Broad and vast Russia. On its open spaces a huge number of places where it is worth visiting not only to admire their beauty. Many tourists visit them for another purpose. They go there to improve their health. One of such places is Tambukan - a lake, at the bottom of which there are deposits of healing mud.
A bit of history
The first historical information that mentions the name of the reservoir dates back to 1773. There are several versions of the origin of the lake. Scientists can not decide which one is true. Some believe that Tambukan originated from groundwater. Others argue that this place used to be the old bed of the Etoka River, with which the reservoir is still connected. There is another hypothesis, incredibly beautiful and mysterious, but more like a legend. Some historians believe that Tambukan is the remains of the ancient sea. Such a statement has no scientific justification; therefore, it exists at the level of myths and traditions.
Name Features
But with toponymy everything is simple. Do not look for any hidden meaning in the name of the lake. He is simply not there. It is named after Prince Tambiev. This is a famous Kabardian military leader who died in 1702 in the vicinity of Podkumka and was buried in these places.
As soon as they did not name the lake in different years: Tambi, Tambi-kol. But today the name Tambukan, that is, "a haven for Tambia," is firmly entrenched in it.
Reservoir characteristic
Mysteriously and unusual lake Tambukan. A photo can convey its majesty, but it will never demonstrate the aura with which it is surrounded. Responses of local residents and tourists indicate that at first glance the pond may seem a little creepy. The thing is that even on a calm day, when the bright sun shines, the water surface looks absolutely black. At the same time, Tambukan is famous for its transparency. This is the key to such a rich, frightening shade. Through transparent water deposits of therapeutic mud are clearly visible, which gives the reservoir a black color.
The lake is among the shallow. Its depth is only 2 meters. Tambukan is a lake that has no runoff. It is fueled by thawed snow and rain, as well as the waters of Etoka. However, people, knowing about the healing properties of this natural object, took care of it in their hands. Today, 2 wells have been drilled and a conduit for replenishing the lake has been installed.
The water in it is salty, so even those vacationers who do not know how to swim, feel quite comfortable in the waters of Tambukan. However, doctors warn that it is better to refrain from adopting independent water procedures. After all, the dirt that is at the bottom has not only medicinal properties. She also has many contraindications. Therefore, without consulting a specialist, you can not use it in any way.
Therapeutic mud of Lake Tambukan
This is a real highlight of the reservoir. Vacationers come here not only to admire the picturesque surroundings, which Lake Tambukan is famous for (photos perfectly demonstrate the beauty of the miraculous nature). They come also in order to cure chronic diseases, improve well-being, strengthen immunity and increase vitality.
At the bottom of the reservoir is about one and a half million tons of mud. Its use for medicinal purposes began as early as 1886. And during the Great Patriotic War, it was the mud dressings that saved the wounded lying in the CMS hospitals.
The bottom deposits of the Tambukan are a plastic mass consisting of several layers. The upper one is rather dark and liquid, the middle one is represented by dirt itself. These two therapeutic substances are connected by a layer of algae. The lowest layer is dark gray, not black. It is more dense. And under it is already clay.
Experts say that the therapeutic mud of Lake Tambukan is several times more useful than the bottom sediments of the famous Dead Sea. The Stavropol variety belongs to the medium-sulfide highly mineralized group. Its mineralization is quite high, from about 30 to 100 grams per liter. It also contains many organic compounds and chemical elements: strontium, potassium, silver, magnesium and others.
Let's talk about the composition of therapeutic mud
It is no coincidence that Tambukan Lake is popular with holidaymakers. Treatment there will help to forget about many ailments. And all this thanks to the mud, which has a unique composition.
The bulk of the bottom sediments are blue-green algae, which contain many elements that are beneficial to the human body. They include:
- About 60% of amino acids.
- The amount of beta-carotene is 25 times the content of this element in carrots.
- Algae is the richest source of iron.
- Vitamin E is contained 3 times more than in wheat germ.
- There is also vitamin B, which is 6 times more than in beef liver.
That is why dirt can strengthen immunity, lower cholesterol. In addition, they are easily digestible.
In addition, humic acid, which is the basis of the Humisol preparation, is part of the mud. Penicillin-like compounds are also present in the bottom sediments, which makes it possible to treat infected wounds.
What is lecithin capable of?
In addition to vitamins, algae contains another useful substance. It's about lecithin. It has a huge impact on the human body and is involved in a number of important processes.
So, lecithin is capable of:
- Repair damaged cells and participate in the formation of new ones.
- Prevent the development of cirrhosis.
- Improve attention and memory.
- Increase muscle endurance.
- Reduce insulin dependence by lowering blood glucose.
- Prevent obesity and improve metabolism.
Lecithin is simply indispensable in the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis.
The great power of lipids
In the composition of the Tambukan mud, lipids with a complex structure were also found. They give it its bactericidal properties. Thanks to lipids, the protective properties of the body are restored, the aging process slows down, the development of pathologies stops.
They include fatty acids, pigments, sulfur-containing substances, sterols.
When does dirt come to the rescue?
If you believe the reviews of vacationers, Tambukan is a lake that can give healing. It is nice to relax here, and the mud extracted from its bottom is used in all sanatoriums of the CMS.
However, the most popular mud clinic in Essentuki. It not only offers a wide range of services, but is also considered one of the most beautiful resort places.
The treatment here is carried out using mud from Lake Tambukan. The range of indications for use is quite extensive. So, mud baths help with:
- Diseases of the skin, including they cope well with scars and scars.
- Gastritis, ulcers and other diseases of the stomach.
- Problems with the musculoskeletal system and joints. Dirt helps with osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, eliminates the effects of fractures.
- Numerous gynecological diseases.
- Paralysis, radiculitis and other diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
- Bronchial asthma and bronchitis.
- Male genital diseases: infertility, prostatitis and others.
- Pyelonephritis (provided that there are no stones) cystitis and other ailments associated with the kidneys.
In addition, therapeutic mud can increase the body's defenses, remove cellulite, and prevent obesity. Many dental diseases also respond well to treatment with it.
Contraindications
However, before you go for treatment, carefully listen to the reviews of medical specialists. Almost all of them recognize the miraculous properties of dirt, but strongly recommend that you refrain from treatment in the following cases:
- In the presence of tumors (it does not matter whether they are malignant or benign).
- During exacerbation of chronic diseases.
- If you are allergic to at least one component of the dirt.
- At all stages of pregnancy.
- With mental diseases and diseases of the blood-forming organs.
Neglect of these recommendations may lead to the fact that treatment will not bring benefits, but harm.
Tambukan Lake: how to get there?
You can get to any CMS resort either by plane or by train. The latter option is much cheaper. Tambukan is a lake which can be accessed in different ways: from the Kabardino-Balkaria and from the Stavropol Territory (it is 9 kilometers from Pyatigorsk).
Reviews of tourists indicate that in the Stavropol Territory, the entrance is blocked by barriers, but the lake is clearly visible from afar. From the CBD you can drive up without problems. However, it is not recommended to enter the water, as it is forbidden for many diseases.
Also, tourists pay attention to one more fact. Mud can be brought home and used, for example, as part of face masks. Just for starters, you should learn from local Circassians about how to clean it.
Many advantages and benefits of Lake Tambukan. The reviews of those who have visited it at least once confirm this.