Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Historically, asthma and other lung disease sufferers in Europe entered underground salt mines to relieve breathing problems. Since then, several studies have been conducted to evaluate how salt affects lung function.
A recent study of 35 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using a dry salt inhaler revealed significant improvement in the six-minute walk test and demonstrated an improvement in quality of life, as reported on the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire.
Several other clinical trials have revealed the benefits of salt therapy for up to 85 percent of mild and moderate asthma cases, 75 percent of severe asthma cases and 97 percent of chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis cases.
Advocates of Himalayan salt claim that salt therapy cleanses the respiratory system and eliminates toxins. Widely accepted benefits of Himalayan salt include its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, ability to loosen excessive mucus, removal of airborne pollen and improvement of the immune system.
Natural Himalayan salt penetrates deep into the lungs to treat damaged tissue. Sometimes symptoms subside for up to 12 months following salt therapy.