The History of Halotherapy

In the 12th century, the practice of visiting salt caves for therapeutic reasons, or speleotherapy, was common in Eastern Europe. In the 1800s, salt miners in Poland found a more modern version of what’s now halotherapy. Despite working in mines all day, the Polish miners didn’t have any respiratory conditions and were unusually healthy. They weren’t likely to get the colds or coughs that were common among other people.‌

Research showed that the salty air the miners breathed helped keep their lungs free from infection and allergies. Over time, Eastern European salt mines or caves became popular tourist destinations. People from all over the world visited to inhale the salty air and ease their lung problems.

Types of Halotherapy

‌Salt therapy is usually done in salt rooms, which can be active or passive.

• Active salt room. This room has a machine called a halogenerator, to which salt is added. The equipment breaks down the salt into tiny particles that circulate in the room.
• ‌Passive salt room. This type of room does not have a machine to break down the salt. Instead, the room is filled with different types of salts, such as Himalayan salt. It looks like a salt cave, with controlled temperature and humidity.

The salt concentration in passive salt rooms is lower than in active salt rooms. These rooms are usually used for relaxation and meditation rather than halotherapy.