Have you ever been to a salt cave spa?

At first I dismissed them as gimmicky, but after a little research, I’m intrigued! Apparently the first one was created in 1839 by a Polish physician, who noticed that salt mine workers were quite healthy, especially compared to other miners he saw in his clinic. Around 100 years later, a German physician noticed something similar— that people hiding in salt caves during WW2 actually experienced respiratory benefits. Salt spas— or “subterraneotherapy” started catching on in Europe as a result, and has made its way to the US in recent years.

In theory, breathing in salt draws excess mucous out of the lungs, reduces inflammation, and kills harmful bacteria. But unsurprisingly, there’s only one research study about salt therapy and COPD, and the results are inconclusive.

So, it may have health benefits, but it may not— either way I love the concept of walls and floors being healing. Worst case scenario, you spend some money to relax in a pretty room.

I got my info from the American Lung Association, which has a great little article on this.