Salt therapy is a growing wellness trend, but take it with a pinch of salt
Now sample this: It's a balmy afternoon. You are sitting in a plush chair. Away from the chaos. Away from the mundane hustle. The environment is soothing, bathed in a soft pink glow. It smells faintly like the beach. The walls? Salty. The floor? Salty. The air? Salty. What is it?advertisementWell, it is a salt cave - a growing wellness trend that works on the concept of what is called salt therapy or halotherapy. It's said to enhance breathwork, relieve congestion, and reduce stress.These spaces often offer services rooted in Ayurveda or naturopathy and aim at rejuvenation. And like you may have already understood, such therapy centres are already available in places like Gurugram, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and more.But the question remains, is salt therapy just another aesthetic vibe check for your Instagram, or is there actual science behind the salt?Hype, healing or bothThe concept of salt therapy traces its roots to Europe. It was observed that salt miners had better respiratory health and reported fewer breathing issues compared to other mine workers. This led to further exploration of the phenomenon - could salt really aid in overall well-being? Thus, halotherapy was born, and with it, salt caves as lifestyle experiences for the masses.
Salt caves have salt-laden walls and floors as well (Photo credits: Getty Image)
The science of salt suggests that the grains have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation, alleviate congestion, and clear mucus, leading to better airway clearance. But not everyone is sold just yet. Experts tend to take the concept with a pinch of salt.advertisement'A lot has been said about salt therapy or halotherapy in respiratory diseases, particularly in COPD, asthma and breathing difficulties,' Dr. A. Jayachandra, clinical director and senior interventional pulmonologist at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, tells India Today.Having said that, he also mentions, the effect isn't substantial.'This is not mainstream therapy and does not really have any significant benefits. At best, it can only be a supportive therapy. It may help to a certain extent in loosening mucus and aiding its expectoration.'He further adds, 'This might be useful for people with milder to moderate forms of disease, those who are otherwise comfortable or whose main problem is cough and difficulty expectorating, they can try it, and it may offer some benefit. But it should always be an adjunct to mainstream therapy.'Explaining the frequency of undergoing this therapy for effectiveness, Dr. Jayachandra said, 'Maybe twice or thrice a day could help some people. We use hypotonic saline nebulisation to achieve the same purpose, which is more mainstream. Probably the same logic applies to salt therapy or halotherapy, but it becomes an expensive proposition. I wouldn't recommend it very often for these patients.'Breathe in salt, breathe out stressadvertisementCare for a little salt for the soul? Wellness centres that offer salt therapy advocate its effect on mental health too. And this part seems to hold more ground, even with experts.'Salt therapy is believed to boost mood, making it a helpful addition for those with mood disorders. Salt caves may help improve serotonin levels, which can lift your mood and enhance overall well-being. The calming and stress-relieving nature of salt therapy may also play a role in supporting mental health,' explained Dr. Sumalatha Vasudeva, psychologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru.According to the expert, people with anxiety or depression often try these salt rooms. 'As a psychologist, I remain open to complementary approaches that may support well-being, given that it does not replace actual treatment. While salt therapy is not a substitute for psychological or medical interventions, people do claim to be more at ease and have an improved mood after the session."TakeawaySalt therapy definitely brings the vibe and the aesthetic, but science hasn't fully backed it just yet. Experts only acknowledge its benefits to a certain extent. Enough clinical trials and placebo effect checks remain grainy.
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