Today I want to tell you all about salt pipes, what they are, why, and how to use one. I've included my first Official DTube Vlog because I really could not get away with demonstrating how I use it with photos!
Why I use the Salt Pipe
Asthma and respiratory illness is something I don't talk about much, but it has plagued me for all of my life. I wasn't born with it but as an infant I was exposed to "unknown harmful dust particles" when my dad was knocking out at wall in our very old brick house in England. What was in that wall was never examined but it was not good.
I nearly died. Spent weeks in the hospital and unfortunately I was a sickly kid ever since that happened. I was often given heavy medications such as prednizone (a steroid) and antibiotics to treat these issues. These treatments targeted specific ailments and never focused on building up my immunity or looked at my overall well being.
It wasn't until I was allowed to make my own choices about health, rid myself of all medication (other than ventolin for emergencies) that I gained control of my health. With a holistic approach that included natural remedies, food and a healthy environment (ie: no chemicals in the house) I was able to strengthen my immunity and manage my asthma. It was a long journey but I became a much healthier person.
I am like a canary in a coal mine. My body reacts to chemicals, toxic scents, synthetic ingredients and other "man made" toxins rapidly in the form of: asthma attacks, hives, dark under eye circles, and so on. If you want to know if it's bad for you, stick it in front of me for a minute.
Question
If our body are busy fighting off all these chemicals people are inundated with through the day, aren't we leaving ourselves more susceptible to illness? Wouldn't it be better to avoid all chemicals so our body can focus on fighting things outside of our control?
Here's an example of what I mean
My husband grew up in a typical tide, air freshener and perfume spraying household. He has a super immune system and rarely gets sick so until he met me and witnessed my struggles, he really had no idea about just how toxic many products were.
Because of me, he's been living is a really pure household for a lot of years. When he went home for a visit with family about a decade ago he broke out in rashes because of the scented tide detergent used to wash his clothes. His body was no longer used to these chemicals so it took time to build up a resistance to them again. When you think about this and start looking at all the products you've got in your home and the ingredients inside of them, and start wondering about just how many chemicals you are exposed to every day and the fact that your body is working hard to combat your use of them ...it's really interesting right?
I know my story is not a unique one. I might have gone a touch off course in that last paragraph so let me get back to salt therapy!
The fact is, I hate using medications and although I do have inhalers for emergencies, I've found some natural ways to manage my asthma that I wanted to share, specifically: Salt Therapy (Halotherapy). This treatment can be useful for people with chest infections and colds, allergies, during travel, and simply for purification & meditation.
I am going to mention that you should always use caution when trying new things - not everyone responds the same way and asthma is not something to play around with.
Salt Therapy - A little History
Salt therapy 'halotherapy' halos (Greek) for salt & speleotherapy ( Latin) for cave has been used for centuries. Sufferers of respiratory aliments would retreat deep into salt caves, inhaling the salt particles floating in the air. It was and is believed to reduce inflammation and infection of the lungs. This ancient therapy was also used for ridding the body of impurities.
It appears that this knowledge began with European monks. They noticed that when they treated respiratory ailments in natural salt caverns, their patients got better faster. If there were no salt caves nearby the monks would produce salt dust by grinding salt rocks against each other, which the patients then inhaled.
Did you know that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed saltwater inhalation therapy for bronchial and lung disorders?
In 1843, a Polish physician, Feliks Boczkowski noticed that salt miners did not experience respiratory issues or lung disease. When compared to coal mining and other types of mining, lung disease was a major concern so they found this quite remarkable.
About a hundred years later in Germany during World War II, salt mines were a common area for bomb shelters. A German physician noticed that his patients symptoms had improved notably after hiding in salt caves. The news of this quickly spread across Europe resulting in the first salt chambers.
Salt therapy research continued in the 1950s in the USSR and in the 1960's specially engineered salt therapy rooms became increasingly popular spreading across Eastern Europe and beyond. These rooms simulate the effects of being in a salt cave. These salt chambers are still popular today and in some European locations there are still salt caves being used for treatment.
Here are some salt caves that you can look up: (this list is not exhaustive, there are many more).
- Primal Oceans Salt Cave, Illinois, United States
- Galos Caves, Illinois, United States
- Cardona Salt Mountain, Spain
- Allergy & Asthma Institute, Kewra Salt Mine, Pakistan
- Saint Kinga Chapel in Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland
There was also the eventual creation of a ceramic salt pipe that you can use whenever you want to, which is what I am going to share with you today.
Salt Pipe
Himalayan salt has been pretty much a life saver when it comes to my personal wellness. Himalayan Pink Salt, which is a pure, hand-mined salt that is derived from ancient sea salt deposits that are believed to be the purest salt available. This is the salt you want to use.
Sometimes respiratory illnesses can make you feel dull, tired and headachy. My lungs always feel cleaner and even my mind brighter after a session with the salt pipe. It's really enlivening and wonderful to use.
A Salt pipe is usually ceramic. When you inhale through the mouthpiece, the passing moisture absorbs micron particles of incredibly pure, bio energetic and mineral-laden Himalayan Pink Salt, which penetrates and cleanses the entire respiratory system including sinuses, nasal cavities, throat and lungs. This salt air flushes impurities such as allergy and asthma triggers, smoke particulate and other nasties that can distress the respiratory system. Himalayan salt inhalers are considered to be the most effective form of Speleotherapy (the therapeutic use of salt, via mines, caves or other forms of exposure to salted air). source
A standard medical inhaler usually provides instant relief. A salt pipe, like many natural remedies, requires more time. The treatment can take 10 to 20 minutes and will often need to be repeated several times throughout the day. It offers a valuable opportunity to focus on your personal well being but it is not an "instant gratification" type of treatment. It can alleviate respiratory ailments such as:
- Asthma (and asthma triggers)
- Hay Fever
- Allergies
- Sinus Conditions
- Bronchitis
- Cold and Flu symptoms
- Breathing difficulties created by pollution in our air
- Sneezing, coughing & shortness of breath
- Dehydration symptoms & Irritation due to Smoking
- Respiratory symptoms caused by mold or fungus
How it works
Hold the salt pipe up to the mouth and inhale deeply through the mouth. You want to do this slowly and deeply, feel that salty air work through your lungs. slowly exhale out through the nose and repeat for 10 to 20 minutes. Don't force your breathing as you do this. Calm and relaxed is key. If you are dealing with sinus type issues you can also do nostril breathing by holding the inhaler to each nostril and inhaling deeply, while exhaling through the other nostril.
Depending on what you are ailed with, you may possibly experience some coughing or sneezing as the body rids itself of phlegm and mucus from the lungs.
Essential Oils
You can add essential oils to the salt pipe as well and I personally find this to be beneficial. I suggest you do this with only the highest quality of pure oils. For the past five years I have been using a blend that contains: Origanum marjorana (Marjoram), Boswellia carterii (Frankincense), Picea mariana (Black Spruce), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), Tanacetum annuum (Tansy), Melaleuca quinquenervia (Niaouli), and Mentha piperita (Peppermint). You can find this blend here. You can also find the salt pipe on their website. (I have no affiliation with this company)
Where to find a salt pipe
Many heath food stores carry salt pipes and they are easily found on-line. The model I use is made by Lumiere de Sel and in the US you can find it here and in Canada here. (affiliate link).
References
http://www.saltroom.com/history/
https://www.verbenaholisticcenter.com/saltroom
https://www.tribunes.com/tribune/sel/worm.htm
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