HISTORY OF THE SPRING'S DISCOVERY
The history of LUGELA begins in the picturesque mountainous region of western Georgia, in the gorge of the Khobis-Tskali river, near the village of Mukhuri. It is here that, for many centuries, an unusually high-mineralized natural water of unique composition has surfaced from the depths of volcanic rocks, later named LUGELA. (Wikipedia)
Long before the beginning of scientific studies, local residents were well acquainted with this spring. Mineral water was mainly used externally for various skin diseases, joint problems, and long-lasting unhealed wounds. The unusual properties of the water were passed down from generation to generation and gradually formed the spring's reputation as having pronounced therapeutic effects.
A turning point came at the beginning of the 20th century when the spring first attracted the attention of scientists. The first chemical studies showed that the water has exceptionally high mineralization and is sharply different in composition from most known mineral waters. Researchers were especially interested in the unusually high natural calcium chloride content, as well as the presence of a complex of macro-, micro-, and rare elements. Even then, it was suggested that such an unusual natural composition deserves deep medical study.
In the 1930s, on behalf of Georgia’s health authorities, large-scale hydrogeological studies of the deposit were organized. After drilling, the spring's flow rate increased by tens of times, which made it possible not only to further study the water but also to apply it practically in medicine. At the same time, experts in balneology, pharmacology, physiology, and clinical medicine were involved in the research of LUGELA.
From this time begins the unique scientific history of LUGELA. Over the following decades, numerous experimental, pharmacological, and clinical studies were conducted. Scientists studied the water’s effects on metabolism, hematopoiesis, internal organ functions, skin condition, gastrointestinal tract, and other physiological processes. The results of these works formed the basis of monographs, dissertations, and scientific publications, many of which are available in the LUGELA Scientific Library.
The history of LUGELA spring’s discovery is the story of the transition from folk experience to fundamental science. Few natural therapeutic waters have undergone such a long research path and received such a comprehensive scientific evaluation. Thanks to this, LUGELA today represents not only a unique natural spring but also an important part of scientific heritage shaped by the efforts of several generations of researchers.
⬇️ Go to scientific materials