Salt absorbs impurities from your body and helps break up mucus so you can cough out toxins. Salt is antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal.
"Salt has incredible qualities," says Ulle Pukk, a cofounder of the Salt Therapy Association. "It's antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal." Pukk is at the forefront of a movement that's bringing halotherapy, also known as dry-salt therapy, to America. Already popular in Europe, the treatment utilizes a machine called a halogenerator, which grinds warm salt into breathable particles and dispenses dry-salt aerosol into the air of enclosed rooms, or salt chambers. "Dry salt goes deep into the recesses of your lungs," she explains.
"It absorbs impurities from your body and helps break up mucus so you can cough out toxins. When you have clean lungs, you get more oxygen, which gives you more energy, impacts every organ in your body, and improves overall well-being." There are now more than 150 salt rooms in the U.S. "It's holistic, there are no side effects, and it can address so many different issues," says Ellen Patrick of Breathe Easy spas, which feature salt rooms and salt beds.
Even mainstream doctors see potential benefits. "A lot of patients say it increases exercise tolerance," says pulmonologist Denise Harrison, an assistant professor of environmental medicine at NY U Langone Medical Center. She adds, however, that more research is needed to substantiate halotherapy's claims. At Breathe Easy's location on Manhattan's Park Avenue, the salt chamber is more luxe waiting room than grotto, with plush lounge chairs for group salting.
Each session lasts 45 minutes ($40), and no disrobing is required. "The salt emits negative ions that promote the relaxation response, unlike he positive ions we're exposed to through our cell phones and computers, which agitate the nervous system," says Patrick. The dome-covered salt beds offer a faster, more intense option and expose a lot more skin to salt's exfoliant and antibacterial qualities. After 20 minutes ($40), my skin was indeed lightly salted-and soft. "Benefits have been seen for eczema and acne, and it gives an instant glow," says New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel