Have You Heard of Salt Cave Therapy?

Have you heard of salt cave therapy? Their use dates back to medieval times, when they were used to treat various ailments. Modern research has verified the benefits of this practice and now salt therapy is becoming widely available around the US. 

What is a salt cave?

Salt cave therapy, also known as halotherapy, is recognized as an all-natural, therapeutic practice in many countries. Therapeutic salt chambers are designed to simulate the environment of natural Himalayan salt caves. The benefits come from breathing and absorbing salt particles as you sit in the dark, quiet chamber. The cozy cave gets its salty air through the use of a halogenerator that continuously grinds dry salt and pumps microparticles into the air. This practice is best known for its benefits to both the respiratory system and the skin. Other pluses being researched include boosted hair growth and improved mood disorders.

So what are the benefits of salt cave therapy? Let's find out!

Glowing Skin and Hair

If you’re looking to improve your skin or heal skin problems, dry salt therapy could be a helpful tool for you. This natural remedy works by absorption of the salt into the dermis. The salt your skin takes in helps to maintain a proper pH balance both on the surface and deeper within your skin, while also boosting electrophysiological activity via increased ion counts—these are two critical processes for inducing healthy, glowing skin. The resulting boost to the skin’s microcirculation in turn boosts healing. The therapy is reported to help with the following skin issues, although robust studies have not yet been completed:

• Eczema
• Dry/flaky skin
• Acne
• Psoriasis
• Various rashes

In addition to making your skin healthier overall, salt therapy can also make your skin look and feel younger. By improving your body’s natural skin maintenance activities, regular salt therapy can work as an anti-aging treatment to give you overall younger-looking skin.

Respiratory Health

Skin isn’t the only organ to benefit from this healing practice: while your skin absorbs the salt particles, your lungs inhale them. Inhaled salt can help clean out your entire respiratory system which comes with major healing benefits. As the salt particles are inhaled and travel to your lungs and out again, bacteria and pollutants are drawn to the particles, essentially sticking to them and leaving your body. A study from 2003 investigated the use of salt therapy to heal maxillary sinusitis, or inflammation of the maxillary sinuses: it proved to be an effective alternative to the invasive puncture remedies typically used to treat this problem. (source) 

Proponents believe it is helpful for many other respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, allergies and smoking-related symptoms (cough, shortness of breath and wheezing).

Here is a quick view of some more positive study results for halotherapy:

• In a 2007 study, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had fewer symptoms and improved quality of life after halotherapy. (source)
• Halotherapy triggered anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic responses in people with bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis, according to a 2014 study. (source) 
• A 2017 study showed benefits of salt therapy for children with mild asthma. (source)

Mental Health + Wellness

Some researchers are even finding benefits for depression and anxiety. The salt is believed to absorb negative ions which can boost serotonin production. 

Physical improvements aren’t the only product of salt therapy. Similarly to sauna bathing, it also brings psycho-therapeutic, meditation-style benefits to strengthen the mind as well as the body. It’s a pleasant experience that feels good and is relaxing! 

Dry salt therapy holds great potential for anyone looking for options to help manage specific health conditions or simply anyone looking to achieve more wellness! So while the research is continuing, you might want to try for yourself. It’s possible to add salt generators to existing saunas or other small spaces to create your own salt cave at home, and a quick Google search revealed that there are many clinical and spa halotherapy options near me. If caves aren’t your thing or aren’t available near you, you can also get many of the benefits of halotherapy from the use of Himalayan salt lamps in your home. 

If you decide to give salt therapy a try with one of these methods, email us at info@bevividyou.com or leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!