Salt Therapy - What is it?

Written By Mairead McNulty

You find yourself asking Salt therapy - what is it exactly? And, more importantly, how can it help me? Well salt therapy, otherwise known as halotherapy, is a holistic treatment that involves inhaling micro-sized salt particles in a controlled environment, such as a salt room or cave.

This practice traces its roots back to Eastern Europe, where individuals visited natural salt caves for their health benefits.

Today, modern salt rooms replicate these environments to offer therapeutic sessions aimed at improving respiratory and skin health. 

Salt Therapy - who does it benefit?

Halotherapy is primarily utilised to address various respiratory and dermatological conditions:

Respiratory Conditions: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of salt are believed to alleviate symptoms of:

  • Asthma

  • Bronchitis

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • Long Covid

  • Sinusitis

  • Colds

  • Chest Infections

  • Croup

  • RSV

  • Cystic Fibrosis

Click here for more conditions that Salt Therapy helps

Inhalation of salt particles may reduce airway inflammation, thin mucus, and enhance overall lung function.





Skin Conditions: Salt therapy is also employed to manage skin issues such as

  • Eczema

  • Psoriasis

  • Acne

The salt's natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce skin inflammation, promote healing, and improve skin barrier function. 



Age Range and Safety

Halotherapy is considered safe for individuals across various age groups, including children.

Studies have indicated that children with asthma who participated in regular salt therapy sessions experienced improvements in their condition as cited in the following halotherapy study.

While generally well-tolerated, it's essential for individuals, especially those with pre-existing health conditions to consult with a healthcare professional before starting salt therapy.

This ensures the treatment aligns with their specific health needs and circumstances.

What do I have to do in the treatment?

That’s the easy part! You simply relax on a chair - bring a book, listen to music, meditate or sleep (trust us, its very easy to nod off during a salt therapy session).

We even provide blankets for extra warmth.

At Serene Salt Therapy, we have a dedicated children’s room, filled with engaging toys for boys and girls. Our children clients fondly refer to our salt room as the sand pit (it’s actually salt). They have no idea they are receiving healing therapy as they play.

And, of course, there are chairs in the room for adults.

Check out our gallery to see more.

You don’t need special clothing or anything additional - you can go in with bare feet or we will give you covers for your shoes.

Book with us today using the link at the bottom of this page!

Recent Research and Developments

Scientific investigations into the efficacy of salt therapy have yielded promising results: 

* Halotherapy for skin condition study


Salt therapy offers a natural, non-invasive approach to managing certain respiratory and skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it a compelling complementary treatment option.

Mairead McNulty