Wet salt therapy is something we all use in our everyday healing maybe without even realizing it, and salt is also well integrated into mainstream medicine. Doctors use saline intravenously to treat dehydration in post-operative recovery and to irrigate the body during surgery. Salt therapy is 100% all natural, it is not harmful and has been practiced for centuries – in the preservation of food as an example. Salt therapy is also safe to treat babies, children, adults, the elderly, and even expecting mothers.
Salt therapy comes in many forms and can be done anywhere. The two most common types of salt therapy are wet salt and dry salt therapy. Salt caves and salt therapy rooms are forms of dry salt therapy outside of the home, and both types are super beneficial to the whole body.
Dry Salt Therapy or Halotherapy, combines 100% pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride (pure white salt) and the Halogenerator, to optimize the proven most effective therapeutic benefits and reach the entire respiratory tract providing the greatest level of healing. Halotherapy is a full experience and works along-side integrative and complimentary medicine disciplines also used to maximize the healing benefits of meditation and mindfulness.
In the Halogenerator, salt is crushed and grinded into micro-particles in a precise dry salt aerosol, which is heated and emitted into the air of an enclosed space (or cave) and inhaled naturally. By heating the salt, it evaporates and removes all moisture and maximizes the salt’s ability to kill bacteria and provide anti-inflammatory properties.
The salt air is made up of 84 trace elements and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, bromine, copper, selenium, and iron. These particles help to clear all pollens, viruses, pollutants and toxins of the lungs and nasal passageways, which in essence works to treat and prevent illness. The salt widens the airways, loosens the mucus, reducing inflammation and creating more room in the airway to breathe.
Dry Salt Therapy is a drug free natural and holistic treatment for adults and children. By breathing in the salt, you naturally cleanse lungs, detoxify and strengthen respiratory function, boost the immune system, aid in healing skin conditions, promote better breathing, sounder sleep, improve physical fitness, endurance and overall wellness.
Salt therapy is also proven to be effective in clinical trials relieving symptoms of a variety of respiratory and skin ailments. (Link to article in PDF)
If you are wondering why or how salt can be so beneficial for your body, just imagine a trip to the beach and how good you feel afterwards. It can also help to heal a cut or even calm irritated skin and helps to increase healing time. When salt is ingested through the skin or the nasal cavity it acts as an anti-inflammatory which can help many parts of the respiratory system and your skin.
Wet salt therapy is more common because many of us use it and do not even realize it. Common types of wet salt therapy include saline solutions, neti-pots, gargling solutions, salt baths, and salt scrubs. Wet salt therapy has many healing benefits for your body, not only with your nasal cavity but it is also great for your skin.
We use saline solution as an example, in nasal washes for symptoms of the sinuses, the common cold to help loosen mucus. Some examples of common saline solutions or wet salt therapies are:
- Empson salt baths, for muscle aches and pains
- Gargling saltwater for a sore throat
- The Neti- Pot to clear nasal passages and sinuses
- Nebulizers – an aerosol mister for nasal congestion
You can you try wet salt therapy at home, and it is more economical and easier to do at home out of the two therapies.
Salt Scrubs
Making your own salt scrub at home is very easy.
Simply mix sea salt, essential oils of your choice, and oil either coconut, almond or grapeseed. Use it in the shower and your skin will be exfoliated, hydrated, rejuvenated and silky smooth!
Salt Baths
Salt baths are great for tired and sore muscles, different skin inflammations, and respiratory issues you may be having. To create a salt bath, mix in warm water six parts coarse sea salt; three parts Epsom salts and one-part baking soda.
Gargling Solution
To create a gargling solution for your wet salt therapy, mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Be sure to gargle for 10-15 seconds before spitting it out.
Nasal Wash
Saline solution as a nasal wash for symptoms of the sinuses or the common cold to help loosen mucus. A neti pot is one of the best ways to clear the sinuses. A neti pot is a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. You might use a neti pot to treat symptoms of nasal allergies, sinus problems or colds and are often available in pharmacies, health food stores and online.
It is important to use bottled water that has been distilled or sterilized. To use the neti pot, tilt your head sideways over the sink and place the spout of the neti pot in the upper nostril. Breathing through your open mouth, gently pour the saltwater solution into your upper nostril so that the liquid drains through the lower nostril. Repeat on the other side.
Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with similarly distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered water and leave open to air-dry.
Try these therapies at home to feel an overall sense of well-being, relaxation and good health.
Lenore Cobb
Halotherapist
www.montauksaltcave.com
