The Benefits of Salt Therapy
Salt therapy (halotherapy) is a natural, drug-free and non-invasive way to support the body’s natural healing processes. Many people use it as a complementary therapy to ease respiratory discomfort, soothe skin irritation, boost recovery and promote calm — all in a clean, salt-enriched environment.
Explore how salt therapy may help with different conditions and health concerns below.
Respiratory Conditions
Salt therapy may help clear mucus, reduce airway inflammation and make breathing feel easier. Many people living with chronic or temporary respiratory conditions use it as a complementary support to ease congestion and improve lung function.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition affecting millions worldwide, marked by bronchial spasms that cause wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Attacks are often triggered by allergies or environmental factors.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt therapy may help reduce asthma symptoms by supporting clearer airways, easing inflammation and improving overall breathing comfort. The fine salt particles inhaled during a session can help loosen mucus, reduce bacteria and calm airway sensitivity — making it easier to breathe naturally.
Over time, regular sessions may help lessen the frequency or intensity of flare-ups, supporting long-term respiratory health alongside your existing asthma management plan.
Why it helps:
Kills bacteria – natural antibacterial effect helps reduce infection risk
Anti-inflammatory - helps reduce airway irritation and congestion
Mucolytic action – loosens retained mucus for easier clearance
Relaxation - widens airways and supports smoother breathing
Bronchitis & Bronchiectasis
Bronchitis and bronchiectasis both involve inflammation and excess mucus in the airways, which can make breathing difficult and increase the risk of infection. While bronchitis is usually temporary and viral, bronchiectasis causes long-term widening and scarring of the bronchial tubes, leading to persistent mucus build-up and recurring flare-ups.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy supports natural airway cleansing by helping to reduce mucus build-up and irritation in the bronchial tubes.
Regular sessions may help improve breathing comfort, reduce the frequency of flare-ups and support long-term respiratory health.
Why it helps:
Anti-inflammatory – soothes airway irritation and swelling
Mucolytic – loosens thick mucus and helps clear phlegm naturally
Antibacterial – reduces airborne pathogens and infection risk
Immune-supporting – strengthens the body’s natural defences
Promotes easier, calmer breathing and improved lung hygiene
Coughs
Coughing is a natural reflex that helps clear the airways of mucus, irritants and germs. Most coughs are caused by viral infections such as colds or flu and usually resolve within two weeks. In some cases, they may result from bacterial infections, asthma flare-ups, allergies or chronic conditions like COPD.
Types of Cough:
Dry (tickly) cough: Triggered by throat or airway irritation, often due to viral infection or environmental irritants.
Chesty (productive) cough: Caused by excess mucus in the lungs, helping to clear infection and congestion.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Unlike medication that only suppresses symptoms, salt therapy targets the root causes of breathing problems. Salt has natural properties that support the respiratory system. By easing inflammation, clearing mucus and fighting infection, salt therapy improves lung function and breathing quality. This increased oxygen availability supports overall health, helping to balance the body, improve sleep, reduce reliance on medication and build resilience against everyday infections.
Why it helps:
Antibacterial – dries out and destroys harmful germs.
Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling in the airways.
Mucolytic – loosens excess mucus and speeds up toxin removal.
Cleansing – helps clear pollen and other airborne irritants.
Immune boosting – strengthens defenses, restores energy and lowers IgE levels to reduce overactive immune responses.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that includes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It causes ongoing respiratory issues such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and excess mucus, which can severely impact daily life.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Inhaling microscopic salt particles helps to cleanse the respiratory system, loosening mucus and aiding its removal. This can improve airflow and make breathing easier. Salt has natural anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe irritated airways, easing discomfort associated with COPD.
Regular salt therapy sessions can support overall lung health, helping to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Why it helps:
Helps reduce coughing and makes breathing easier
Can lead to fewer and less severe COPD flare-ups
Supports improved lung function and overall breathing capacity
May lower reliance on inhalers, steroids, and antibiotics
Helps decrease the risk of respiratory infections
Supports the immune system and overall wellness
Important Considerations:
For those with advanced COPD, halotherapy is not recommended, as inhaling salt particles may strain or irritate sensitive airways. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, since symptoms vary and research on severe cases is limited. Your safety should always come first.
Cystic Fibrosis
In the UK, approximately one in every 2,500 babies is born with cystic fibrosis and there are over 9,000 people currently living with the condition. Cystic fibrosis causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, making breathing difficult and increasing the risk of frequent infections.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers gentle, natural support by helping to loosen mucus, reduce inflammation and keep airways clearer.
Many clients report feeling more comfortable breathing and experience fewer flare-ups when Salt Therapy is used alongside their regular medical care.
Why it helps:
Mucolytic – helps thin and clear retained mucus
Antibacterial – reduces germs in the airways, supporting infection control
Anti-inflammatory – calms irritated bronchial passages
Supports easier breathing and improved lung hygiene
Encourages overall respiratory comfort and reduced congestion
Long Covid
For some people, the effects of COVID-19 linger long after recovery, leading to ongoing breathlessness, coughing, chest tightness or fatigue.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers gentle, drug-free support by helping to soothe inflamed airways, clear residual mucus and promote easier breathing.
