Sulphate containing medical waters -: a modern medicamentous alternative?

In Central Europe mineral waters containing relevant concentrations of sulfate have traditionally been renowned and used for a variety of complaints. When registered as "Heilwasser" they are recognized as drugs and thus have to fulfil respective legal requirements. After oral intake, sulfate ions are hardly resorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in an increase in osmotic pressure, which is responsible for the main therapeutic effects, i.e. stimulation of bile flow and pancreatic exocrine secretion, and regulation of gastrointestinal motility disorders.