Salt Therapy for Respiratory Relief

Salt therapy is a form of alternative medicine that treats respiratory ailments using salt. This healing method is based on a Polish practice of immersing patients in mineral water in the 12th century.

As the name implies, salt therapy utilizes dry salt to treat various ailments. It works by exposing the patient to a room covered in salt (salt caves, salt grottos, salt chambers, salt rooms, etc.), allowing the patient to breathe the salted air in.

Types of Salt Therapies

There are two types of salt therapies: Speleotherapy and Halotherapy.

Speleotherapy: This therapy exposes the patient to natural salt from salt mines and caves below the earth’s surface. The condition below the ground is nice and cool, allowing for proper healing.  Salt caverns are very common in Europe. Glaciers from thousands of years ago created salt deposits in the caves. Several caverns were converted to accommodate patients suffering from respiratory diseases.

Halotherapy: This technique harnesses the effects of salt therapy in a controlled environment, not in a natural salt cave or a salt mine. These environments include salt rooms, salt chambers, or using dry salt aerosol. Salt nebulizers and salt pipe inhalers are used to disperse dry salt crystals with just a touch of a button. Salt lamps are also used to replicate the effects of a salt mine. Some patients also drink a saline solution for respiratory relief.

The Benefits of Salt Therapy

Eases Respiratory Symptoms

Salt therapy is often used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. It is also used to treat seasonal allergies, ear infections, whooping cough, cystic fibrosis, and tonsillitis. Natural salt contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents that promote proper airflow. Microscopic salt crystals dispersed into the air thin out mucus, clear congestion, and boost mucociliary activity.

Salt Therapy helps rebalance the surface liquid of the airways, improve lung capacity, and restore lung function. Regular salt therapies also promote a healthy respiratory system.

Treats Skin Diseases

If you are suffering from inflammatory diseases that cause inflamed, itchy skin, you will benefit from undergoing salt therapy. Salt therapy helps reduce dryness that leads to skin itchiness and scaliness. It heals small fissures, lesions, or skin abrasion while reducing edema on post-surgical scars. Salt therapy minimizes inflammation, allowing skin lesions to heal properly. This treatment is perfect for those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, acne, and stress-induced breakouts.

Strengthens the Immune System

Yes, salt therapy promotes immunity too. The anti-inflammatory agents in natural salt reduce the body’s immunity response. Reducing the immune response of the body minimizes allergy symptoms. Salt therapy alleviates stress by generating negative ions that strengthen the immune system. It helps reduce fatigue and revitalize the body.

Alleviates Stress

Apart from treating respiratory and skin diseases, salt therapy is also incredibly relaxing. Imagine sitting in a quiet, semi-dark room for at least 15 minutes, just basking on the tranquility. The therapy alleviates stress, boosts cardiovascular functions, and rejuvenates the senses.  Salt therapy is the perfect opportunity to slow down, relax, and focus on your breathing. The effects of salt therapy to the mental health is similar to that of meditating.