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Halotherapy: Top Benefits of A Salt Room
THE POWER OF HIMALAYAN SALT.
Have ya’ll ever heard of halotherapy? If not, I’d be happy to schmeducate you real quick.
Let’s talk some history.
Halotherapy - a.k.a. salt therapy - dates all the way back to the 15th century. The use of salt for medical purposes goes back even further. The ancient Greeks knew the value of salt-based remedies, as they understood it to have expectorant powers. The healing methods of Hippocrates (460 BC) made frequent use of salt and specifically mentions the inhalation of steam from salt-water for the relief of respiratory symptoms.
Fast forward to the 1800’s, the benefits of salt therapy were noted in a book published in 1843 by Polish doctor Felix Boczkowski. Dr Boczkowski, a physician at the Wieliczka salt mine, observed a remarkably low incidence of respiratory conditions in salt miners. He formulated that the presence of air in the salt mine, saturated with dry salt particles, had a healing effect on those with respiratory and pulmonary discomforts. His successor set up a spa based on these observations.
During WWII, Dr Karl Hermann Spannagel noticed improvements in the health of his patients as they hid in the Kluterthöhle karst salt cave in Germany to escape heavy bombing. Dr Spannagel noted that while staying in the cave patient’s coughing had subsided and those with respiratory discomfort breathed more easily. Ever since, the Kluterthöhle karst salt cave has continued to be used for the medical treatment of respiratory diseases.
Underground treatment in salt caves was the only method available until, in 1987, a new technique was developed in Russia. The first Speleochambers, or Salt Rooms, were constructed using mined salt rock from deep underground, shaped into blocks. These Salt Rooms recreated the microclimate of a salt cave in an above ground clinic.
So, although in the United States salt therapy is becoming more popular rightnow, it’s definitely not new. In fact, salt therapy is extremely popular in Eastern Europe - with thousands of salt rooms to date.
What is salt therapy?
There are a few different types of salt therapy. But the most common type is the dry method. The session typically takes place in a custom built salt room that’s free of humidity and lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes.
A device called a halogenerator grinds pharmaceutical grade salt into microscopic particles and releases them into the air of the room. Once inhaled, these salt particles are free to absorb irritants, including allergens & toxins, from the respiratory system. Salt also produces negative ions, which causes your body to release more serotonin (our feel good hormone). In turn, those negatively charged ions work to improve depression, anxiety, & overall mood. Yayy for happiness.
The concentration of particles in halotherapy is about 10 to 15 times the concentration found by the sea. So, a 45-minute session is equal to three days by the ocean (minus the Miami Vice in hand). A great way to think of it is like this: kinetically activated dry salt particles are like an army of janitors helping to detox the respiratory system.
There are close to 200 salt rooms or beds in the United States. Some facilities offer massage and other treatments in the rooms so you can literally “recharge” from two treatments in one. Salt beds or booths only require 15 to 20 minute sessions as the salt concentration is higher.
While in the salt room, similar to a meditation session, you breathe deeply while listening to calming music and focusing on the natural beauty of the salt crystals that typically line the walls. The pure environment is precisely balanced with 40 to 50 percent humidity and 70 to 75 degrees F temperatures. The average service costs $25 to $45 and lasts 45 minutes.
Ok, dope. But what does it do?
The benefits of salt therapy are wide-ranging. Because pure sea salt (Himalayan and Dead Sea salt) contains 84 elements and trace elements found in the human body, salt levels affect everything from our cellular activity to our energy to our blood sugar levels. And when it comes to inhalation, salt acts as a natural antimicrobial & antibacterial.
LET’S TALK LUNGS.
An average adult takes about 12-15 breaths per minute and children about 20-30 breaths per minute. The main function of the lungs is to deliver oxygen to our red blood cells and get rid of the carbon dioxide from the body. In addition, our respiratory tract acts as a very important defense mechanism by filtering the air from pollutants and foreign substances, it regulates the pH level of blood by managing the levels of carbon dioxide, & it helps control blood pressure by converting a chemical in the blood, called angiotensin I, into angiotensin II.
People are exposed to pollutants, airborne diseases, bacteria, allergens and other irritating factors on a daily basis. Halotherapy works to cleanse and detox the lungs as well as invigorate the entire body with increased lung capacity and oxygen intake.
Scientific research has found that inhaled dry salt particles have bactericide, mucokinetic, hydrophilic, and anti-inflammatory properties - a fancy way of saying that halotherapy can reduce inflammation and mucus in the entire respiratory tract and widen the airway passages. Dry salt particles are also known to accelerate the transportation of mucus, the elimination of residual tar and foreign allergens. A clean respiratory system naturally results in higher oxygen intake, increased energy, and an improved immune system.
Dry salt is super absorbent and acts like a sponge attracting foreign substances along its path through the respiratory tract. The dry salt basically behaves like a toothbrush that cleans through the respiratory system removing build-up of foreign elements that cause various respiratory ailments and conditions.
A majority of people who include Halotherapy in their wellness routine may find relief from a variety of respiratory conditions such as:
WHAT ABOUT SKIN?
Our skin is a very complex and intelligent organ that has many important functions. It is the largest organ and, like the respiratory system, it has a major role to protect and defend the body against bacteria, viruses and other microbes. It also excretes wastes, regulates temperature, and prevents dehydration by controlling the level of perspiration. It houses sensory receptors that detect pain, sensation and pressure.
Skin conditions can also be improved with halotherapy. Table salt, sodium chloride, is dehydrating, but pure mineral salts have natural moisturizing properties and support the skin’s water balance and barrier function by attracting moisture to the skin. Minerals are necessary for cell function and detoxification, so mineral salts have strong rejuvenating properties.
Scientific research has confirmed that the micro-particles of salt have a beneficial influence to the integumentary system (skin protective layer) and hairs providing healing and cosmetic effects. This increases activity of skin cell ion channels and activates electrophysiological activity that determines the skin’s protective properties. The salt provides pH normalization and induces reparative and regenerative processes in derma, increases skin rigidity, stimulates growth and improves hair health. The dry salt impacts the skin microcirculation and assists cellular membrane activity used in dermatology and cosmetology and enhances their effectiveness.
Too many science-y words, I hear ya.
What I’m saying is that regular and consistent halotherapy may help people with the following skin conditions:
OF COURSE, I’M NOT DONE YET.
The calming and detoxifying effects of halotherapy also supports the immune, nervous and lymphatic systems. Additional benefits are reduced stress and headaches, increased energy, and better sleep patterns.
It’s natural, safe, and there are no harmful side effects. Overall, halotherapy is very beneficial for overall wellness by removing the toxicity from the respiratory system, improving the function and appearance of the skin and boosting the immune system.
So, I mean, why not go relax, read a book, listen to some music, & breathe some salty air while sitting in a pretty room?
MY FAVE PLACE: THE SALT CENTER IN ALPHARETTA, GA. IF YOU’RE LOCAL - BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT! YOU CAN RECEIVE MASSAGE THERAPY OR A REIKI SESSION WHILE SUBMERGED IN THE AMAZING GOODNESS OF THIS SALT WALL.
Note: Halotherapy is recognized as a safe and effective wellness practice for preventive and restorative health care. It is not a medical treatment and does not offer a cure. Halotherapy is not recommended for people with contagious diseases, fever, open wounds, cancer, severe hypertension, mental disorders, and active tuberculosis. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before using Halotherapy. Anyone with serious health concerns needs to seek proper medical advice and care.
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The Discovery Doc - Dr. CeCe Brooks - Atlanta Holistic NP
