In this article, I want to tell you about the benefits of salt. Yes, no kidding, you didn't mishear me. Despite the fact that in a previous post I scolded this product, talking about how unhealthy it can be, today it's time to talk about its positive aspects.
But wait, don't jump to any conclusions. This is not going to be about salt in dishes, but about inhalation therapy. More specifically, I will focus on the benefits of salt for the respiratory system and what respiratory diseases it has proven to be effective for.
Salt therapy is actually very ancient, first mentioned by the "father of physicians" Hippocrates over 2000 years ago when he recommended placing patients with respiratory problems in caves with salt on the walls. Then, following the thread of history, around 1850 a Polish doctor noticed that prisoners working in salt mines were paradoxically much healthier than people on the outside, despite the fact that they worked very hard physically and ate poorly. Later, a German doctor also noticed that those who took refuge in salt mines during military conflicts showed improvements in their health.
So, let's see what salt is capable of doing in a good way.
Firstly, inhaling aerosols alleviates and even cures a number of respiratory diseases. It is also useful for stress-related disorders such as sleep disorders and anxiety, as well as some types of allergies, but for now we will focus specifically on respiratory conditions.
So, saline aerosols provide very good results for patients suffering from bronchial asthma. Why do asthma attacks occur, in which the patient feels like he is short of air and suffocates? They occur when the airways become inflamed, narrowed, and air has difficulty passing through them. When salt aerosols get in there, they calm the inflammation, reduce it and restore the mucous membrane of the airways.
Other conditions that can be treated in saline are asthmatic bronchitis, bronchiectasis (without hemocyst), pneumoconiosis, chronic tracheobronchitis, chronic rhinitis, maxillary or chronic sinusitis, byssinosis, silicosis, pharyngeal polyposis, chronic tonsillitis and restrictive respiratory failure.
What is the mechanism by which salt acts in the lungs?
The simplest and best known mechanism of action of salt in the lungs is that it absorbs fluid. As you know, this is a universal characteristic of salt, namely that it absorbs fluid both from the air and from everywhere else. Once on the inflamed mucosa, salt absorbs fluid. Therefore, the edema is reduced and the pathway is widened or freed. This absorbed fluid takes the second step towards getting better, i.e. it goes into the secretory layer, which becomes liquid and is easily eliminated.
Taking this mechanism as a starting point, these 7 benefits of salt therapy for respiratory problems should be highlighted:
- Salt aerosols help reduce airway inflammation, which can be beneficial for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. Inhaling these salt particles calms and reduces inflammation, making breathing easier and relieving symptoms.
- Salt therapy helps thin mucus, easing expectoration and reducing nasal and bronchial congestion.
- Inhaling salt aerosols stimulates the immune system, helping the body to fight respiratory infections. The antimicrobial properties of salt can help reduce the number of bacteria and viruses in the airways, supporting the overall health of the respiratory system.
- Salt air has anti-allergenic properties, reducing sensitivity and allergic reactions of the airways to allergens such as pollen, dust and dust mites. Inhaling salt aerosols helps reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis and relieve nasal congestion.
- Another quite important benefit is that salt therapies increase the effectiveness of nebulized treatments.
- As already mentioned, one of the most important effects of saline air is to decongest and disinfect the mucous membranes of the airways. In turn, the health of the respiratory system contributes to easy breathing and a relaxed and restful sleep, effectively reducing snoring.
- A cleaner respiratory system helps to make breathing easier, bringing an increased supply of oxygen. Oxygen is essential for all athletes because it facilitates the production of glycogen, one of the main sources of energy for muscles. Better oxygenation helps athletes to increase their performance and recover more quickly from exercise.
Have you ever tried using salt therapy to get rid of your breathing problems?
If not, I highly recommend it. Moreover, in addition to being indicated for adults and children with respiratory problems, I would also recommend it to healthy people who want to maintain respiratory health and prevent disease by boosting their immune system.