Comprehensive Overview of Health Resorts and Spas in Azerbaijan
Despite its relatively small size, the Republic of Azerbaijan is rich in health resorts and recreational areas. The foundation for this is provided by — in addition to the favorable climate — the many mineral springs, deposits of healing mud, the unique Naftalan oil, and picturesque landscapes from the Greater Caucasus along the sandy beaches on the coast of the Caspian Sea to the Hyrcanian forests in the south. By Prof. Dr. Hajibala Badalli. Azerbaijan offers health seekers nine different climate zones, each with its own profile of spa treatments. Also significant are the 200 types of mineral springs with different chemical compositions, which produce a daily output of 20 million liters. Many of these sources offer water quality equal to, if not higher than, leading global mineral water brands. Fango (mud therapy) holds a special place among natural spa treatments. It is indispensable in the treatment of rheumatological, neurological, gynecological, and many other diseases. Most deposits of healing mud in Azerbaijan are rich in clay and volcanic soil. Azerbaijani resorts are divided into seaside and climatic resorts, as well as health spas, the latter offering mainly mineral water and fango treatments. The resorts also have different healing application profiles: some specialize in the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and liver diseases, while others primarily treat rheumatological and gynecological conditions. There are regions in Azerbaijan that possess a whole range of therapeutic application possibilities. These include the areas of Absheron, Lankaran-Astara, Guba-Khachmaz, Shusha-Istisu, and several others. In these regions, the conditions for establishing multi-disciplinary spa centers are present. Azerbaijan also offers good conditions for healthy eating. Rural regions ensure a sufficient supply of natural products rich in vitamins and promoting human health through animal husbandry and fish farming, grain production, horticulture, and numerous tea plantations. A healthy diet can prevent many diseases and problems even before the treatment phase. Nowadays, the treatment of diseases with natural remedies and sustainable therapies is gaining more and more importance. Therapy with natural treatment methods under spa conditions is considered the most effective way to restore health and work ability, as well as to calm the nervous system and strengthen the immune system. In terms of the development of spa and recreational areas, Azerbaijan can be divided into five regions in total: The Greater Caucasus, including the spa areas of Ilisu, Chukhuryurd, and Galaalti, offers mainly sulfurous mineral water deposits. Mineral springs rich in mineral compounds can be found in the Lesser Caucasus with the recreational areas of Yukhari, Ashaghi Istisu, the Tutgunchay complex, the Shusha-Turshsu-Shirlan and Naftalan resorts. The Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan has the recreational areas of Sirab, Badamli, Batabat, Vaychir, and Daridagh. The coast of the Caspian Sea and the lowlands between the Kura and Arax rivers each offer their own unique recreational opportunities. The Greater Caucasus: This region, which includes the districts of Gakh, Gabala, Oghuz, Ismayilli, Guba, Davachi, and Shamakhi, has dozens of hot, warm, and cold low-salt and sulfurous springs. Of these, the mineral springs of Ilisu in the Gakh district, Chukhuryurd and Khagan in the Shamakhi area, and Diyalli in the Ismayilli district can be used for therapeutic purposes. Moreover, the picturesque landscapes, pure air, and refreshing springs of the region promise a soothing and regenerative effect. Currently, there is a trade union spa center in Shafa in the Gakh district. It would be welcome to expand this and build more health spas in the region. The Galaalti health spa is located in a forested area on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is about 100 km from Baku in the Davachi district at an altitude of 600-700 meters above sea level. Here, there is a source of low-salt hydrocarbonate-calcium, sodium, and magnesium compounds under the name 'Naftusya', with a content of naphthenic acids. The mountains, forest, and sea, combined with a mineral water cure, have a comprehensive and health-promoting effect on the organism. Scientific research results and clinical observations show that Galaalti mineral water can successfully treat a range of kidney diseases, small kidney and gallstones, salt metabolism disorders, urinary tract hypostasis, pyelocystitis (inflammation of the renal pelvis and bladder), chronic hepatocholecystitis (gallbladder and liver complaints), and gastritis. The treating doctors recommend and prescribe this water for both drinking and bathing cures. The author of this article has personally witnessed how, after using Galaalti water over several days, stones of various shapes and sizes were excreted. In fact, some of the stones were so sharp that they could easily injure a hand. In view of this fact, building a museum for kidney stones would be a worthwhile endeavor and probably unique in the world. The Lesser Caucasus: The health spas of Yukhari Istisu, Ashaghi Istisu, and Tutgunchay are located in a picturesque mountain area at an altitude of 1,800-2,200 meters above sea level. The clean mountain air and the sun's UV radiation, combined with the healing mineral springs, result in a holistic treatment and an unforgettable spa stay. Istisu is known far beyond Azerbaijan for its healing properties. People from Asia Minor, Iran, Afghanistan, the Arabian Peninsula, and Egypt have been among the visitors for centuries. The first scientific research on the effects of Istisu's natural factors on human health was conducted in 1928. It has since been proven that the Istisu resorts enable effective treatment of liver, stomach, and kidney diseases, as well as metabolic syndrome. As the local mineral springs have a very high outflow rate, the healing water is prescribed for both drinking cures and baths. The Shusha-Turshsu-Shirlan Resorts: The city of Shusha is nestled in the basin of the Gargar River at an altitude of 1,300-1,500 meters above sea level, surrounded by a picturesque landscape with uniquely healthy air. For centuries, this place has been sought out by people suffering from general weakness, anemia, chronic bronchitis, heart failure, or closed tuberculosis. After spending a few months in Shusha, they return home completely recovered. The Shusha resort should be explored and developed in connection with the recreational areas of Isa Bulaghi, Turshsu, and Shirlan. Until 1967, Shusha was only classified as a climatic resort, but after the construction of a