Salty air is no new thing for me. Being born and raised in California, I have always loved the distinct scent of the beach from the briny ocean and seaweed. Yet I never stopped to think about what kinds of benefits salt infused air could have for the human body.
I was recently invited by friends to try halotherapy or salt therapy at a local health spa Sea Salt Therapy in Campbell, CA. A simple and modern warm aesthetic with a calming atmosphere. They also have a salt booth that is a 3 in one service. It offers sea salt therapy, infrared dry sauna, and color therapy all in one session.
We opted for the salt room, a larger relaxing room to enjoy sea salt therapy with the company of friends or family. There are five comfortable lounge chairs and two smaller childrens chairs for you utilize to relax, and even a basket of toys if you are feeling playful. As you enter the misty room, your nose is greeted with a pleasantly light scent of salt in the air. The walls are lined with the build up of salt from 10+ years of sea salt therapy sessions. And the floor is filled with small sea salt pellets, like small white salty snow balls.
During the 45 minute therapy session, sea salt infused air is circulated throughout the room and all you have to do is relax and breathe. It's really that easy! Sea salt therapy claims to have a variety of health benefits such as:
reduces inflammation and clears up mucus and irritants in the airways
eases respiratory problems such as: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, lung infections, allergies, COPD, asthma, bronchitis, colds
may be used to treat breathing problems caused by COVID
boost the immune system
help repair skin from aging and infections
helps treat depression and anxiety
helps with skin conditions such as: eczema, acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, wrinkles, rash, and fungal infections
Salt has been used for thousands of years in curing and preserving meats as well as for therapy due to its natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. In the 12th century, visiting sea salt caves were a common therapeutic practice after they found that salt miners had no respiratory conditions compared to other miners such as coal. In fact, salt miners were less likely to get sick from colds compared to most common people. Due to the high salt content throughout the room in the air, walls, and floor, it is considered relatively clean and sterile (minus the salt residue all over your skin and clothes ;) ).
Things I noticed during and after the Sea Salt Therapy Session:
During the Therapy:
For the first few minutes as the thick white salt filled mist circulated throughout the room, I noticed my nose a little irritated, runny and I had a slight cough.
After blowing my nose a few times, my nose and throat felt more hydrated, cleared, and soothed.
It felt relaxing to take in slow deep breaths of salty air and even play on the salty sand box floor.
There is a lingering taste of salt in my mouth and throat.
After the Therapy:
-for days after the therapy session, my mouth, nose, and throat felt lightly soothed and hydrated, clear of excess phlegm or mucus. I noticed my nasal passages weren't as dry, which is typical of Autumn in California when the air can be dryer. The taste of salt is less noticable and starting to dissipate.
I would recommend sea salt therapy to anyone who has: chronic breathing problems such as asthma, COPD, allergies, skin conditions, or even just for health maintenance and an immunity boost. Fall is actually the perfect time to do sea salt therapy to help prevent catching colds and flus as well as to hydrate and soothe the respiratory system because as the seasons change, the air is naturally becoming more and more dry.
Talk to your doctor before trying sea salt therapy if you have conditions such as:
hyperthyroidism
high blood pressure
heart problems
respiratory failure
bleeding disorders
infectious diseases
open wounds
fever
malignant diseases
*Disclaimer
This blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is NOT intended as medical advice. If you or any other person has a medical concern, please seek guidance from a medical professional.