Comprehensive overview of health resorts and spas in Azerbaijan

Despite its relatively small size, the Republic of Azerbaijan is rich in spas and resorts. These are based on—in addition to the favorable climate—the numerous mineral springs, deposits of healing mud, the unique Naftalan oil, and picturesque landscapes from the Greater Caucasus along the sandy beaches on the Caspian Sea coast to the Hyrcanian forests in the south. By Prof.

Dr. Hadjibala Badalli. Azerbaijan offers those seeking relaxation nine different climate zones, each with its own spa treatment profile.

Also significant are the 200 types of mineral springs with varying chemical compositions, producing a daily output of 20 million liters. Many of these springs offer water quality equivalent to, if not superior to, leading global mineral water brands.

Fango occupies a special place among natural spa remedies. It is indispensable in the treatment of rheumatological, neurological, gynecological, and many other diseases. Most of the healing mud deposits in Azerbaijan are rich in clay and volcanic soil.

Azerbaijani health resorts are divided into sea and air resorts, as well as spas, the latter offering primarily mineral water and mud treatments. The spas also offer different treatment profiles: some specialize in the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and liver diseases, while others primarily treat rheumatological and gynecological diseases. There are regions in Azerbaijan that offer a wide range of therapeutic options.

These include the Absheron, Lankaran-Astara, Quba-Khachmaz, Shusha-Istizu, and several others. These regions offer the conditions for establishing multidisciplinary health resorts. Azerbaijan also offers good conditions for healthy nutrition.

Rural regions, with their livestock and fish farming, grain production, horticulture, and numerous tea plantations, ensure a sufficient supply of natural products rich in vitamins that promote human health. A healthy diet can prevent many diseases and problems even before they begin treatment. Today, treating diseases with natural medicines and sustainable therapies is becoming increasingly important.

Therapy with natural treatments under spa conditions is considered the most effective way to restore health and work capacity, as well as to calm the nervous system and strengthen the immune system. In terms of the development of health resorts, Azerbaijan can be divided into five regions: The Greater Caucasus, including the spa areas of Ilisu, Chukhuryurd, and Qalaalti, offers primarily sulfurous mineral water deposits. Acid springs rich in mineral compounds can be found in the Lesser Caucasus, including the Yukhari, Ashaghi Istisu, Tutgunchay Complex, Shusha-Turshsu-Shirlan, and Naftalan resorts.

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic boasts the recreational areas of Sirab, Badamli, Batabat, Vaychir, and Daridagh. The Caspian Sea coast and the lowlands between the Kura and Arax rivers each offer unique recreational opportunities. The Greater Caucasus: This region, which encompasses the districts of Qakh, Gabala, Oguz, Ismayilli, Quba, Davachi, and Shamakh, boasts dozens of hot, warm, and cold low-salt and sulfur springs.

Of these, the mineral springs of Ilisu in Qakh District, Chukhuryurd and Chagan in Shamakhi Region, and Diyalli in Ismayilli District can be used for therapeutic purposes. Furthermore, the region's picturesque landscapes, pure air, and refreshing springs promise beneficial and regenerative effects. Currently, there is a union spa center in Shafa in Qakh District.

It would be desirable to expand this spa and build more spas in the region. The Qalaalti spa is located in a wooded area on the Caspian Sea coast, about 100 km from Baku in the Davachi district, at an altitude of 600–700 meters above sea level.

Here, you'll find a source of low-salt bicarbonate calcium, sodium, and magnesium compounds known as "Naftusya," which contains naphthenic acids. The mountains, forest, and sea, combined with a mineral water cure, produce a comprehensive and health-promoting effect on the body. Scientific research and clinical observations show that Qalaalti mineral water can, among other things,

A variety of kidney diseases, including small kidney and gallstones, salt imbalance, urinary tract hypostasis, pyelocystitis (inflammation of the renal pelvis and bladder), chronic hepatocholecystitis (gallbladder and liver problems), and gastritis, can be successfully treated with this water. Physicians recommend and prescribe this water for both drinking and bathing cures.

The author of this article personally witnessed stones of various shapes and sizes being excreted after using Qalaalti water for several days. In fact, some of the stones were so sharp that they could easily injure a hand. Given this fact, establishing a kidney stone museum would be a worthwhile endeavor, and probably unique in the world.

The Lesser Caucasus: The spas of Yuchari Istisu, Ashaghi Istisu, and Tutgunchay are located in a picturesque mountainous region at an altitude of 1,800–2,200 meters above sea level.

The clean mountain air and UV rays from the sun, combined with the healing mineral springs, provide a holistic treatment and an unforgettable spa stay. Istisu is known for its healing properties far beyond Azerbaijan. Visitors from Asia Minor, Iran, Afghanistan, the Arabian Peninsula, and Egypt have been coming for centuries.

The first scientific research into the effects of Istisu's natural factors on human health was conducted in 1928. It has since been proven that Istisu's spas offer effective treatment for liver, stomach, and kidney diseases, as well as metabolic syndrome. Because the local mineral springs have a very high outflow capacity, the healing water is prescribed for drinking cures and baths.

The resorts of Shusha-Turshsu-Shirlan: The city of Shusha is nestled in the basin of the Qarqar 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 visited by people suffering from general weakness, anemia, chronic bronchitis, heart failure, or progressive tuberculosis. After spending a few months in Shusha, they return home fully recovered. The Shusha resort should be explored and developed in conjunction with the resort areas of Isa Bulaghi, Turshsu, and Shirlan.

Until 1967, Shusha was classified merely as a climatic health resort, but after the construction of a pipeline for the mineral water from the Shirlan spring, which contains bicarbonate, magnesium, calcium, iron, and natural carbon dioxide, the town received the status of a climatic and balneological health resort. Its water is used for gastrointestinal irrigation upon medical prescription. The Naftalan resort is located near Ganja.

Naftalan oil is supplied to the city of Naftalan from surrounding deposits and used for therapeutic purposes. Although Naftalan oil looks like ordinary oil, it is slightly thicker and heavier than fuel oil. It is rich in medicinal substances, including sulfur-nitrogen compounds, naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons, a variety of organic and inorganic compounds, and naphthenic acids.

Naftalan oil has been used medicinally since ancient times, with on-site medical supervision introduced in 1896. Naftalan oil is widely used and is applied in the form of partial and full baths, applied to sore areas, and also 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 spas in this region, the resorts of Batabat, Badamli, Sirab, Vaychir, and Daridag, located at an altitude of 1,000–1,400 meters, deserve special mention.

Its location, nestled between lush orchards and diverse mineral springs, is particularly idyllic. Nakhchivan may even be the world leader in the number of therapeutic mineral water springs in such a small area. Water from the Badamli and Sirab springs has been successfully used to treat liver, stomach, and urinary tract diseases.

Under strict medical supervision, the unique arsenic-rich mineral water of the Daridagh spring is used to treat many diseases of the joints, muscles, and nervous system. This water should be taken three times daily at a ratio of one tablespoon to a glass of ordinary drinking water for 15–20 days. The single dose is 20 grams.

The water is used successfully in the treatment of gastritis, intestinal diseases, cardiac insufficiency, anemia and general malaise, among other things.

The Sirab region boasts mineral water springs similar to those of Borjomi, Narzan, and Yessentuki, which are also recommended for the treatment of various illnesses. In addition, Nakhchivan's famous salt mines boast a special microclimate. Deep underground, patients treat their chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma here.

The Caspian Sea Coast: This region includes the districts 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 Sumqayt, are also located there.

According to climate, natural conditions, and 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 resort areas of Lankaran, Masalli, Astara, and Meshasu.