By: Babs Harrison
The geothermal waters of Castle Hot Springs flow pure, odorless and crystal clear from a source deep within the earth. Many millennia ago, tertiary volcanic rock shifted thousands of feet below, shooting heated groundwater up through a crack in the Earth’s surface. The result: a waterfall cascading into three natural pools of varying temperature ranging from 106°F to 86°F in a secluded canyon of the Bradshaw Mountains. These comprise the resort’s present-day mineral hot springs.
Taking a soak in this series of pools scooped from age-old stone and surrounded by a Sonoran Desert oasis of palm trees, saguaros and sienna-colored cliffs is deeply relaxing and a soothing balm for the soul. But there’s more goodness bubbling up from below that contributes to this uplifting feeling of joy, serenity and renewal. The naturally-occurring minerals in these hot springs may lift your mood, calm your mind and ease aching joints and muscles.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the specific minerals that deliver these qualities of pleasure.
The Benefits of Hot Springs
Mineral expert Brandon Price, founder of Medicine Springs, explains the characteristics and benefits of natural thermal waters.
As hot, geothermal water rises to the surface, it becomes enriched with dissolved minerals accumulated from the many layers of rock it passes through. Each hot spring has a unique spectrum of minerals, many of which can be absorbed through the skin, the body’s largest organ, contributing to enhanced circulation, muscle recovery, mental clarity and skin rejuvenation.
“In modern times, when vitamin supplements are routine– in part due to soil depletion and environmental factors– the healing minerals in hot springs are a natural way to revive those who soak in its warmth,” says Price.
At Castle Hot Springs, guests have 24/7 exclusive access to the hot mineral springs which are particularly rich in lithium, magnesium and bicarbonates. Here are some of the powerful benefits of the minerals:
Lithium (.30 mg/L):
Lithium is one of the most unique elements in our hot springs. It’s known to potentially boost mood, promote feelings of calmness, happiness and joy, and leave you with a general sense of well-being. Your body naturally contains a small amount of lithium, crucial for brain health and the growth and resiliency of neurons. The amount of lithium found in Castle Hot Springs is rare, and these springs are prized for the sense of euphoria they impart.
Magnesium (1.45 mg/L):
Magnesium can reduce inflammation and calm the nerves. Its relaxing effects on the body help induce a good night’s sleep. It also speeds up muscle recovery, which is why soaking in the springs is a good idea after a long hike, bike ride or travel.
Bicarbonates (137 mg/L):
Bicarbonates can improve circulation, and they also help to remove lactic acid from the muscles. Lactic acid is what causes soreness, fatigue and muscle spasms after a tough workout. The bicarbonates in our hot springs are especially beneficial after you’ve completed a long hike or challenged yourself on the Via Ferrata.
Sodium (218.89 mg/L):
Sodium is ideal for soothing joint aches and arthritis, and it helps maintain body fluid balance. In resort’s hot springs, sodium binds with sulfur, which gives you all the benefits of sulfur without the sulfur smell. Sodium sulfates are advantageous for the skin, helping to ease eczema, psoriasis and acne.
Calcium (33.82 mg/L):
Calcium is essential for muscle function and helps to strengthen bones and maintain cartilage. It is essential in regulating many internal organs, such as the heart. Soaking in calcium-rich water enhances absorption of this important mineral.
Geothermal Experiences
There are many ways guests of Castle Hot Springs can go with the flow of the geothermal waters.
A soaking circuit is a great place to begin. Take a short walk through the pretty canyon to the pools at the top of the springs, or call for a cart ride. Wear your bathing suit and terry robe, or change in the locker rooms located at the springs. Everything you need is here–towels, drinking water and a relaxation deck with lounge chairs. You’ll derive the most benefits with repetition, so indulge in a hot springs mineral bath daily.
Some say the best practice is to alternate between soaking in hot or warm water, then to cold and back to hot, several times throughout a stay at the property. This technique enhances blood circulation and relaxation. Here’s an example of how to do it:
- Start in the middle pool, a warm 96 degrees, for 10-15 minutes to relax.
- Step into the cold plunge, 58 degrees, to kickstart circulation.
- Go to the top pool, which is the hottest at 106 degrees, and soak for 10 minutes.
- Take another cold plunge.
- Finish with a warm soak in the bottom pool, a bathtub-warm 86 degrees.
Guests also have the option of enjoying the geothermal waters in their private outdoor stone soaking tubs.
Two spa therapies take place in a private mineral hot spring, magnifying the benefits of each treatment. Watsu is an aquatic massage therapy that’s excellent for releasing muscular and emotional tension. Aquatic Energy Balancing clears energy blockages along meridians and chakras to help you feel more centered.
If staying for four nights or more, book the Wellness through Water Package and experience a 60-minute Watsu treatment, and a 60-minute Zen Soaking Secrets session. The latter is an out-of-water experience that illuminates soaking techniques like mindful breathing and water-based movements to heighten the sensory immersion.
Take the 60-minute guided walk, Connecting with Water, to learn about the geology, mineral science, and therapeutic benefits of the mineral springs, ending with a 15-minute guided soak.
To top it off, sip a Lithium Lager at Bar 1896. Specially brewed for Castle Hot Springs, this lightly hopped lager is laced with just the right amount of lithium. The calming brew is a welcome cold refreshment at the end of the trail.
Castle Hot Springs’ mineral-rich waters offer a wellness experience rooted in nature and history. The quiet strength derived from a synergy of minerals working below the surface gives guests a feeling of joy, serenity and renewal. What better takeaway than to emerge from this desert sanctuary feeling lighter in body, clearer in mind and renewed in spirit.