Egypt's Cure since Pharaohs Era
The therapeutic property of Egypt’s climate has been mentioned since the Greek era. Socrates, the founder of climatic physiotherapy, referred to this fact in his famous papers entitled “Egypt and Climatic Therapy”. He advised people to go to Egypt and enjoy its warm weather and refreshing sea breeze. Following his advice, tourists have been coming to Egypt for hundreds of years for cures to ailments often caused by Europe’s colder, more humid climate.
Therapeutic Tourist Sites:
Tourist sites offering curative services in Egypt include Helwan, Hurghada, Fayoum Oasis, Aswan, Sinai and Safaga on the Red Sea coast, among others.
Aswan, Sand Bathing and Further South:
Since Pharaonic time, Aswan was known for its environmental therapy, as scenes from at the Kom Ombo temple reveal.Aswan’s dry weather is ideal for sand bathing during the period from May to September. Sand bathing is useful for curing various diseases such as rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. The pollution free environment also contribute to speedy recovery. Further, Abu Simbel, with its high rate of ultraviolet rays and a low humidity rate during the period from December to March, also provide a congenial environment for treatment of these diseases.
New Valley’s Curative Springs and Herbs:
This area also has a typically dry climate. Here, hot water wells and springs linked to swimming pools all the year round. These wells provide therapy for common colds, rheumatism and some skin diseases such as psoriasis.
In addition, medicinal herbs are randomly spread out all over the New Valley. “Al’Sekran” can be used for extracting anesthetic materials for surgeries. “Jujube” (Karkade) is used to cure high blood pressure, especially when caused by nervous stress.
The Red Sea and Treatment of Psoriasis:
Marsa Alam and Safaga are well known sites for therapeutic tourism. Safaga is one of the best locations in the world for curing psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The high mountains act as a natural barrier against wind and sand storms. Due to the abundance of coral reefs, the water is saltier than other seas, this is thought to improve blood circulation. Also the soil contain black sand, which is useful in curing acute and chronic arthritis, rheumatism and skin inflammations. Those suffering are buried in the black sand, with the exception of the head, stomach and chest, after sunrise and before sunset. Psoriasis patients, on the other hand, bathe in the sea and lie down in the sun, also twice a day.
Other Sites for Curing Rheumatism and Renal Diseases:
Siwa Oasis, Gabal Dakrour (Mount Takrour) and Hamamat Cleopatra (Cleopatra’s Bath) are the most important sites for therapeutic tourism. By boiling the deep subterranean pollution free mineral water a treatment is available for treating renal stones.Gabal al Dakrour is important for the tourists to Siwa in treating Rheumatism and general weakness by burying the patient in hot sands surrounding the mountain.
Old Helwan and its Sulfuric Springs:
Helwan area south of Cairo enjoys a unique geographical location and unique water springs. Helwan Sulfuric center for rheumatism and physio therapy was established to provide therapeutically treatment of: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, neuritis, neuralgia, myopathy, neuropsyctric diseases such as chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma & skin diseases.
Oyoun Mossa and Hammam Pharaon in Sinai:
Oyoun Mossa (Moses springs) and Hammam Pharaon (Pharaoh’s bath) are some of the most important sites for therapeutic tourism in Sinai. Hammam Pharaon is a group of hot sulfuric water springs extending along the Suez Gulf. On top of these springs, there lies a carved rocky cave that natives use as a hot bath.The Oyoun Mossa area comprises twelve springs. Here, visitors are often overwhelmed by a sense of spiritual comfort.
Few people today realize the significance of Egypt’s therapeutic past. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Egypt was almost as important to European travelers as a health destination as it was for classical antiquity tours. They still come, and they are still cured of many ailments by Egypt’s hot, dry climate and numerous natural hot spring