A maturated mud or muddy dispersion composed of a mixture of fine-grained material (commonly clay), mineral water (or sea water) and often organic compounds that result from biological metabolic activity, with healing and/or cosmetic properties. Peloids involve a maturation or ageing process, which may occur naturally, although commercially available peloids are often processed for weeks to several years in special ponds, typically containing mineral waters or brines of varying composition. Based on the composition of the fine-grained components, the terms inorganic peloid (phyllo-peloid, sulpho-peloid), organic peloid (organo-peloid), and mixed peloid have been proposed.
Syn., matured mud
See mud therapy, pelotherapy, peloid maturation.
Cf., ageing.

Various types of peloids have been described:

– natural peloid : a healing mud formed in the natural sedimentary environment and used at the source.
Syn., healing mud

– phyllo-pelloid : an inorganic peloid mostly composed of clay-sized phyllosilicates.

– sulfo-peloid or sulpho-peloid an inorganic peloid mostly composed of sulfur or sulfide minerals.

– organo-peloid a peloid composed primarily of organic-rich materials (e.g. peat).