There you stand, listening to the waves softly crashing against the rocky beach. High above you, the sun is shining on the water, providing a bright blue glow to the afternoon. As you take in the ocean breeze all around, a sense of peaceful grace comes over you. To many, this is the power of the ocean, a calm and gentle place to relax.

Have you ever experienced the many effects of the ocean? If so, have you enjoyed the benefits of breathing in the ocean air and thinking how wonderful it is? Well, you are not alone. The ocean, especially ocean air, has commonly been referred to as a source of healing for all types of ailments, including certain lung diseases. But in reality, does the ocean air actually help sufferers of lung disease?

Breath of Fresh Ocean Air: Does it Work?

For almost 200 years, people have flocked to the ocean or taken part in salt baths in order to treat certain medical conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis or COPD. It is commonly believed that breathing in the fresh salty air can help treat the people who suffer from these respiratory problems. Does this belief hold any merit though?

According to the President of the American Thoracic Society, Dr. Thomas W. Ferkol, there is some evidence that supports this claim. In an article published by Wall Street Journal, Dr. Ferkol mentions that a study taking place in Australia tracked the effects of the ocean air on surfers suffering from cystic fibrosis. The study lasted 48 weeks and produced some evidence that the salt air was helping to clear out the lungs of the patients. Not only that, but the patients also showed signs of fewer flare-ups and a reduced need for certain antibiotics.

Another study has found that there are therapeutic qualities to ocean air that have helped lung disease patients as well. The study tested patients with a variety of lung diseases to see if there was a common improvement in symptoms. While patient results were on an individual basis, these were some of the more common results from patients that breathed in the ocean air:

Thinner mucus
Improved lung function
Reduced coughing
Decreased sinus pressure

While more time and research is needed to understand the definitive health benefits of ocean air, a trip to the beach could do more good than originally thought. People with a chronic lung disease can head to Tampa, Florida in order to breathe in the salty ocean air and to visit the cutting-edge clinic, the Lung Health Institute, which offers a revolutionary cellular therapy that helps patients breathe easier.

by Sunny Lal | Halotherapy

With the advent of a relatively new form of therapy gaining popularity world-wide, called salt therapy, otherwise known as halotherapy, many people ask this popular question:

Is breathing salt air good for you?

What People are Saying

The question arises as more and more people frequent the beach, and afterwards report positive results like feeling rejuvenated, and being better able to breathe. Many others report remarkable improvements in the condition of their skin. These benefits are often attributed to bathing in the sea water, and also from breathing in the salt-rich air.

Benefiting from the effects of sea water and it’s salty environment is actually an age old practice, called Thalassotherapy. Wikipedia’s definition:

Thalassotherapy is the use of seawater as a form of therapy. It is based on the systematic use of seawater, sea products, and shore climate. Practitioners claim the properties of seawater have beneficial effects upon the pores of the skin.

Is Salt Air Good for the Lungs?

An article in Reader’s Digest reports that “seaside air is really good for your health” and lists the various benefits of breathing in the salt-rich air, which includes your respiratory system, your immune system, and your skin. Reportedly, the salt rich atmosphere found near the seaside:

“…is especially beneficial to the respiratory organs and the skin, but also improves circulation and strengthens the body’s defences.”

In an article titled “The Health Benefits of Ocean Air“, the Lung Health Institute claims that breathing in salt-rich air can benefit certain medical conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. The article also lists medical studies showing evidence that this type of salt therapy can:

reduce mucus
reduce coughing
decrease sinus pressure
and improve lung function

Can Salt Therapy Benefit Respiratory Patients?

Salt therapy has been found to benefit a wide variety of health conditions, such as Colds and Flu, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Bronchitis, Emphesyma, Cystic Fibrosis, and even skin conditions such as Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis, Acne, and has even been shown to reduce the signs of aging.

Salt therapy benefits each condition.

Normal vs Inflamed Air Passage

The Clinical Studies Supporting Salt Therapy

Salt therapy has been around for a few decades, but is not widely recognized as a method of holistic therapy.

Clinical Evidence Salt therapy
Clinical evidence supporting salt therapyThere’s been some speculation about the true benefits of salt therapy, but in case there is any doubt, we found several randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical studies performed by medical practitioners around the world, proving it’s health benefits for various respiratory and skin conditions.

The Results of Breathing Salt Air

The detoxifying effects of breathing in salt-rich air can reduce symptoms of various respiratory illnesses and skin conditions, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the signs of aging.

When salt therapy is practised on a regular basis, it can help improve our well-being and quality of life.

Besides the therapeutic health benefits, the calming environments found in salt rooms also have the added benefit of improved relaxation, which also helps to reduce stress, increase energy levels, and promote better sleep patterns — all of which can help improve our overall sense of well-being. ~

Tag: Ocean Air

Does the Ocean Air Help Lung Disease?