Speleotherapy: Ukrainian Salt Mine Therapy

In the 1970’s Ukraine salt was considered a panacea for all ills. These rather awesome photos depict a salt mine that was converted into a “speleotherapy” unit. People with various ailments (most commonly lung based beefs) would descend 1,000 feet into this disused salt mine and soak up its health benefits. In its heyday 500 people a year were treated in the cave and the waiting list was months long.

The caves have been known as a reliable source of salt for hundreds of years, there are salty lakes sitting on top of the cave system which some believe are even saltier than the Dead Sea. But it was during the swinging 70’s that this new medicinal use for them came to fruition. But why did people believe salt was so darned healthy? Apparently in the 50’s, salt miners that worked daily in the salt caves seemed to have fewer respiratory disease. That was enough of a connection to get the general populous’ brains racing.

It’s actually not all that daft, the salt repels bacteria and the depth ensures a pretty consistent 22 degree temperature, both things which might help a body prone to illness.

The service was only halted in 2008 when some water breached the walls and completely flooded one section of the caves; it was no longer considered safe down there. Shame.

Here’s the, now abandoned, above ground part of the complex…