Regular sessions may complement recovery by improving respiratory comfort and helping the body regain balance after illness.
Why is helps:
Loosens and clears mucus buildup from the lungs
Reduces airway inflammation and irritation
Naturally antibacterial and cleansing
Supports immune recovery and overall lung hygiene
Encourages relaxation, aiding stress and fatigue relief
Sinus & Allergy relief
Everyday exposure to dust, pollen, pollution and seasonal changes can take a toll on your sinuses and immune system. For many, that means recurring sinus congestion, headaches, sneezing or itchy eyes — whether from sinusitis, hay fever or other allergies. Salt therapy offers a natural way to breathe easier and feel clearer, without harsh medication.
Cold & Flu
Colds and flu are common viral infections that affect the nose, throat and airways. They often cause symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, sore throat, coughing, headaches and body aches. In most people, these illnesses resolve within one to two weeks, but during that time they can cause significant discomfort and may trigger complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis or worsening of existing respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD.
How Salt Therapy Can Help:
Adults typically experience two to four colds per year, while children may catch seven to ten. Medication can offer short-term relief, it’s common for cold or flu symptoms to return within a few weeks. This is why it’s important to understand the unique therapeutic properties of salt and how salt therapy can support long-term respiratory health. During a salt therapy session you breathe in dry, micronised salt, which travels deep into sinuses and airways where it reduces inflammation and clears congestion — supporting clearer sinuses, easier breathing and greater comfort all year round.
Regular sessions may help reduce sinus flare-ups and keep the airways clearer — especially during winter months.
Why it helps:
Opens the nasal passages and improves airflow
Kills bacteria and reduces infection risk
Clears mucus and congestion, promoting easier breathing
Fights bacteria and viruses naturally with salt’s antimicrobial action
Reduces reliance on over-the-counter medications
Sinusitis
In many cases, sinusitis develops following a cold or flu-like illness. When the lining of the sinuses becomes swollen, it can block the normal drainage of mucus. This trapped mucus may build up inside the sinuses, creating pressure and discomfort while also providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and cause infection. Acute sinusitis develops quickly, usually over just a few days, and tends to be short-lived. While many cases resolve within about a week, it’s not unusual for symptoms to last 2–3 weeks—which is typically longer than a standard cold.
How Salt Therapy Helps
Salt has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, while its mucolytic effects help to loosen retained mucus, making it easier to clear from the sinuses and airways. This not only eases congestion but also reduces the risk of infection. In addition, Salt Therapy can lower IgE levels, helping the immune system become stronger.
Why it helps:
Reduces the need for inhalers, antibiotics or hospital admissions
Clears mucus and sticky phlegm from the sinuses and lungs
Strengthens the immune system and increase resistance to respiratory tract diseases
Prolongs remission times between flare-ups
Improves overall health and quality of life
Allergy & Hay Fever
An estimated 12 million people in the UK—roughly one in five—are affected by allergies, with hay fever being among the most common. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever can cause significant discomfort, with symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes and sinus pressure. Allergies and hay fever are triggered by overreactions of the immune system to harmless particles like pollen or dust. Over time, repeated exposure to allergens can worsen symptoms and, in some cases, contribute to the development of other conditions, such as asthma or sinus infections.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
For those suffering from hay fever or other allergies, Salt Therapy can offer both immediate relief and long-term benefits, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of recurring symptoms. Many clients report fewer sneezing fits, less nasal congestion and improved comfort during allergy season — making Salt Therapy a safe, relaxing, and natural complement to traditional allergy management.
Why it helps:
Cleanses the respiratory system by removing airborne allergens such as pollen and dust
Soothes inflammation of nasal and bronchial passages
Reduces sensitivity by lowering IgE levels and calming immune overreactions
Strengthens the immune system for better long-term resilience
Children’s Health
Gentle and safe for all ages, salt therapy can help ease common childhood issues such as ear infections, coughs, colds and congestion — providing natural relief without medication.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis affects the smaller airways of infants and young children, often following a viral infection. It can cause wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing — especially during winter months.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt therapy provides a gentle, drug-free way to help clear mucus, reduce airway irritation and ease congestion, supporting easier breathing for little lungs.
Salt therapy is safe, natural and relaxing for children, making it a useful complementary approach alongside conventional care.
Why it helps:
Anti-inflammatory – helps calm swelling in the bronchioles
Mucolytic – loosens and clears congestion
Natural antimicrobial effect – helps reduce lingering pathogens
Supports faster recovery and better sleep quality
Drug-free and relaxing – ideal for children’s comfort and wellbeing
Cold & Flu
Colds and flu are a normal part of childhood, especially during nursery and school years.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers a gentle, natural way to support recovery and comfort by helping clear congestion, reduce inflammation and ease coughing. The fine salt particles reach deep into the airways, helping the body expel mucus and breathe more easily.
Regular salt therapy session can support children through the sniffly seasons and promote faster recovery.
