You’ve probably heard before about doctors sending patients to recover near the sea, where they could soak up sunshine and breathe in the salty air. Why is that, and does it really work?
Salt therapy – also called halotherapy or speleotherapy – involves breathing in fine salt particles. Although the sea air does contain salt, dry salt (found in salt caves and salt inhalers) is considered a more potent form of halotherapy.
I first heard about halotherapy after my mom backpacked through Poland, bringing back with her one-of-a-kind watercolor paintings and the fascinating story of a healing salt mine in Wieliczka.
The Weiliczka mine was made famous in the 1800’s by Dr. Felix Bochkowsky. He noticed that – unlike coal miners who suffered adverse effects from their work – salt miners had better-than-average respiratory function and more youthful looking skin. (STA)
Dr. Bochkowsky believed their robust health came from breathing in the dry salty air, so he converted part of the mine into a health resort. His project was put on hold due to world events, but it was revived later on after a doctor found that his patients health improved while hiding in salt caves during WW2.
In this post we’ll look at some of the research that supports salt therapy, and I’ll share an easy way to get its benefits at home.
How does halotherapy (salt therapy) work?
According to Dr. Alex Eingorn, salt therapy works in two ways. First, Himalayan salt emits negative ions, and “injured and diseased cells are electron-deficient, so submitting the body to an electron-rich environment benefits and heals cells by absorption.” (Lewis) If negative ions sounds like a “woo” term to you, check out this article on WebMD about their benefits.
Second, he says that “salt in its microcrystalline form has antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects on the epithelial cells (one of the body’s most important for protection and secretion). The salt helps your cells consolidate inflammation and mucus, so your body can get rid of it.”
5 Himalayan Salt Inhaler Benefits
1. Immune Support & Decreased Inflammation – In addition to being anti-inflammatory, salt therapy helps to calm immune system oversensitivity (IgE responses), says The Lung Institute.
2. Helps The Body Clear Mucus/ Sinus Support – According to Dr. Norman Edelman, Senior Scientific Advisor to the American Lung Association, “When fine salt particles are inhaled, they will fall on the airway linings and draw water into the airway, thinning the mucous and making it easier to raise [clear], thus making people feel better,” he said. (ALA)
3. Stress Relief & Mood Support – As Dr. Eingorn mentioned above, Himalayan salt emits negative ions, which according to WebMD “are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to . . . relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.”
4. Detoxification – In my vapor rub recipe I talk about the purpose of congestion, which is to trap pathogens and put them out of the body. By thinning mucous so that the body can eliminate it, salt therapy assists the body in removing irritants and pathogens more efficiently.
5. Deeper Sleep – Salt therapy helps with sleep in two ways. First, it calms our stress response. Stress produces cortisol, which inhibits the flow of cortisol (aka the sleep hormone). By resetting the stress response, the body is able to produce melatonin at the right time. (Blue light also inhibits melatonin production, which is why I wear these blue blocking glasses at night)
Another way salt inhalers can support a restful night is to ease respiratory issues that sometimes prevent sleep.
Can I use essential oils with my salt inhaler?
Halotherapy works best when the salt is very dry, so adding essential oils is not recommended. Essential oils may also gradually break down the salt, making the inhaler less effective over time.
What other ways can salt be used therapeutically?
Two of the most popular ways are warm salt socks for earaches (which makes a lot of sense if you consider the anti-inflammatory properties of salt) and the neti pot for clearing the sinuses.
The neti pot is a bit challenging for my kids, so they use a Nasopure “Nicer Neti” bottle when they are congested.
Where To Find A Himalayan Salt Inhaler
I use this one and like it a lot. Because you’re placing the tip against your mouth, it’s best not to share an inhaler.
Video + Instructions: How To Use A Himalayan Salt Inhaler
First, add the salt to the inhaler per the instructions that came with the one you purchased.
To use, hold the inhaler to your mouth and inhale deeply, then exhale through your nose. If desired take another breath through the inhaler, or you can alternate regular breaths with inhaler breaths. Most people use their inhaler for 10-20 minutes per day. Some people break that time up into five minute increments, while others do it all at once while watching a show or reading.
How long before you have to buy new salt? This looks incredible for my bio son who has asthma. Also for our adopted children who all suffer from PTSD so their cortisol levels I am sure are off the charts some days. I can’t wait to try this but need to know how long the salt lasts before replacing so I know what to order. Thank you so much Heather for your time.
