Guide
What is halotherapy?
Halotherapy, also called dry salt therapy, is the practice of breathing air containing microscopic particles of dry salt in a calm, controlled room. Here is how it works, where it came from, and what to expect.
Halotherapy in one paragraph
The word comes from the Greek halos, meaning salt. In a modern salt room, a device called a halogenerator grinds pure, pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride into very fine particles, typically 1 to 5 microns across, and blows them into the room as a dry aerosol. You sit and breathe normally for a session of around 30 to 45 minutes. Unlike a sauna or steam room there is no heat or humidity, and unlike a simple salt lamp or salt wall, the salt is actively dispersed into the air you breathe.
Wellness, not medicine. Halotherapy is a complementary wellness practice. It is not a cure for any disease and should never replace prescribed treatment such as inhalers. Speak to your GP if you have a respiratory or heart condition before trying it.
From salt mines to salt rooms
The story starts underground. In the 1840s the Polish physician Feliks Boczkowski noticed that workers in the Wieliczka salt mine near Kraków seemed to have fewer chest complaints than other labourers. Over the following century, spending time in salt caves, known as speleotherapy, became a recognised practice in Poland, Germany, Austria, Romania and the former Soviet Union. During the Second World War, people sheltering in German salt caves reported breathing more easily, which renewed medical interest.
Because not everyone can travel to a salt mine, researchers in the 1980s, particularly in St Petersburg, developed ways to recreate the cave microclimate above ground. The key invention was the halogenerator, which produces a controlled, measurable salt aerosol. This is what modern halotherapy means: a reproducible salt cave atmosphere in an ordinary room.
How a halogenerator works
Grind
Pure, dry pharmaceutical grade salt is fed into a stainless steel grinding chamber.
Separate
Only the finest particles are carried away by the airflow. Heavier grains stay behind.
Disperse
A fan releases a gentle, steady salt aerosol into the room at the chosen concentration.
Professional units such as the PRIZMA multiSALT+ and prizSALT+S let the operator set the session length, salt output in grams per hour and air volume, and save these as programmes. Home units like the PRIZMA homeSALT use simple intensity modes.
Halotherapy vs salt lamps, salt walls and saline nebulisers
| How salt reaches you | Typical use | |
|---|---|---|
| Halotherapy (dry salt) | Fine dry salt particles actively dispersed by a halogenerator | Salt rooms, spas, home units |
| Speleotherapy | Natural microclimate of underground salt mines | Salt mine health resorts |
| Salt lamps and walls | Decorative; release little or no salt into the air | Ambience and décor |
| Saline nebuliser | Wet salt water mist, prescribed in some conditions | Medical use under supervision |
What happens in a session?
- Arrive and settle. Wear comfortable clothes. Some rooms provide shoe covers to keep the salt floor clean.
- Relax for 30 or 45 minutes. Sit or recline in a calm, softly lit room. Breathe normally through your nose and mouth.
- Notice the air. You may taste a little salt on your lips. The room is dry, not humid, and at a comfortable temperature.
- Afterwards. Drink some water and carry on with your day. Salt brushes off clothing easily.
Who tries halotherapy?
People come to salt rooms for many reasons: to unwind and switch off, as part of a broader wellness routine, after hearing about it from friends, or out of curiosity about the research into breathing and skin. Athletes and singers sometimes use it as a calm recovery space. Parents often ask about children; we recommend children attend with an adult and that you speak to your GP first if your child has a medical condition.
When to check with your doctor first
Halotherapy is generally described as well tolerated, but please speak to a medical professional before your first session if you have any of the following:
- Severe or uncontrolled asthma, or a recent flare up
- Active infection, high temperature or open wounds
- High blood pressure or heart conditions
- Cancer or ongoing treatment
- Pregnancy, if you have any concerns
Always bring and keep using any prescribed medication, including inhalers.
Halotherapy FAQs
What does halotherapy do?
Halotherapy creates a dry, salt rich microclimate similar to a salt cave. Many people find sessions relaxing. Research has explored possible effects on breathing and skin, with some encouraging early findings, but the evidence is still limited. See our research summary.
How often should I go?
There is no fixed rule. Studies have typically used courses of 10 to 20 sessions over several weeks, while many people simply visit when they want to relax.
Is halotherapy safe?
Reviews have generally reported halotherapy as well tolerated, with few adverse effects. It is not suitable for everyone, so check with your GP if you have a medical condition.
Is a salt lamp the same as halotherapy?
No. Salt lamps are decorative and release little or no salt into the air. Halotherapy uses a halogenerator to actively disperse fine dry salt particles.
Can I do halotherapy at home?
Yes. Compact devices such as the PRIZMA homeSALT are designed for small rooms. Use our salt room size and halogenerator finder to check which unit suits your space.
Where can I try halotherapy in Exeter?
Our new Exeter Salt Room at King St Business Centre is opening soon, with 30 and 45 minute sessions. Register your interest to be told when booking opens.
Try it for yourself
Book a calm half hour in Exeter, or bring halotherapy into your home or business.