THE 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, over many centuries, an unusual high-mineralized natural water emerges from the depths of volcanic rocks, which later received the name LUGELA. (Wikipedia)
Long before the start of scientific research, local residents were well aware of this spring. The mineral water was mainly used externally for various skin diseases, joint conditions, and long-lasting wounds. The unusual properties of the water were passed down from generation to generation and gradually formed the reputation of a spring with pronounced healing effects.
A turning point came at the beginning of the 20th century when the spring first attracted the attention of scientists. Early chemical studies showed that the water has an exceptionally high mineralization and is sharply different in composition from most known mineral waters. Researchers were especially intrigued by the extraordinarily high content of natural calcium chloride, 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 deserved in-depth medical study.
In the 1930s, by order of the Georgian health authorities, large-scale hydrogeological studies of the deposit were organized. After drilling operations, the spring's discharge increased by tens of times, making possible not only further study of the water but also its practical application in medicine. At the same time, specialists in the fields of 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 carried out. Scientists studied the effects of the water on metabolism, hematopoiesis, functions of internal organs, skin condition, the gastrointestinal tract, and other physiological processes. The results of these studies became the basis for monographs, dissertations, and scientific publications, many of which are presented in the LUGELA Scientific Library.
The history of the discovery of the LUGELA spring is the story of a transition from folk experience to fundamental science. Few natural healing waters have undergone such a long path of research and received such comprehensive scientific evaluation. Thanks to this, LUGELA today represents not only a unique natural source but also an important part of the scientific heritage shaped by the efforts of several generations of researchers.