pipeline for the mineral water from the Shirlan spring, containing hydrocarbonate, magnesium, calcium, iron, and natural carbon dioxide, the town received the status of a climatic and balneological resort. Its water is used under medical prescription for rinsing the gastrointestinal tract. The Naftalan resort is located near Ganja. Naftalan oil is supplied from the surrounding deposits to the city of Naftalan and used for therapeutic purposes. The oil from Naftalan looks like ordinary oil but is slightly more viscous and heavier than heating oil. It is rich in healing substances, including sulfur-nitrogen compounds, naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons, a range of organic and inorganic compounds, and naphthenic acids. Naftalan oil has been used medicinally since ancient times, with medical supervision on-site introduced in 1896. Naftalan oil is widely used and is applied in the form of partial and full baths, applied to a sore spot, but also used as a paste in combination with sunlamps and phonophoresis. Naftalan is successfully used in the treatment of rheumatic, gynecological, and urological diseases, post-traumatic complications, and skin diseases. The Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan: Among the health spas in this region, the places Batabat, Badamli, Sirab, Vaychir, and Daridag, located at an altitude of 1,000-1,400 meters, deserve special mention. Their location between lush orchards and various mineral springs is particularly idyllic. Nakhchivan is perhaps even world-leading in terms of the number of therapeutic mineral water sources in such a small area. Water from the Badamli and Sirab springs has been successfully used in the treatment of liver, stomach, and urinary tract diseases. Under strict medical control, the unique arsenic-containing mineral water from the Daridagh spring is used in the treatment of many diseases of the joints, muscles, and nervous system. This water should be taken three times daily in a ratio of one tablespoon to a glass of ordinary drinking water over 15-20 days. The single dose is 20 grams. The water is successfully used, among other things, in the treatment of gastritis, intestinal diseases, cardiac insufficiency, anemia, and general malaise. The Sirab area has mineral water sources similar to those of Borjomi, Narzan, and Yessentuki, which are also recommended for the treatment of various diseases. In addition, Nakhchivan's famous salt mines have a special microclimate. Deep underground, patients cure their chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma here. The Caspian Sea Coast: This region includes the areas of Khachmaz, Davachi, Absheron, Salyan, Neftchala, Masalli, Lankaran, and Astara. It is located in the east of the country and stretches along the Caspian coast from north to south. The two largest industrial centers, Baku and Sumgait, are also located here. According to climate, natural conditions, and the predominant healing factors, the area can be divided into three zones: the recreational areas of Khudat and Nabran-Yalama; the Absheron Peninsula; and the subtropical holiday areas of Lankaran, Masalli, Astara, and Meshasu. The coastal zone of Khudat-Yalama-Nabran stretches for 200 kilometers along the Caspian Sea and is completely covered with forest. The combination of sea and forest climate has a calming effect on the nervous system and regulates the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. On this basis, it would make sense to establish a modern sanatorium and resort network specializing in the treatment of these diseases. However, there are already a few recreational and health facilities around the settlement of Nabran on the coastal side. Additionally, several mineral water springs bubble in the area. The Absheron Peninsula is characterized by a sea climate and simultaneously offers hydrogen sulfide (Surakhani) and warm, sulfurous springs (Shikhov), plus considerable reserves of underground iodine bromide water, high-quality healing mud (Masazir), and valuable volcanic mud (Gobustan-Alat). By no means should the kilometers-long sandy beaches be left unmentioned, which are generally considered an indispensable therapeutic aid. Therefore, the establishment of modern spa resorts in the coastal settlements on Absheron should be seen as a task of national importance. The spas currently operating on the Absheron Peninsula are about 25-40 kilometers from Baku, which significantly mitigates the problem of adaptation and acclimatization for patients. The special conditions on Absheron enable the successful treatment of a range of diseases of the nervous system and the rheumatic spectrum, as well as the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. Lankaran-Masalli-Astara: This zone of subtropical climate stretches for almost 50 kilometers along the coast of the Caspian Sea and is valued for its health-promoting natural conditions. The entire area is covered by mountain forests, where there are a variety of valuable and rare trees, including the Persian Ironwood tree (Parrotia persica). The area is also known for its tea plantations, lemon groves, beautiful sandy beaches, and cold, warm, and hot mineral springs. From the point of view of conditions for building a spa, the mineral water deposits of Meshasu in Lankaran and at Istisu in the Masalli district are particularly valuable. Scientific research and long-term climate observations lead to the conclusion that it would be sensible and necessary to build a modern spa infrastructure in this area that could serve the treatment of the nervous system, rheumatism, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases. Kura-Arax Lowland: This region is particularly suitable for the establishment of climatic resorts for the treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases, similar to the Bayram-Ali resort in Turkmenistan. This is explained by the fact that in a hot summer environment, a considerable part of the body's water content is removed not in the form of urine but through sweat, which significantly relieves the kidneys. Incidentally, the consumption of fruit, especially watermelons and white mulberries, which are abundant here, effectively flushes the kidneys and eliminates deposits and salts in the body. Literature: 1. Efendiyev, M: The Ilisu Resort, Baku 1965. 2. Salikhov, S.: Effects of the Turshsu Resort Factors on Various Functions of the Organism, Baku 1972. 3. Kuliyev, A.: Naftalan and its Therapeutic Methodology. Baku 1973. 4. Resorts. Encyclopedia, Moscow 1983. 5. Badalov, G.: Heart Diseases and the Galaalti Health Spa, Baku 1978. 6. Badalov, H.: Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases in Various High-Altitude Resorts in Azerbaijan, Baku 1995.