Why is helps:
Clears nasal and chest congestion naturally
May shorten recovery time from colds or flu
Calms coughing and eases breathing
Supports the immune system
Safe and non-invasive — suitable for children of all ages
Coughs
Coughs are a normal part of childhood, often caused by colds, flu or other viral infections. While most clear up on their own, they can sometimes linger and cause discomfort, especially at night.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers a gentle, drug-free way to help ease coughing and congestion by cleansing and calming the airways.
The fine salt particles help loosen mucus, reduce irritation and support easier breathing — helping children rest and recover more comfortably.
Why it helps:
Mucolytic – helps loosen and clear mucus naturally
Anti-inflammatory – soothes swollen or irritated airways
Antibacterial – helps reduce germs in the respiratory tract
Cleansing – removes airborne allergens and irritants
Immune support – promotes the body’s natural defences
Sinusitis
When a cold lingers and congestion becomes trapped in the sinuses, children may develop sinusitis — causing pressure, stuffiness and discomfort.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy helps by cleansing and soothing the sinus passages, reducing inflammation and clearing mucus naturally.
Regular sessions may help prevent recurrent sinus infections and support long-term sinus health.
Why is helps:
Reduces swelling in the nasal and sinus passages
Helps thin and clear mucus buildup
Naturally antibacterial — supports healing and hygiene
Promotes easier breathing and comfort
Ear Infections
Ear infections are common in young children, often caused by mucus or fluid buildup during or after a cold.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers a gentle, drug-free way to support ear and respiratory health by helping to clear mucus, reduce inflammation and improve airflow through the ear, nose and throat.
Regular sessions can help lower the likelihood of recurring infections and ease discomfort associated with congestion and blocked ears.
Why it helps:
Antibacterial – helps reduce germs and bacteria that contribute to ear infections
Anti-inflammatory – may calm swelling in the ear canal and surrounding passages
Mucolytic – helps loosen and clear mucus that can block the Eustachian tube
Supports immunity – promotes the body’s natural defences and healing
Long COVID in Children
While Long COVID is less common in children, some may continue to experience cough, tiredness or shortness of breath weeks after infection.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy provides a calm, natural environment that can gently support the respiratory system and overall wellbeing.
It may help clear lingering congestion, promote easier breathing and support the immune system’s natural healing process.
Why it helps:
Clears mucus and soothes the airways
May ease coughing and congestion
Promotes relaxation and recovery after illness
Supports overall respiratory health and resilience
Skin Conditions
Our skin is constantly exposed to environmental irritants, stress and internal imbalances that can lead to inflammation, sensitivity or breakouts. Salt Therapy offers a gentle, natural way to support skin health from within — calming irritation, clearing impurities and helping the skin restore its natural balance.
Eczema & Psoriasis
Both are chronic skin conditions often linked to immune or inflammatory responses. While eczema tends to cause dry, itchy and inflamed patches, psoriasis creates thicker, scaly areas that can be painful or persistent.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers natural relief and long-term support. Breathing and absorbing the fine salt aerosol can help calm inflammation and support the body’s immune response from the inside out, while the salt particles themselves gently soothe the skin’s surface. It can be especially soothing during flare-ups or when used as part of a regular self-care routine, helping restore comfort and confidence in your skin.
Why it helps:
Anti-inflammatory – calms redness, itching and irritation
Antibacterial – helps prevent infection in broken or inflamed skin
Skin-repairing – supports healing and strengthens the skin barrier
Immune support – helps reduce hypersensitivity and flare-ups
Acne & Skin Clarity
Acne is often caused by excess oil, bacteria and clogged pores. The antibacterial and exfoliating properties of salt work to purify the skin’s surface, balance oil production and promote a clearer, smoother complexion.
How Salt Therapy Can Help
Salt Therapy offers a natural, gentle approach to clearer, healthier skin. Microscopic salt particles are absorbed through the skin during each session, where they help draw out excess oils, unclog pores and calm irritation. The result is a cleaner, more balanced complexion — all without harsh chemicals or drying treatments. Regular sessions can help improve overall skin tone, reduce breakouts and support a more confident, radiant appearance.
Why it helps:
Antibacterial action – helps eliminate acne-causing bacteria
Anti-inflammatory properties – soothe redness and irritation
Cleansing and exfoliating – gently remove impurities and dead skin cells
Balancing effect – helps regulate oil production and promote healing
Wellbeing & Relaxation
Beyond specific conditions, salt therapy offers a peaceful space to unwind and recharge.
The negatively charged salt ions are believed to promote relaxation, balance mood and improve sleep quality.
It’s also favoured by athletes and active individuals for its potential to enhance respiratory function, improve endurance and support post-exercise recovery. When combined with oxygen or red-light therapy, it can further enhance recovery, boost circulation, and promote overall physical wellbeing.
A Gentle Reminder
Even a single salt therapy session can leave you breathing easier and feeling refreshed, but the real benefits build over time with regular visits.
Salt Therapy is a complementary treatment, designed to work alongside your existing care plan — not replace it. For any specific health concerns, please consult your healthcare provider.
Consistent sessions help unlock salt’s full natural potential, supporting clearer breathing, healthier skin and a calmer mind.