University of Notre Dame.
More Info:
https://walsh.anth.ucsb.edu/
https://www.ucpress.edu/books/virtuous-waters/paper
Join Us Here on ZOOM
Join Our Live Community Zoom Presentations + Q&A
Learn from community experts and share your knowledge in our Q&A sessions every third Wednesday of the month at 11am PST. The live community calls are free to join, so please join our email list to get an invite to them.
Join our BANA community as we talk with Nevin Eckert, founder of TrueSpring Water Quality Solutions shares his experience of nearly 30 years exploring water’s vital role in our lives and the environment. Passionate about enhancing global water consciousness, he fosters a deeper connection with nature. Growing up near the Sequoia National Forest, Nevin developed a strong bond with nature early on. He protected forests and wildlife, planted trees, and built trails across the country.
Discovering Viktor Schauberger’s work transformed Nevin’s approach to water systems, which he discusses in this presentation. Today, he offers cutting-edge water technologies, creating custom drinking water systems and consulting on environmental restoration projects.
Nevin believes that living water is essential for life and well-being, emphasizing its role in health and vitality. Join him to learn about the science of living water and its implications on hot springs operations and therapeutic experiences.
Please support our community by becoming a member, so we can continue to host learning opportunities with incredible speakers. Watch more replays of our Live Community Presentation Archive HERE!
Balneology is a science, art and culture that embraces the climatology, temperatures and hydrogeology of geothermal locations, and is backed by significant research that proves the health benefits for people who seek the waters for wellness.
Our leadership team brings years of experience to guide the strategic application of the TRIQUETRA which identifies and integrates the Ten Domains, Cultural Best Practices and the BANA Flow Formula at Site-Specific-Sources.
BANA Best Practices
Are You a Hot Spring Owner or Water Steward?
Hot spring owners and water stewards can benefit from joining BANA’s national registry for therapeutic mineral waters to stand united as a community in the face of state and federal guidelines that impact the use of our therapeutic waters. Join our coalition of water sources registered with BANA to proactively address regulations affecting the operation of hot springs across North America.
Janet Abbott and the Language of Mineral Waters
Insider’s Guide to Spas —
by Mary Bemis
Janet Abbott is a passionate advocate for the transformative health and wellness benefits of natural mineral waters. As the co-founder of the Balneology Association of North America (BANA), where she serves as Vice President and Director of Mineral Water Language, Janet inspires others to “discover the art of water through mindful, creative practices, as our ancestors have demonstrated throughout history.” She shares how water, with its timeless ability to both energize and soothe, can guide us to find our own balance of strength and serenity.
“Spa Cultures already exist and have existed since the beginning of recorded history and now is a time to research, rediscover, relearn, and re-mainstream the arts, sciences and cultures of Balneology into the practices of mindfulness, wellness, health-care and therapies.”
— Dr. Jonathan Paul de Vierville, Director of Spa Cultures, Board Vice President