Salt therapy

 Complete Guide to Salt Therapy (Halotherapy)

Halotherapy, or commonly known as salt therapy, is derived from the Greek word ‘halo,’ which means ‘salt.’ It is an age-old form of alternative medicine that has managed to remain relevant in modern times. Using the health benefits of salts to treat various diseases, conditions, and symptoms is the basic concept behind salt therapy. However, it has tremendously evolved over the decades due to modern tools and technology.

Even during the early days of civilization, people were used to going to salt caves and spending long hours, or even days, to feel refreshed and improve breathing. Now millions of people can get benefits from the halotherapy without actually going underground. Antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of salt have made salt therapy highly effective in dealing with different diseases.

Salt Cave

Types of Salt Therapy

The two main types of salt therapy are:

Dry Salt Therapy is done in a salt chamber, Himalayan salt cave, salt room, or salt steam room.

Wet Salt Therapy is performed through salt baths, saline solutions, and nebulizers.

Moreover, dry salt therapy is classified into speleotherapy (in natural caves) and halotherapy (in man-made salt caves). Nowadays, halotherapy is prevalent because not everyone can go to an actual salt mine. Instead, devices like the halo generator have allowed people to create a controlled environment fill with the salt particles to take the benefits of salt therapy.

How Does Halotherapy Works?

When the air full of salt particles enters your respiratory tract, it improves breathing by mitigating the inflammation of affected lung tissues. Moreover, some people believe that salt therapy smooths the tissues and liquefy the mucus, which plays a vital role in boosting your immunity. After going through a session of salt therapy, the majority of the people say that their breathing has improved.

A halo generator is an essential part of salt therapy. It grinds the salt into microparticles. Commonly, pink Himalayan salt rocks are used for this purpose because they contain a lot of useful minerals and is the purest salt available. After the salt rocks are properly crushed, the dry salt aerosol is spread in the salt room, and the air gets filled with small particles of pure salt. As a result, the air gets filled with negatively charged ions, which cleans the air and promotes more comfortable breathing. When these particles are inhaled, they provide many benefits to the human skin, lungs, mind, and overall body.

Benefits of Salt Therapy

Salt therapy is effective because dry salt has natural antibacterial properties. When salt particles are inhaled, it causes your mucus to thin out, which makes it easier to expel it from your body, along with germs and pollutants. Moreover, dry salt particles have a positive impact on cilia movements. Cilia help in keeping the airways clear, which makes it easy for us to breathe. 

Moreover, halotherapy is beneficial for your skin, as well. Salt particles can absorb the impurities and regulate the pH level of your skin. It promotes good skin by reducing inflammation and supporting natural skin exfoliation and regeneration.

Asthma patients find salt therapy to be highly effective in reducing the symptoms of their condition. It is also known to protect the body against diseases like throat infections and flu. Improving the immune system, mood, and reducing stress and anxiety are some of the many benefits of salt therapy.  

Salt Room Therapy

One of the distinct features of salt therapy is that it is safe for people of every age group. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of salt room therapy. Even infants under the age of 12 months have been known to visit salt caves because it does not have any harmful impact. Some people recommend taking kids to salt caves because it improves their immunity, mood, and reduces the need for taking strong medicines like antibiotics. Many salt caves around the world have designed specific rooms for children to ensure they are thoroughly entertained during salt therapy.

A Salt Room

Source: https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/salt-room-therapy-trend-i-tried-it

Who should go to a Himalayan Salt Cave?

The short answer to this question is that everyone should go to a salt cave because it is safe for everyone. It offers several benefits which are useful for people of every age and background. Even if you do not have any disease, you can go to a salt cave for relaxation and unwinding. Similarly, people with respiratory conditions, skin disorders, mental issues like anxiety, depression, and any other health issue should visit a salt cave.  

Conclusion

It is important to note that salt therapy is an alternative type of medicine. You should take its benefits, along with traditional medicine. It should not replace your regular medicine routine like going to a doctor for checkups and treatments. Hence, enjoy the benefits of halotherapy as a complementary therapy.