Technically the salt will stay good until it’s gone, but most people refresh it after about 1-2 years.
Heather,
I use pink salt daily, but I have questions about it. Websites detailing the chemical makeup of the Himalayan Salt say it contains lead and mercury. The lead content seems high too at 0.10ppm. https://themeadow.com/pages/minerals-in-himalayan-pink-salt-spectral-analysis
Is this still healthy and safe to be consuming? I know many people concerned about this and would love some insight! Thanks.
That’s a great question, Caryn – one I have personally wondered as well. Here’s my perspective: Although lead is absolutely something I strive to avoid, it’s only possible to a certain degree because it’s a naturally occurring element that is found in soil, rivers, lakes, seawater and air. During the 20th century, our lead exposure increased due to the use of leaded gasolines and other industrial uses. However, many of those practices have been done away with and now our lead exposure is about 1/3 of what it was in 1970. (source)
According to a spectral analysis done by SPEX Certiprep labs, regular table salt has a higher concentration of lead than all the gourmet salts they tested, including Himalayan salt. (source) Mercury was either not detected or measured in “negligible amounts” for the samples. The amount found reported in the spectral analysis you linked to (which unfortunately does not cite a lab reference and therefore cannot be verified) is about the same as what is found in molasses and three times less than many herbs and spices according to the Handbook of Mineral Elements In Food. Tea comes in significantly higher at 0.764, but many other foods come in lower. (Yay!)
In other words, I think that analysis (if accurate) needs to be taken in a larger context. For example, one thing to consider is how much salt we consume relative to other sources . . . typically a lot less since no one sits down to eat a cup of salt. (Ewww)
I have MTHFR and have been using unrefined sea salt (Himalayan plus Celtic and others) exclusively for years, and when I had my lead/mercury (both organic and inorganic) levels tested a couple of years ago, my levels were extremely low. All that to say I am not personally concerned, but I do recommend sourcing from a reputable brand. Of course this is my opinion, not professional advice.
Thanks so much Heather!
It seems like maybe we could make one of these by creating a container to hold the salt, and punching holes in it for air flow. I’m envisioning a mason jar to hold the salt, and then one of the tops fitted with a straw, and a few extra holes punched around the straw. Does that make sense? Do you know of any reason this wouldn’t work? Thanks!!
I think you probably could make your own, but you’d want holes at the bottom so you could draw the air up as you breathe in.
I used a sippy cup and drilled holes in the bottom Put coarse pink salt in and sucked air through where the baby usually sips. Works great.
I’m so excited to learn about this at home device!! Thank you! I have used salt therapy booths with great results…but I’m so excited to be able to get the therapy at home all the time! As someone who has suffered with asthma, I’ve found salt therapy to be extremely beneficial in relaxing my airways and even fighting colds!
So, the picture shows a device labeled with “Plant Therapy” and “essential oils”. Where does the salt come in? How do you put salt in the container, and what kind (fine, chunky, chunks)? I don’t see a link to the actual product, so I’m confused as to how and where one would buy one, as I’ve never seen one in a store.
Hi Rose, Plant Therapy Essential Oils is the name of the company that makes this inhaler. They mostly sell essential oils, but they also sell carrier oils, beeswax, and a few other products including these inhalers, which come with Himalayan salt. You can find them HERE.
Hi, Heather. I grew up near Wieliczka and I experienced first hand the power of salt therapy. Thank you for mentioning it.
How much salt do you put in the base of the inhaler?
Instructions are on the box.
Was wondering about cleaning. Do you just wipe clean and reuse it, each time?
You can’t open the inhaler. My husband uses it very often and cleans up the nozzle with alcohol on a q-tip.
I never heard about this but I am using Himalayan Salt and it has great health benefits with great taste. With Himalayan Salt, I also recommend Himalayan Salt products. I have been using salt lamps and they are super amazing. I got them from Saltean and I can see that how their warm glow has improved my irregular sleeping patterns. I am also looking forward to try this inhaler!
Best Regards!
You said that “Halotherapy works best when the salt is very dry…”
I haven’t read that anywhere else and I’ve been using Celtic Sea Salt because that’s what I have.
Do you think Celtic Salt will still be effective?
I use your site every week. Thank you for being so amazing!
I think Celtic Salt would probably do some good, but dry salt is preferred because moisture holds particles together instead of allowing them to drift into the air when the inhaler is used. Hope that helps!
Do you know if this is safe to use during pregnancy?