Thursday
Mar122009
Thu, March 12, 2009 | Lisa Barger Himalayan Salt Inhaler
“What do you know about Himalayan Salt Inhalers? Can it really cure asthma?”
No, these new Himalayan salt inhalers cannot possibly “cure” asthma and I can’t find even a single asthma organization, an asthma specialist or even a credentialed “natural” practitioner willing to go on record recommending them with the exception of television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz who called them one of this top 10 alternative remedies to try in 2010.
Hippocrates allegedly boiled salt water and inhaled the resulting steam to clear his lungs but, as any 6th grader knows, salt can’t travel in steam. If it could, all the water purification plants on the earth using distillation as a purification method would fail.
So that pretty well leaves the sellers of these inhalers only one choice—recommend the inhalation of powdered salt. The instructions say to fill the inhaler, which looks something like a handleless teapot, with rock salt, swirl it around and place the “spout” in your mouth. You’re then instruction to inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose.
Since they claim to be the “official” salt inhalers tested with “some of the latest and most sophisticated equipment and facilities available anywhere”, let’s stay with Nature’s Artifact’s web site. Here’s what they claim their $45.00 inhalers can do for you:
Ultimately, we can’t find any scientific studies on these salt inhalers, despite claims of “studies” we saw on various web sites. Nor can we find any credentialed “natural” practitioner who will recommend them. Yes, there are legitimate medical devices known as saline nebulizers but they distribute fine particles of salty water into the air—they don’t just spray dry salt powder everywhere.
One thing that these devices might do for patients is to help dry up mucus in the throat and upper respiratory tract. We can’t find any actual studies on their effectiveness for this purpose but this is one of the potential benefits Oz mentioned in his discussion of them. And, indeed, a growing number of LisaBarger.com readers are reporting good results with them.
At the end of the day, however, these devices still won’t cure asthma and we’ve seen a handful of people who reported bad experiences with them. But, if you consider all sides of Himalayan salt inhalers, they just might be worth talking over with your doctor.
References:
Nature’s Artifacts. (No Date Given). Retrieved from http://www.himalayansaltinhaler.com/ on March 12, 2009.
Khan, S., et al. (2004). Is nebulized saline a placebo in COPD? BMC Pulmonary Medicine.
No, these new Himalayan salt inhalers cannot possibly “cure” asthma and I can’t find even a single asthma organization, an asthma specialist or even a credentialed “natural” practitioner willing to go on record recommending them with the exception of television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz who called them one of this top 10 alternative remedies to try in 2010.
Hippocrates allegedly boiled salt water and inhaled the resulting steam to clear his lungs but, as any 6th grader knows, salt can’t travel in steam. If it could, all the water purification plants on the earth using distillation as a purification method would fail.
So that pretty well leaves the sellers of these inhalers only one choice—recommend the inhalation of powdered salt. The instructions say to fill the inhaler, which looks something like a handleless teapot, with rock salt, swirl it around and place the “spout” in your mouth. You’re then instruction to inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose.
What Salt Inhalers Do, Supposedly
Since they claim to be the “official” salt inhalers tested with “some of the latest and most sophisticated equipment and facilities available anywhere”, let’s stay with Nature’s Artifact’s web site. Here’s what they claim their $45.00 inhalers can do for you:
- Activate the body’s self-healing & self-regulating powers
- Create a balance needed to heal disease
- Ease breathing difficulties & shortness of breath
- Treat allergies, cold & flu
- Help snoring
- Relieve sinus conditions
- Counter the effects of smoking
Is There Any Science Behind Himalayan Salt Inhalers?
Ultimately, we can’t find any scientific studies on these salt inhalers, despite claims of “studies” we saw on various web sites. Nor can we find any credentialed “natural” practitioner who will recommend them. Yes, there are legitimate medical devices known as saline nebulizers but they distribute fine particles of salty water into the air—they don’t just spray dry salt powder everywhere.
One Thing Himalayan Salt Inhalers Might Do
One thing that these devices might do for patients is to help dry up mucus in the throat and upper respiratory tract. We can’t find any actual studies on their effectiveness for this purpose but this is one of the potential benefits Oz mentioned in his discussion of them. And, indeed, a growing number of LisaBarger.com readers are reporting good results with them.
At the end of the day, however, these devices still won’t cure asthma and we’ve seen a handful of people who reported bad experiences with them. But, if you consider all sides of Himalayan salt inhalers, they just might be worth talking over with your doctor.
