A salt pipe is an inhaler containing salt particles. Advocates of salt pipes suggest they help with many health conditions, including asthma, but scientific support is limited.

Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, can involve the use of salt pipes.

Halotherapy is an alternative treatment of breathing salty air that, according to anecdotal evidence and some advocates of natural healing, may help ease:

However, scientific support for these claims is limited.

Keep reading to learn more about whether salt pipes can help relieve certain health conditions, types of salt therapy, and how to use salt pipes.

There are claims that halotherapy is a viable treatment for COPD.

COPD is a lung disease that obstructs airflow. It’s caused by long-term exposure to particulate matter and irritating gases, often from cigarette smoke.

If you have a COPD diagnosis, you have an increased risk of developing conditions such as lung cancer and heart disease.

A2014 review of 151 studies examined the potential benefits of salt therapy for COPD. This review discovered only one high quality randomized controlled trial. Thus, the overall evidence was insufficient to recommend halotherapy as an effective treatment for COPD. The researchers emphasized the need for more rigorous research to determine its effectiveness.

More recently, a 2022 research review of 13 manuscripts largely supported the use of salt therapy, specifically dry salt inhalers, suggesting they positively affect people with chronic respiratory diseases. It’s thought that salt therapy does this by improving the removal of mucus from the lungs, boosting lung function, and improving overall breathing health and quality of life.

However, none of these manuscripts were published as peer-reviewed studies, nor did the review include any randomized controlled trials. Therefore, the evidence presented is not as robust as it may initially seem.

Ultimately, more structured research, specifically randomized clinical trials, is necessary to better assess the efficacy of halotherapy.

According to Asthma + Lung UK, not enough is known yet about halotherapy to consider it a reliable asthma treatment.

The charity notes that there are very few studies on salt therapy of good quality. It warns that inhaling salt may even irritate the airways and trigger a coughing or asthma attack. Currently, health professionals do not generally recommend salt therapy for people with asthma.

A 2021 study echoed this skepticism amongst health professionals. That said, the same study found that salt therapy showed some promise in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of asthma. Still, the study acknowledged that further research is necessary to address existing limitations and concerns.

There are typically two methods of salt therapy: dry or wet.

Dry salt therapy

Dry halotherapy is associated with natural or artificial salt caves. An artificial salt cave is a cool, low-humidity area with microscopic salt particles released into the air by a halogenerator. Salt pipes and salt lamps are typically based on dry halotherapy.

Wet salt therapy

Wet salt therapy is based on saline solutions, using:

While there’s a lack of scientific evidence on their effectiveness, some people still opt to use salt pipes:

  1. The person places salt crystals in the chamber at the bottom of the salt pipe.
  2. They breathe through the opening at the top of the salt pipe, slowly drawing the salt-infused air deep into their lungs. Many advocates of salt pipes suggest breathing in through the mouth and out through the nose.
  3. Many advocates of salt pipes suggest holding the salt air for 1 or 2 seconds before exhaling and using the salt pipe for 15 minutes each day.

However, it is essential to check with your doctor before using a salt pipe or any other salt therapy method. This is especially the case if you have a respiratory condition like asthma or COPD. Improper use may worsen symptoms.

Many proponents of salt inhalers suggest using Himalayan salt, claiming it’s a very pure, pollutant-free salt that contains 84 trace minerals found in the body.

Others suggest using ancient Halite salt crystals from salt caves in Hungary and Transylvania for similar reasons.

However, there is little evidence that Himalayan salt offers more health advantages than regular salt or contains as many trace minerals as suggested.

In the mid-1800s, Polish physician Feliks Boczkowski observed that salt miners didn’t have the same respiratory issues prevalent in other miners.

Then, in the mid-1900s, German physician Karl Spannagel observed that his patients had improved health after having hidden in salt caves during World War II.

These observations became the basis for the belief that halotherapy can be beneficial for health.

While there is a fair amount of anecdotal evidence to support the benefits of halotherapy, the lack of high quality scientific studies means it cannot yet be considered a proven treatment for conditions like asthma, COPD, or skin conditions.

Before trying a salt pipe or any new type of treatment, speak with your doctor to make sure it’s safe based on your health and the medications you’re taking.