Pelotherapy
/ˌpɛloʊˈθɛrəpi/noun
The therapeutic use of medicinal mud or clay, often in baths, packs, or poultices.
Did you know?Ancient Greek physicians used medicinal earths and clays externally and internally, while modern pelotherapy developed through European spa medicine and balneology.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰer-
“A proposed root associated with holding, supporting, or attending; its connection to Greek θεραπεία is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πηλός (pēlós)
“Mud, clay, or soft earth.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
θεραπεία (therapeía)
“Service, attendance, or medical treatment.”
19th Century
Medical Latin
pelotherapia
“Treatment using mud or clay; formed from Greek pēlós and therapeía.”
Modern English
English
pelotherapy
“The therapeutic use of medicinal mud or clay.”
Explore more surprising origins