How Salt Therapy can Detox the Body and Clear the Mind

Have you seen them? It’s the newest craze in spa treatments and holistic therapies in the United States, though has been popular in Europe and Scandanavia for decades. It’s called Halotherapy.

So what is salt therapy? If you have been using a neti-pot or a saline nose spray, you are probably already somewhat aware of the positive benefits of salt for cleansing the nasal passages. A daily nasal spray with saline can prevent nasal symptoms of common cold in otherwise healthy adults.

Halotherapy, or breathing in of salt vapor, takes the healing properties of salt into the respiratory system. Dry salt therapy is like a natural detoxification for your airways and skin. Coming from “halo”, the Greek word for salt, Halotherapy is the use of vapor utilizes micro particles of salt to promote optimal health and wellness.

While salt therapy is only relatively new to the United States, it has actually been used in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia for decades. It all began centuries ago when monks used salt caverns to treat respiratory ailments. More halotherapy research began in Poland the 1840’s by Dr. Felix Bochkowsky, who had noticed that metal and coal miners battled severe respiratory ailments, while salt miners tended to be healthier than most people. A century later, salt mines were used as bomb shelters in Europe during World War II. People with asthma reported reduced symptoms upon leaving after long periods of time waiting out the bombings in those mines. Not long after, salt therapy or asthma and other respiratory conditions became more common as patients spent time in manmade salt therapy rooms (also known as Halotherapy chambers).

How does salt therapy work to help the body? Stay with me here for a moment and I will explain. You may recall from back in science class that ions are atoms or molecules that take on an electrical charge. There are ions all around us, both positive and negative ones. While the term “positive” may sound, well, positive, it is important to note that in this case it is not so. Positive ions are known to have negative effects on the body.

Today, the world we live in contains way too many positive ions in the air that we breathe. Pollution, electronic devices, chemicals, and more, all create an abundance of positive ions.

Himalayan salt naturally creates negative ions, and most of us are in need of them to counterbalance the positive ions. So halotherapy provides us with high concentrations of negative ions to neutralize the atmosphere and the body. When we inhale these negative ions, it can stabilize our mood, improve emotional health, decrease stress and heal the body. Research has even shown that negative air ions have an anti-bacterial effect on airborne bacteria.

When you inhaled salt it helps to reduce inflammation, widen the airways, accelerate mucus release, eliminate toxins and strengthen the immune system. Studies show that people with asthma and chronic upper respiratory conditions can achieve significant benefits from salt therapy. It has also been recommended for patients suffering from pulmonary heart disease and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as chronic bronchitis). People with cystic fibrosis can benefit from salt therapy as well. It can also be helpful for treating airborne allergies, sinusitis, and even bacteria from staph infection.

When the dry salt particles land on the skin it can help to balance pH and repare the skin, stimulating cell growth. Salt therapy also helps to alleviate symptoms of skin conditions, such as acne, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and Psoriasis. Many people also believe that it aids in the prevention of aging skin.

Proponents of salt therapy believe in the emotional benefits too, that it helps relax the body, reduce tension headaches, alleviate stress, increase energy, encourage alertness, improve mood, and promote a better night’s rest.

Are you ready to give halotherapy a try? What you should not do is start loading up on salt in your diet. Here are some other ways you could give it a go, from the simple to luxurious:

– You could start by using a simple salt inhaler, such as this one by Posergy.

– Plug in a Himalayan salt lamp on your night stand and breathe in those negative ions while you sleep. There is a great selection of lamps at Himalayan Salt Shop.com.

– Take a Himalayan salt bath! You can make your own using essential oils and salts from the market or purchase these organic salt crystals.

– Book an appointment for a Himalayan salt therapy bath or detox treatment at a local spa.

– You could also spend time in a salt therapy room or relax on a Himalayan salt bed at a halotherapy spa or treatment center near you! These manmade rooms are typically surrounded with salt crystals and have salt vapors in the air.

Have YOU tried Halotherapy or been to a salt therapy room? If so, what was your experience?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor do I play one on this blog. The information shared here is meant to be entertaining and informative. You should always talk to a medical professional before making any changes to your routine, especially if you have a recurrent health issue. Affiliate links included.

How Salt Therapy can Detox the Body and Clear the Mind

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