Ulmic Acids

Ulmic acids are a fraction of humic substances found in aqueous peat extracts, closely related to fulvic acids but with distinct HPLC profiles. They were identified as one of the biologically active fractions that can permeate through human skin, as demonstrated by Beer et al. (2003).

Significance

The Beer 2003 study is the landmark paper proving that peat substances actually cross the skin barrier. Of 18 HPLC fractions identified in aqueous peat extract, specific ulmic and fulvic acid fractions (7–11 and 14) were shown to permeate human full-thickness skin and exert pharmacological effects on smooth muscle tissue. This is direct evidence that the “chemical effect” of peat therapy is real — bioactive substances enter the body through the skin during treatment.

Receptor Activity

Permeated ulmic/fulvic acid derivatives activate α2 adrenergic receptors and D2 dopamine receptors, explaining smooth muscle stimulatory effects observed in clinical peat therapy. This receptor-level evidence connects peat’s chemical composition to specific pharmacological pathways.