AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

56 AsiaSpa July/August 2017

SpaTr e nds

Why more people are turning to the everyday ingredient for healing

Pass the Salt

Writer Catherine Tse

Arrive oceanside and the first

thing everybody does? Inhale. Intuitively, we

all breathe in deeply, filling our lungs with

that salty, briny air. It not only smells great

but it's good for you. Whether you’re aware of

this, subconsciously your body is compelling

you to expand your lungs and absorb that salt.

For anyone who’s ever felt better after

a series of deep breaths of ocean air,

you’ve just experienced a small dose of

halotherapy. Derived from the Greek root,

halo- meaning salt, halotherapy is as old as

salt itself. There are references to medieval

monks who treated the ill by taking them

to salt caves; Eastern European salt miners

in the 1800s who exhibited extraordinarily

robust health during times difficult for most,

and even Hippocrates who prescribed the

inhalation of saltwater as convalescence

treatment.

While variations of salt therapy have

been practised for millennia, Poland is

generally recognised as the birthplace of

modern halotherapy, with its rich history of

salt caves and thermal mineral spas that date

back to the early 1800s. Tarita Salt Spa and

Wellness in the centre of Krakow is popular

among both locals and tourists. Offering a

combination of living history and alternative

medicine, Tarita is increasingly becoming a

holiday destination.

Salt is naturally anti-inflammatory,

antimicrobial and antibacterial, helping to

boost the immune system and relieve the

symptoms of many respiratory ailments

including asthma, fibromyalgia, allergies,

bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease (COPD) and even cystic fibrosis.

Externally, it can also help with skin

conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis

and even post-surgical healing.

As salt is breathed in, it passes through

the sinuses and respiratory system, absorbing

excess moisture, loosening mucus and

killing bacteria. At Tarita, aerosolised

dry salt that’s prepared in a special

‘halogenerator’ saturates

the air with micronised

salt particles. The effect

is hardly discernible as

guests relax in lounge

chairs listening to music,

reading and even nap

in this grand, dramatic

space. Halotherapy is

considered low-risk and

safe enough for pregnant

women and babies. Tarita

has a special play area for children, but

instead of sand they play in salt.

The health benefits of halotherapy

now have even athletes taking notice.

Because of salt’s ability to clean the airways,

lung capacity and breathing efficiency

are increased. This is gold for anyone

trying to improve physical

performance – naturally.

Better oxygen intake can

increase energy levels,

decrease cramps and

recovery time that can give

athletes a winning edge.

Regardless of your

state of health, halotherapy

is largely considered an

effective treatment to

complement an overall

wellness programme. At the Serenity The

Art of Wellbeing at Pine Cliffs Resort in the

Algarve, Portugal, they offer a Himalayan salt

“Halotherapy will

cleanse and detox

the lungs as well as

invigorate

the whole body”

~Angee Smithee