What is salt therapy?

Salt therapy, also known as Halotherapy, is a natural and drugless treatment which uses only a natural salt. Salt therapy is carried out in a salt cave or salt room. And Halotherapy is reportedly found effective in curing various types of respiratory and skin related problems. Salt therapy is an ancient Greek treatment, Halo means "salt" in Greek, which is practised over centuries. There have been umpteen types of halotherapy practised over the millennia. The first ever use of salt cave or salt room was reported to be in Poland dating back to the 12th century.

History of Salt therapy

Salt Therapy, AKA Halotherapy, has been in existence from the 18th century. Salt room therapy is used as a healing treatment for various ailments and problems around the globe. Salt therapy is one among the numerous accidental discoveries. To be precise, 200 years Polish Dr.Felix Botchkowski was awestruck by the unplausible health condition of salt miners in his locale. He noticed that thdose salt miners had better lung functioning than anyone. And they had not experienced any discomforts or lung-related problems like chronic bronchitis, asthma or pneumonia. Interestingly, what more had pushed him further to this discovery is that he was able to see the miners who had a respiratory problem before working in the salt cave had better lung functioning and fewer symptoms after they started working in salt caves as the days passed on. In 1843, Dr.Botchkowski wrote a book about his findings. Dr.Botchkowski named Speleotherapy which is an archaic term for Salt therapy. "Spelenos" is the Greek term for a cave. Dr.Mstislav Poljokowski, who is the predecessor of Dr.Botchkowski, started the first-ever Salt spa or Salt cave in Poland. And still, it is in operation today.

The benefits of these salt caves and mines came to limelight during the end of World War II. Because often, these salt caves were bomb shelters during World War II. The wounded who were taken to the salt caves and mines had better respiration and felt better. When this spread in the air across the world, many salt spas and salt caves opened in European countries like Germany, Yugoslavia and Hungary. In 1968, Salt therapy or Speleotherapy was officially authorized by the Hospital of Allergic Disease.

How salt therapy is done?

Salt therapy just like any other therapy is done inside a room but where the walls and ceilings are made of the special salt. Usually, this room is known as a Salt Room or Salt cave. In addition to the salt-made walls, the salt room is supplied with salt-laden air. The salt-laden air inside the salt cave is generated by the Halogenerator - a device purges the crushed and grounded the salt and this fine minute salt particles will be dispersed into the air inside the salt room. These minute microscopic salt particles are inhaled during the salt therapy. Since the salt used salt room therapy has anti-inflammatory properties, these minute salt microns and ions are effective in mitigating the agitated respiratory systems. This will, in turn, alleviate swelling in the respiratory tracts and also, it will stimulate the body's cilia movement. Cilia is very minute hair-like structure on the cells which moves constantly to maintain the flow of surrounding liquid. Cilium is also known as Bronchial brush which is responsible for thinning the mucus allowing it to expel the allergens, pathogens and even nicotine debris in the lungs and other respiratory systems. These salt ions being negatively charged ions, will enhance mood, reduce stress and anxiety. The patient who seeks salt therapy is allowed to relax inside the salt room or salt cave. All he/she has to do during the salt therapy session is to breathe and relax. Salt therapy is also practised for children with respiratory problems.

Benefits of Salt Therapy

Salt therapy aids in treating different respiratory problems such as cold and flu, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies. In fact, salt therapy is also widely being used to treat skin disorders like acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. The minute salt particles will penetrate into the epidermis and enhance the skin's protective properties. These salt particles are known to promote the growth of good bacteria and exfoliate the harmful bacteria. On the other hand, this salt can balance the pH levels and stimulates the cell regeneration process of the skin.

Salt therapy can also lower the IgE level (Immunoglobulin E), a type of antibody. The antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight against the bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Usually, IgE antibodies are found in small amounts. The high IgE levels can cause the body to overreact to the harmful bacteria or viruses.

How long the Salt Therapy has to be practised?

Many reports claim that it is still unclear whether salt therapy is the permanent solution to skin disorders and respiratory problems. But usually, the salt therapy is practised for about 10 to 20 sessions with each session lasting about 1 hour.