The material was prepared with the assistance and informative support by Olha Lemko, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor at the Medical Faculty of Uzhgorod National University, who has valuable experience in the scientific substantiation of speleotherapy and its practical use for treatment of patients with bronchopulmonary diseases in the conditions of  Solotvino salt mines (Transcarpathia, Ukraine).

I’ve noticed that modern drugs and healthy habits do not always improve asthma symptoms in all my patients. Therefore, I started seeking different alternatives because dealing with asthma may need more than medication and inhalers.

A patient who came back from Eastern Europe told me how underground salt mines are used to treat asthma. At first, I didn’t think I would agree. While studying the background and growing research, I realized these areas might not only be popular in myths. Imagine walking deep into the earth, down hundreds of feet, reaching an airless place with salt in its atmosphere.

For several people, lying in those mines seems to soothe their bodies and quell inflammation. Why it happened is what I wanted to understand. Might there be potential for these ancient salt mines to help treat asthma? Let’s take a look at what various disciplines and our experiences show us.

What Is Speleotherapy?

I saw the term speleotherapy for the first time when researching different treatments for asthma. I didn’t turn to this therapy then, but it was unusual enough that I paid attention: the therapy involves going to underground salt mines to deal with breathing problems. The use of mines for health hasn’t appeared only recently.

For decades, some places in Europe have used salt mine treatments mainly for asthma, as the air there is clean and dry and has many tiny salt particles everywhere. For hours, patients remain in the mines only breathing. I didn’t think that just sitting in a place could be a benefit at first.

However, when I realized how quickly asthmatic lungs are irritated by pollen and pollution, it started to make sense. Many of those things that cause people to behave badly are not present in the mine environment. I think speleotherapy can be a helpful companion to, but not a substitute for, standard therapy for asthma.

How Salt Mines Became Healing Havens

I wasn’t originally sure that regular trips to a salt mine would improve asthma. Yet once I started reading about them, I realized why so many appreciate them. In the 19th century, Eastern European doctors saw that workers in salt mines had fewer problems with breathing than most.

What stood out to me about this is that asthma is very sensitive to how things are in the environment around us. Eventually, the mines grew into more than places where work was done. They came to serve as sites where asthma sufferers found a calm and clean environment in which to relax and take in the minerals in the mountain air.

It’s amazing that underground, the air never changes; there are no highs or lows in temperature, no pollen and none of the pollution found up above. It is not easy to find that sort of stability when you are above ground. I don’t believe salt mines provide a miracle solution, but their uses in medicine make sense once you learn their history.

The Science of Salt: Can It Really Help Asthma?

I was unsure when I first learned about people with asthma visiting salt mines. I make my decisions as a doctor based on research, not popular trends. So I started looking into science, because I wanted to know if something could improve the way people breathe.

Because fine salt particles are present, the air inside the mines is always cool, and dry and doesn’t include dust mites or pollen, common causes of asthma. Researchers think that breathing in these tiny salts may ease inflammation in the airways and make mucus thinner, so breathing is more comfortable.

I have noticed an improvement in some patients after they had time in these settings, even if the studies are not numerous. That’s where it becomes difficult. We require better-controlled research to find out if the salt helps or if just breathing cleaner air makes the difference. Even so, I feel there is hope, though it’s often the hardest cases that suggest it most.

Breathing Easy: Patient Experiences in Salt Mines

Several people with asthma who have tried breathing in salt mine have told me their experiences and those stories stick with me. One told me she hadn’t been able to take breaths that felt so good for years. He claimed the remedies allowed him to sleep all night without wheezing.

Whenever I read these stories, I keep in mind that one experience doesn’t decide if a drug is effective. Yet, I pay careful attention, mainly when common remedies haven’t helped. Patients tell doctors that the air below is sharp, clean and really comforting. For some divers, breathing exercises fill their whole time underground in salt mines, with no outside noise.

A number of people see early progress, but it can take time for others to notice results. I consider what works, because asthma can be hard to expect and safe relief should be valued.

Though I wouldn’t ask you to stop using your inhalers or medicine, I do think you should listen to what patients share. There are times when the first step in healing happens underground.

Risks and Considerations: Is It Safe for Everyone?

The first thing I ask patients about underground salt mine visits for asthma is whether it’s safe for them. That’s because not everyone can benefit from speleotherapy; only a fraction enjoy improvement. Treating patients with very bad asthma has worked well for some, while others with anxiety, heart diseases, or disabilities often have a harder time.

Going down into a mine takes time, the air is chilly and the task can be very hard. Sometimes, patients are told that salt may irritate their airways, and not bring relief. Sometimes, it does happen, though it’s not very common. Yet, while I am interested in this therapy, I never advise against tried-and-true treatments.

I view it as a complementary treatment that should only be used with your doctor’s help and with a clear understanding of your health. Safety needs to take priority so, even in the most promising underground areas, we always come first.

Conclusion

Even after learning more, I continue to wonder about underground salt mine therapy for asthma. Patients I’ve talked to report that time underground makes breathing more comfortable to them and I think their feedback carries weight. I also have to wait for rock-solid evidence before I tell most patients to try it. Despite all the current treatments, asthma can continue to cause problems for those affected. That’s why I’m interested in any relief a natural remedy can give. I don’t say it’s a magic solution but if a salt tunnel can give someone better air to breathe, it is worth noticing.

FAQs

What makes the air in underground salt mines different for asthma patients?

Salt mines underground always have a cool, dry atmosphere and they lack the allergens that pollen, dust mites and mold carry. There are also tiny salt particles present and these could both help to reduce airway inflammation and to clear mucus, making asthma symptoms less serious.

Is salt mine therapy backed by scientific research?

Several studies and clinical experiences indicate that bronchodilators may improve breathing and bring down the number of asthma symptoms. Nonetheless, as most clinical research isn’t completely randomized, the proof is usually not strong enough for doctors to share the findings with every patient.

Can children with asthma safely visit underground salt mines?

In most cases, you’re allowed, but only after careful preparation. Children with mild or moderate asthma can try this therapy, though you should talk to a pediatric pulmonologist first. For some mines, it is too difficult to get access or create enough support from the bottom because of the air pressure.

Do all underground salt mines offer the same therapeutic value?

No. Medical therapy isn’t always what salt mines are created or kept for. To get the best results from therapy, mine depth, clean air, relative humidity and patient comfort and safety must all be considered.

Can I use salt mine therapy along with my current asthma medications?

Yes, and it’s important to do so. This therapy should not be used as a substitute for using your inhaler, rescue medication, or an asthma action plan.