Does halotherapy strengthen your immune system?

This promising natural therapy is hugely popular at the moment, but what you may not know is that it has existed for centuries. As early as the 1800s, one clever doctor – who, like some of his colleagues, had noticed that the mineworkers working in the Eastern European salt mines were hardly ever ill – set up a successful treatment centre in a disused salt mine.

Our unique salt room at Thermae Grimbergen is a reconstruction of such a salt cave. In the garden of our wellness resort, in the swimwear area, you can take part in a healing halotherapy session, organised twice daily. These are free to our wellness guests. However, you do need to sign up at the centre on the day (for more info, just ask our reception staff). When you enter the white room, you instantly notice the special microclimate in this room, the walls, ceiling and floor of which are completely covered in salt. And what makes this room even more unique is that medicinal salt is dispersed in the room during the session. These salt particles are so tiny that they can easily reach the deeper layers of the lungs when inhaled.

Salt has antibacterial properties, so it helps fight infections (including fungal infections), allergies etc. Salt exfoliates and hydrates the skin and may even boost the production of white blood cells. These cells are your ally in the fight against all kinds of diseases. While little research has been done so far into its effect on the immune system, scientists suspect that it may well boost your immunity.

Halotherapy also has other potential health benefits: it may reduce your stress levels and improve the condition of your skin as well as your lung health.