Salt is a very popular condiment worldwide that adds flavor and savory to our dishes. Because of its good taste, it became fundamental in the invention of trading. Since then, the medical industry has studied the benefits of salt in treating various health illnesses, which developed today’s health improvement process called Salt Therapy.
Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, is a modern way to heal the body from the inside out. This treatment improves respiratory, skin conditions, and stress issues by breathing naturally ionized salt air.
History of Salt Therapy
The origin of halotherapy dates back to the medieval era where people in Eastern Europe practiced visiting salt caves for therapeutic reasons. This practice started in the 1800s during the extraction of minerals in salt caves. Polish salt miners exhibited improved respiratory health when none acquired common conditions for miners at work, such as colds or coughs.
The researchers used this information to study further the benefits of salt caves in health. Since the discovery that the salty air helps keep lungs free from infection and allergies, salt mines or caves became popular tourist destinations for people worldwide.
Dry Salt Therapy
The dry method is administered in a simulated “salt cave” that is free of humidity. Each session typically lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes with a temperature of 20°C (68°F) or lower. The dry air method therapy is much more effective than normal moist air.
Medical spas use a unique device called a halogenerator that grinds salt into tiny particles and discharges them into the room’s air. Once inhaled, these salt elements are said to absorb irritants such as allergens and toxins from your respiratory system.
Moreover, it was believed that salt therapy could break up mucus and reduce inflammation, resulting in clear airways and can absorb bacteria and other impurities responsible for many skin conditions.
How Salt Therapy Benefits Your Health?
The benefits are very inclusive. Salt that comes in empty processed forms is healthier, such as Himalayan and Dead Sea salt, containing 84 elements and trace elements found in the human body. Salt levels can significantly affect the body’s cell movement, energy, and blood sugar levels. In addition, salt is very well known for being a natural disinfectant, antimicrobial, and antibacterial.
Salt Therapy Can Help Respiratory Health
Scientific studies confirm that people with asthma and other related ailments can breathe at ease after the halotherapy method. Salt therapy can benefit your respiratory health by reducing inflammation, widening air passages, and providing relief for those who have asthma, allergies, colds, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
A 2007 study showed that adults who undergo salt therapy with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experienced fewer symptoms and improved quality of life.
Another study in 2017 revealed that children with mild asthma significantly decrease bronchial hyperreactivity after attending two halotherapy sessions per week for two months. This pediatric study proved that salt therapy is safe for people of any age.
Salt therapy helped many patients affected by the pandemic. During medication and recovery, halotherapy alleviates breathing problems caused by COVID-19, improving the breathing and the amount of oxygen in the blood.
Salt Therapy Improves Skin Health.
Salt therapy provides wonderful benefits to your skin because pure mineral salts have natural moisturizing properties which support the skin’s water equilibrium. Minerals are necessary for cell function and cleansing, so exposure to salt air improves good skin bacteria by stimulating cell renewal and exfoliation. It also serves as a barrier by attracting moisture to the skin. Dry salt can help ease eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, rashes, and rosacea.
According to a 2003 conducted study, salt therapy can significantly help with atopic dermatitis, especially for those people who suffer fluid in the tissue. This study also found a benefit to the outer cosmetic layer of skin.
Additionally, natural sea salt in its purest form has hydrating and antibacterial properties, which can support your skin’s moisture and water stability. Salts also comprise magnesium, which is very beneficial to our skin, refining skin barrier and inflammation.
Salt Therapy Reduces Stress and Anxiety.
The negatively charged ions in salt greatly affect our health and mood. The calming and detoxifying properties of halotherapy can upkeep the immune, nervous and lymphatic systems. Additional benefits of its treatment may reduce stress and headaches, increase energy, and better sleep patterns.
In addition, salt therapy excludes unwanted blood cells, aggregates brain function, and heart efficiency- keeping the blood flowing and filtered. These negative ion surroundings delivered by the salt particles can invigorate and refresh the mind and mood.
The negative ions provided by the salt help your body to produce serotonin- the chemical that is responsible for happiness. Its ability to produce serotonin suggests halotherapy as an alternative treatment for depression and anxiety.
Is Salt Therapy considered safe?
Salt therapy is a 100% natural, non-toxic, and safe treatment. It is commonly combined with other medical treatments and prescriptions to boost the benefit, but it can also be a stand-alone therapy for various conditions.
According to a 2008 study, this treatment is safe to use for infants with bronchitis limiting 3 percent saline solution. The researchers who initiated this study concluded that salt therapy is safe for all ages.
The bottom line
Salt therapy is a great way to make the healing process of various conditions natural and effective. It significantly improves health and prevents respiratory-related problems, and it safely works at any age.
To begin healing from the inside out, book a session in Elite Medspa + Wellness Center’s Salt Sanctuary. Breathe-in naturally ionized salt air and feel the difference after 45 minutes.
