Naftalan - the most unusual balneological resort where oil is treated

Not only fuel and a host of other useful products are produced from oil, but they are also used as a medicine. Such an unusual use of minerals was found in the Azerbaijani city of Naftalan, which we will talk about today.

Azerbaijan is famous for its oil reserves, which have been mined here since ancient times. The first mention of the fact that oil is extracted on the territory of the republic dates back to the 7th-6th centuries BC. But in the vicinity of Naftalan, which is located in the west of the country, an unusual oil was discovered, called Naftalan. This type of oil began to be used in official medicine at the end of the 19th century, although Marco Polo, who visited this region in the 13th century, mentioned that medicinal oil was exported from Naftalan to other countries.

Today, naphthalan grade oil, which is extracted from several wells on the banks of the Naftalan River, is used to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, skin diseases and many other ailments. As has been reliably proven by a number of medical studies, naphthalan has an anti-inflammatory and vasodilating effect, and also contributes to the normalization of metabolic processes in the body.

The first balneological resort in the village of Naftalan was opened in 1926, and in the modern city there are several specialized sanatoriums that use therapeutic oil for their procedures. The city of Naftalan is the best suited for a balneological resort: it has a favorable climate, picturesque nature, and only 9.5 thousand people live in a small cozy town.

In addition, the world's only “Crutch Museum” is located in the city of Naftalan. This unusual collection contains crutches that visitors to the balneological resort left after treatment with naphthalan.

Today, products based on naphthalan oil are undergoing medical research in Germany and other European countries. So it is quite possible that the small resort town of Naftalan will soon become famous all over the world, thanks to its wonderful oil.