Halotherapy, also known as salt therapy, is gaining popularity for its purported respiratory advantages. Medical professionals share their insights on the empirical backing of these claims.

Picturing yourself breathing in dry, saline air as you relax in a warm, spa-like area, encircled by crystal salt panels.

When these tiny salt particles move through your respiratory system, they are believed to eliminate toxins from the lungs, clear out mucus, and enhance breathing.

It is also thought that they help regulate the hydration in your skin, potentially alleviating issues such as eczema and psoriasis.

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I tried salt therapy for the first time a few years back at a Korean spa. As soon as I entered the room, I could distinctly taste the salty air. With each breath, it seemed as though my lungs were being thoroughly cleansed from within.

The session was soothing, but upon finishing, I found my entire body feeling rejuvenated.

Halotherapy, also known as salt therapy, isn’t novel. It first came into light in 1839 thanks to Felix Bochkovsky, a Polish physician. He noticed that individuals working in salt caves experienced less respiratory issues compared to their counterparts in different mining sectors.

Shortly thereafter, Boczkowski inaugurated the initial saline wellness center at the
The Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland
, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and continues to draw visitors both local and international.

Throughout the pandemic, it accommodated ex-Covid-19 patients who were transferred via the public healthcare network for three-week periods, along with individuals who paid privately.

After World War II, a German physician observed that individuals who hid from bombings in salt mines and caves showed better lung health.

Currently, salt therapy is rapidly emerging as a popular health trend, available in various settings such as salt chambers, caves, saunas, day spas, fitness centers, wellness hubs, yoga studios, and healthcare facilities globally.

According to market research firm Precedence Research, the global salt therapy market is projected to be valued at approximately US$8.6 billion in 2025, with expectations for this figure to grow to about US$19.1 billion by 2034.

According to Patricia Campos Nunes, the managing director of Cryospa in Sydney, Australia—which opened in 2017 and also provides salt therapy—man-made environments possess specific features.
cryotherapy
.

She clarifies that salt caves replicate natural caverns, adorned with big salt formations and equipped with halogen generators that emit tiny salt particles into the atmosphere.

Salt rooms are specially designed areas where medical-grade salt is distributed using a halogenerator, establishing a regulated healing atmosphere.

Salt saunas merge heat with salt to promote perspiration and detoxification. The salt walls mainly serve an aesthetic purpose by releasing negative ions, which are thought to offer health advantages; however, they frequently lack the therapeutic distribution typically achieved through the use of halogenerators.

The Cryospa’s salt room features walls constructed from salt blocks and a flooring composed of meticulously ground, medical-grade salt, crafting an enveloping environment, as per Nunes. Additionally, a device known as a halogenerator releases microscopic particles of this high-quality salt into the atmosphere within the space.

In Hong Kong, the Mysa Halotherapy Spa located in Wong ChukHang offers a serene environment within its Himalayan salt chamber adorned with natural salt blocks. This space maintains an artificial climate similar to that found inside a traditional salt cave.

Michael Yu, the Mysa manager, states that breathing in salt-infused air might offer alleviation from
asthma
, allergies and sinusitis.

Several research papers highlight salt’s ability to combat bacteria and reduce inflammation, indicating that breathing in salt aerosols may assist in clearing out mucus from the respiratory passages.

A 2021 report published in the journal Healthcare (Basel) found that, according to a limited study, halotherapy emerged as “a sophisticated, dependable, and economical approach for diagnosing, treating, and preventing asthma.” The researchers suggested further investigation should be conducted.

According to a 2021 study published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, clinical research has shown that salt therapy effectively alleviates symptoms and enhances various functional indicators in conditions such as sinusitis, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, mild to moderate asthma, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The authors similarly advocate for additional research to substantiate the health benefits of halotherapy.

Dr Philip Eng, a local respiratory specialist based in Singapore, mentions that individuals suffering from sinusitis and allergies might be advised to perform a nasal saline rinse. This process helps remove bacteria from their nasal passageways and reduces swelling in both the nose and throat areas.

In the meantime, generations of grandparents have emphasized the benefits of rinsing the mouth with saline solution to alleviate a sore throat, he notes.

The advantages of breathing in tiny salt particles — primarily composed of sodium, manganese, chloride, and sulfates — have not been confirmed according to Eng.

Dr Aaron Lee, a general practitioner at Matilda International Hospital in Hong Kong, notes that despite being marketed as a complementary treatment, “research examining its advantages for respiratory health has yet to provide definitive conclusions.”

Although dry salt particles reportedly help balance the skin’s pH levels and decrease inflammation, Lee states that research regarding the advantages of halotherapy for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, along with symptoms including itchiness and flaking, remains uncertain.

On the positive side, thanks to their calm surroundings, the salt rooms and caves “foster relaxation, improved sleep, and enhanced general well-being,” according to Yu.

At places such as Cryospa, some salt rooms incorporate chromotherapy—using LED lights of various colors to stimulate particular body reactions—to aid customers in relaxing.

Nunes mentions that the gentle, cozy colors create a soothing but invigorating atmosphere.” Alongside salt therapy, this becomes “a multi-sense journey that is healing as well as profoundly tranquil.

Halotherapy is generally safe for most individuals. However, people with serious respiratory conditions such as advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, along with those having active infections or open wounds which might be adversely affected by the salt, should seek advice from their healthcare provider prior to attempting it, according to Nunes.

Lee recommends that individuals with hypertension consult their physician initially and review their conditions.
blood pressure
Before and after a halotherapy session to check if it made any difference.

Lee mentions that some salts include tiny quantities of metals such as nickel; therefore, watch out for contact dermatitis if you’re allergic to metals.

Nunes mentions that her spa’s customers have reported numerous beneficial outcomes from halotherapy sessions.

She mentions that some clients have reported higher energy levels following several sessions in the salt room.

It’s equally satisfying to witness individuals recovering from chronic coughs and children overcoming sleep difficulties related to breathing problems.

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