Himalayan Crystal Salt Inhalers
Salt therapies have been used for thousands of years in both traditional and modern medical practices. They have been used for mouth infections, sore throats, upper and lower respiratory conditions such as cold and flu, allergy, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, sinus infection, hay fever and emphysema. But in this day and age of heart transplants, genetic engineering and miracle drugs, it is often hard to believe that something as simple as salt can truly have beneficial effects. However, we can now scientifically explore the mechanisms by which traditional remedies and treatments work. Through science and clinical trials, it appears that not only do salt therapies work, but they do so even better than we expected.
The Importance of Mucus and the Mucous Membranes
In order for any microbe, virus, bacteria or mold to infect the sinuses, throat or lungs, it must first pass through or enter the body through the mucous membrane. It is the first line of defense against infection, followed by the immune system.
The mucous membrane consists primarily of cells with an external surface covered by hair-like structures called cilia. The cilia are formed into bundles and act like brushes to move the mucus, microorganisms, and particles up and eventually out through the nose or mouth.
On top of the mucous membrane there are two layers of mucus. The mucous membrane and mucus are specially designed to prevent any microorganisms or particles from getting into the lungs. The importance of the health of the mucus and the lining of the airways in preventing infection progressing into the lungs cannot be overstated, as seen by how colds and flu can advance into pneumonia.
Effects of Salt on Bacteria, Viruses and more, plus how it supports Mucus
What is amazing about mucus, and we still don’t understand how it does this, is that it is selective - allowing nutrients and other vital molecules to enter, but keeping out pathogens such as viruses and bacteria which are dangerous to our health.
Interestingly, the composition of mucus can differ between people and varies depending on factors such as age and diet, implying that healthy people have healthy mucus. Even the time of year can impact the composition of mucus, which may play a part in why we more often get colds or the flu during winter months. Mucus is also abundant in breast milk, protecting infants against viruses such as rotavirus and HIV.
High salt concentration makes the mucus less penetrable, which offers a possible explanation for why gargling with salt water, or using a neti pot with salt water or a Himalayan Crystal Salt Inhaler often soothes symptoms.
How Original Himalayan Crystal Salt Inhalers Work
Speleotherapy, also known as cave therapy, was developed in the mid-1800s after Polish salt miners were found to have a lower incidence of pulmonary disease. Halotherapy, a more recent development of the concept, is the use of salt air to re-create the cave microclimate for therapeutic use. A more recent and portable alternative to salt caves or rooms is a dry ceramic inhaler, with a salt chamber inside. This adds salt to the air as the patient breathes in - mimicking the atmosphere and process in speleotherapy and halotherapy. Just as the neti pot does for the sinus tract (nose), the Himalayan Crystal Salt Inhaler creates a salt environment in the bronchial tract (lungs) which, according to the Lung Institute, results in anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory properties, thinning and reducing the build-up of excess mucus and helping to reduce congestion and support ease of breathing. The high-quality ceramic inhaler is filled with premium, coarse ground Original Himalayan Crystal Salt which contains 84 trace and ultra-trace minerals.
