Halotherapy, or salt therapy, involves breathing in fine salt particles for health benefits. Discovered in the early 12th century, salt therapy was formally studied in the 1800s. Research has shown halotherapy can be helpful for respiratory symptoms. This includes chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis among others. Patients reported less cough, shortness of breath, and better respiratory function versus no therapy. One study looked at particulate matter in a salt cave, and they found the deeper they went, the fewer particles or "cleaner" the air was. There was less pollen and no measurable toxins present in the air. Some even claim halotherapy has anti-aging effects. Halotherapy may reduce skin inflammation, irritation, and even various skin infections. It can potentially help with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and more.

Where to Look

If you’d like to give this a try, look for a local salt therapy business. They use halotherapy which often includes a man-made chamber filled with salty air. Generally, a halogenerator is present to maintain the aerosolized salt in the area. Typically, a salt therapy session lasts 30-60 minutes and involves relaxing or meditating while breathing the salty air. Soft music or low lights may also be present to make a more supportive wellness environment.

If you are lucky enough to live near a salt mine, especially in Europe, there may be a naturally occurring salt cave available for therapy. This is called speleotherapy and can be supportive with a wide variety of essential minerals present in the air. Speleotherapy is almost exclusively available in Eastern Europe. If you want to try salt therapy and you live in the United States, halotherapy is one of the best options available. Either way, salt therapy is usually well-tolerated by folks of all ages, but you will still want to discuss this and any other treatment with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.

Have more questions? Dr. Blandford offers a 15 minute Discovery Visit to learn more about your natural health options.

Resources:

1. Barber, Daniella, et al. 2022. "Halotherapy for Chronic Respiratory Disorders: From the Cave to the Clinical." Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine; 28(3): 52-56.
2. Crisan-Dabija, R., et al. 2021. "Halotherapy—An Ancient Natural Ally in the Management of Asthma: A Comprehensive Review." Healthcare; 9: 1604. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9111604
3. Puławska, Aleksandra, et al. 2021. "Origin, Distribution, and Perspective Health Benefits of Particulate Matter in the Air of Underground Salt Mine: A Case Study from Bochnia, Poland." Environmental Geochemistry and Health; 43(9): 3533-3556. doi:10.1007/s10653-021-00832-2
4. Tonkin, Leo. 2021. "The Complete History of Dry Salt Therapy." SALT Chamber. https://saltchamberinc.com/blog/history-dry-salt-therapy/
5. Leiva, Courtney. 2016. "I Spent 30 Minutes in a Pile of Salt to Try to Get Perfect Skin: There Was Salt Everywhere...*Everywhere.*" https://stylecaster.com/beauty/skin-care/642669/dry-salt-therapy-beauty/

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