It is believed that thousands of years ago, people have already known to use caverns for therapeutic purposes.
In the 1950’s Subterranean Therapy, also known as Speleotherapy became popular in Europe. People reported better respiratory health after staying in the subterranean environment for a longer period of time.
It is the unique microclimate of clean, unpolluted and allergen free air that causes physical comfort and supports healing. Let’s take a closer look at salt mines. When over a Century ago salt miners rarely seemed to come down with a cold or flu, a Polish Physician who treated these men took notice. He linked the worker’s health to the salt environment and began treating his respiratory patients by sending them in the salt mine to breathe this therapeutic microclimate.
His approach showed very good health improvements in his patients. Shortly after he documented his findings, therapy centers and hospitals in other natural salt mines/salt caves around Europe were opened and are still operating today.
One of the most famous salt mines is located in Wieliczka, Poland. Monumental rooms carved of salt are open as a museum to the public and a part of the mine is used as therapy center. Another interesting salt mine is located in Soledar, Ukraine and is visited by people from all over the world to receive Speleotherapy.
Temperature and humidity vary in the different salt mines but the most important and therapeutic factor is constant in all salt mines, which is a certain concentration of dry salt aerosol saturating the air of salt mines. The salt particles are 1-5 microns in size, small enough to enter even the smallest parts of the lungs. There, in the deepest part of the lungs, salt acts as
anti-inflammatory.
In 1980, salt mines and their climates were being scientifically studied. As a result, scientists were able to recreate the therapeutic aspects of a natural salt cave microclimate in specially designed rooms above ground. This new therapy became known as Halotherapy. Off course it is impossible to recreate the complex microclimate of salt mines as a whole. Underground salt caves will always have superior air quality to any man-made climate.
However, Halotherapy Spas come pretty close to its original.
Be Well,
Ines Clark, Owner
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