Armenian Salt Mine Clinic Offers Hope for Asthma Patients Amid Funding Crisis

In Armenia, a group of asthma patients finds hope deep underground in a functioning salt mine. Each morning, they descend approximately 250 meters into the earth to spend six hours in a space carved from salt, believing the unique air quality will alleviate their respiratory ailments. This alternative treatment, known as speleotherapy, is based on the belief that the salt-saturated, allergen-free air of the mine can reduce respiratory diseases.

Since its opening in 1987, the Soviet-era mine has attracted patients from both within Armenia and abroad. The journey begins with an industrial lift that transports them beneath a residential area on the outskirts of Yerevan. Once at the bottom, a network of tunnels carved into the salt rock forms the treatment area, resembling a Cold War bunker more than a medical facility. Here, patients rest, play billiards, exercise, or simply sit in the quiet environment.

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I have tried various treatments, and this is the only one that has truly worked. Before trying it, I thought it was nonsense, but now I truly believe. This treatment has saved me.

Dr. Anush Voskanyan, who has served at the clinic since 1989, explained that the idea for the clinic originated from observations of salt mine workers experiencing significantly lower rates of respiratory illness. Researchers studied the mine's microclimate, leading to the establishment of specialized underground clinics in former Soviet bloc countries. Voskanyan attributes the health benefits to a combination of factors: the salt-rich air, a stable temperature around 19 degrees Celsius year-round, and an environment free from allergens, pollution, noise, and radiation.

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It may seem strange, but after a few days people start to enjoy the tranquility here.

Patients typically spend six hours a day underground for a three-week treatment period. Voskanyan notes that the first week allows the body to adjust to the unique environment, with benefits gradually becoming apparent thereafter. However, the clinic now faces an uncertain future. The Armenian government has withdrawn its funding, sparking debate about the government's role in supporting alternative medicine practices like speleotherapy.

One patient, Mikayel Torosian, shared his experience: "I have tried various treatments, and this is the only one that has truly worked. Before trying it, I thought it was nonsense, but now I truly believe. This treatment has saved me."

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This is the perfect climate to live in. Here, you feel like you are not aging.