By LYNDON ZAITZ
Of the Keizertimes
We are told to limit our salt intake in our diet. However, there is a halotherapy utilizing salt that is said to be beneficial.
The modern history of halotherapy dates to 1843, when a Polish physician promoted the idea of salt treatment after noticing that workers at salt mines did not have respiratory or lung problems.
Salt Haven, a new Keizer business owned by Jessica and Jeremy Reisdorf, offers halotherapy, in which a person is exposed to microscopic salt particles in a temperature-controlled room, not unlike a sauna. The couple learned of salt therapy while in Florida and were intrigued. Researching the therapy, they reached out to other businesses offering halotherapy. After discovering there were few in the region, they opened Salt Haven.
Halotherapy is holistic—it’s not a treatment or a prescription—said Jessica Reisdorf.
“We had a friend whose daughter has been coming (to Salt Haven). She has anxiety and asthma, so she wanted to try it to see if it would help her. She feels much better. She feels better in the moment, but then the next day she feels like she is able to manage her anxiety better. She’s been coming for about two months now,” she said. She added that anyone considering halotherapy should ask their doctor first. ”If it’s something that their doctor signs off on, then we welcome them to try it for themselves.”
Salt rooms are designed so that people can relax in a soothing and tranquil environment. Breathing in salt particles thins mucus, which allows a cough to be more productive and makes it easier to get phlegm out.
The average adult takes about 12-15 breaths per minute and little children about 20-30 breaths per minute. The main function of the lungs is to deliver oxygen to red blood cells and get rid of the CO2 from the body.
Scientific research has found that inhaled dry salt particles have bactericide, mucokinetic, hydrophilic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation in the entire respiratory tract and widen the airway passages. Dry salt particles are also known to accelerate the transportation of mucus, the elimination of residual tar and foreign allergens.
“As far as the benefits of salt, like a lot of people with allergies or skin conditions, they go out to the coast, for instance, and they spend some time out there, they’ll notice a difference in their breathing,” Jeremy said of wet salt therapies.
“Ours is dry salt; it’s way more absorbant. And that’s how it helps speed up that process in your body.” He went on to say halotherapy also benefits the skin, like eczema, psoriasis—different areas.
The treatments at Salt Haven are 20 or 40 minutes of the salt, which is micronized 99% pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride and it disperses into the air and of the room.
“That’s what you’re breathing,” said Jessica. “You don’t necessarily see it because it’s so small, but you can taste it on your lips and on your skin if it is exposed”
A 20 minute treatment gives one the equivalent of spending two days at the coast, for instance. The 40 minute session gives the benefit of the salt plus the relaxation time with the infrared in the room.
Jessica has a degree in psychology and works at a medical device company. Jeremy was a soccer coach at a small Tennessee university; he also played for more than 20 years.
“After COVID, I felt like we needed to provide something that was really helpful to people. Even though the breathing is probably the first thing that people think of and that’s a great benefit, I think how it helps with anxiety is for me, more important than anything,” said Jessica.
Jeremy added that one of the main goals of his life is to maintain a positive life experience. “If you’re healthy and you’re taking care of yourself, you just tend to have more energy,” he said.
A 20-minute treatment at Salt Haven is $25. The 40-minute treatment is $40. There is a discount for multiple treatment packages.
Salt Haven is located at 3785 River Rd. N., #101. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. The phone number is 971-428-7180, or visit their website at mysalthaven.com.
