What is Naftalan oil and what is it used for

Where Naftalan oil comes from

Naftalan is a small resort town in western Azerbaijan, about 330 km from Baku and about 50 km from Ganja. The oil extracted there gave the town its name, and the town is regarded as the historic home of this therapy. Heavy oils of this kind are rare, and the local deposit has been studied and used in medicine since the early twentieth century.

Most international flights land in Baku, and the drive to Naftalan takes about 4 to 5 hours. Ganja has the nearest airport, about 45 minutes away by car. Trains also run from Baku to Goran station near the town, usually in the evening, followed by a short taxi or minibus ride.

A short history of Naftalan

In the late nineteenth century a German engineer bought land in the area to extract oil. The oil turned out to burn poorly as fuel, but its medicinal properties soon became known. An ointment based on it was produced and exported, and the name Naftalan gradually became associated with treatment rather than with industry.

In 1920 the deposit was nationalised. A plant for producing Naftalan ointment was built in 1926, and research into its effects began in 1928. Over the twentieth century the town developed into a health resort, where physicians gradually shaped the procedures that are still used today. Today the town is known above all as a place people visit for Naftalan therapy.

What Naftalan oil is made of, in plain words

Naftalan is a thick, dark, heavy oil. Its main part consists of naphthenic hydrocarbons, often cited at around half of its composition, and these substances are thought to be linked to its effects on the skin and tissues. The oil also contains aromatic hydrocarbons, resins, sulphur compounds and small amounts of trace elements.

Because of this composition, Naftalan burns poorly, which is why it was never valuable as fuel. Crude Naftalan also contains polycyclic aromatic compounds, some of which are potentially harmful. For this reason pharmacy products use refined Naftalan, from which these substances are removed, while baths with crude oil are given for a limited time under medical supervision.

How Naftalan is used

At the resort, Naftalan is used in several forms, and the physician chooses the form, the duration and the number of procedures after examining the patient. The choice depends on the diagnosis, the area affected and the general state of health, as well as on any other conditions the patient has. Different forms are often combined within one course, for example baths together with applications to particular joints.

After a bath or application the oil is removed from the skin, and the patient rests. Procedures are usually combined with physiotherapy, massage and therapeutic exercise, so Naftalan is one part of a wider treatment plan rather than a standalone remedy. Rest after a procedure is part of the treatment too, so physicians usually advise against planning long walks or trips for those hours.

• Warm baths at about 36 to 38 °C, lasting a few minutes, with the duration set by the resort physician.
• Local applications of warm oil to the joints, the spine or areas of the skin.
• Refined Naftalan ointments, creams and liniments, used on the advice of a doctor.

What Naftalan is traditionally used for

Naftalan therapy is traditionally offered for chronic conditions outside an acute flare, most often for skin and musculoskeletal complaints. Whether Naftalan is suitable for a particular person is always decided individually, after the physician has reviewed the medical documents and examined the patient. If the disease is in a flare, the course is usually postponed.

In psoriasis, some patients report less scaling and itching after a course. In joint and back conditions, some describe less stiffness. Results vary between people and may not last, so Naftalan is usually seen as supportive therapy alongside the treatment prescribed by the regular doctor.

• Chronic plaque psoriasis and some other chronic skin conditions.
• Joint pain and stiffness, for example in osteoarthritis.
• Back and neck pain related to degenerative changes of the spine.

What science says about Naftalan

Scientific evidence on Naftalan is limited. There are small studies in humans as well as laboratory and animal studies, which point to anti-inflammatory and other effects. However, there are no large randomised trials, so it is not possible to say with certainty how well Naftalan works or for whom it works best. Results also depend on the diagnosis, the stage of the disease and other treatment.

This is why responsible physicians describe Naftalan as a traditional method that may help some patients, not as a cure. Expectations should be realistic. A course may bring relief for a period of time, but it does not replace the regular treatment and follow up recommended by a dermatologist, rheumatologist or other specialist.

How a Naftalan course works

A course begins with an examination by the resort physician, who checks for contraindications and draws up a programme. It usually includes about 10 to 14 baths, often alternating with rest days, so a stay commonly lasts about two to three weeks. Procedures take place indoors and courses run all year, although spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable seasons. During the course the physician monitors how the patient feels and adjusts the programme when needed.

Before the trip it helps to gather recent medical reports and a list of current medicines. MedAzerbaijan can review your documents, pass them to the resort physicians and arrange the journey, accommodation and an interpreter, while all medical decisions remain with the doctors. This gives the physicians a full picture in advance and lets you plan the dates calmly.

Frequently asked questions