References:
Nature’s Artifacts. (No Date Given). Retrieved from http://www.himalayansaltinhaler.com/ on March 12, 2009.
Khan, S., et al. (2004). Is nebulized saline a placebo in COPD? BMC Pulmonary Medicine.
This is a "retired" article left in place for archival purposes; it may not reflect current thinking or research on the topic. No new comments are being accepted at this time
Reader Comments (17)
Hi,
Dr. Oz talked about the Himalayan Salt Inhalers today, I thought it was quite interesting.
Yes Dr. Oz did talk about the inhalers today and he highly recommended their use. 02/12/2010
I'm not sure he highly recommended them but I think he did say he'd like to try one. I wish he had talked more about the asthma part though. My son has asthma and I'm thinking we might give these a shot.
Didn't you just contradict yourself by saying that salt cannot travel in steam and then say that "Yes, there are legitimate medical devices known as saline nebulizers but they distribute fine particles of salty water into the air—they don’t just spray dry salt powder everywhere." What's the difference?
Nebulizers don't use steam, Jacob. They use air to force the (typically) room-temperature or body-temperature water through a specially designed "nipple", breaking it up into super-fine particles that can stay suspended in air. It has absolutely nothing to do with steam--it's more like putting your thumb over a garden hose and breaking one large stream into millions of drops, except that you're talking about super-fine particles.
We're not saying that salt inhalers can't help some people with some symptoms. But there's a big difference between "helping" and "curing".
Thanks to everyone who's taken time to comment on this article. Presenting all sides of a discussion is a priority here at LisaBarger.com and we appreciate our readers.
I bought the inhaler from www.himalayansaltinhaler.com right after i saw it on Dr OZ. For me it works and i am very happy with my purchase.
I made my own salt inhaler useing a childs sippy cup I poked small holes in bottom put the salt in it works.... cost me 2.00 for the cup 6.00 for a lb.of salt.....
Jane, I think that's brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing that with us.
The comment about making your own salt inhaler is il-advised as store bought salt may have iodine and anti caking agents.There are many type of anti caking agents so ultimately you do not know what you are inhaling unless you can obtain pure salt crystals that have not been processed other than rinsing to remove surface impurities from mining or collecting the salt.
A few years ago a Dr. in Australia realized his patients with cystic fibrosis who surfed weren't hospitalized as often as nonsurfers, the reason, salt air healed their lungs. Don't dismiss this therapy for any lung issue, try it! Why not?
Dr. Oz (televised early April, 2010) suggests using Himalayan Salt Inhaler to "aid" with breathing problems and throat problems. To date, he has never led me wrong.
I am going with Doc Oz advice, i am going to research a little more but think I will try anything to help my son.
I ordered pink himalayan salt from saltworks as that seemed to be the most reasonable way to go price wise. I bought 5 lbs of gourmet, all natural, untreated, direct from the caves, pink himalayan salt for $19... no shipping charge or tax. It arrived about the end of January and I started using it right away. My inhalation "pipe" was/is a disposable coffee cup... also natural without chems... that I punched holes into the bottom of and keep filled halfway with the salt. I keep the cup in a small dish covered with tissues to keep the dust out. I have also found that if I keep a dish with some of this salt in it and play with it...or... use it in one of those "zen" desk trays with the rakes... I get pretty much the same effect. The negative ions are being released and I am breathing them in. I got busy with "life" the around the end of March and beginning of April and didn't use the salt inhalation. What a difference! I couldn't believe how much my lungs/throat/ sinuses worsened. When I realized that I hadn't been doing the salt therapy I got back on it right away and 2 days later I am almost back to where I was a month ago. So... I say.. try it. If it doesn't work for you... you still have some yummy gourmet salt for your cooking. I use mine in cooking AND in my bath water.
As for the lack of evidence-based research on these salt inhalers, let's not overlook the fact that Big Pharma wouldn't profit from something like this and therefore are unlikely to fund research for them. The inhalers are unlikely to be harmful and they are cheap, so no major harm in trying them.
Just a thought.
Thanks to all the above....better info given than a pulmonologist I once had. At present, my COPD is in control thanks to a nurse practicetioner (I don't know how to spell it) who works at the local clinic.
I'm afraid that's going to have to do it for unmoderated comments. It's always been our policy to close the comment section on older articles and with the recent "Duncan" drama . . .well, it just seems like a good time to call this one done.
Once again, I want to thank everyone who took time to share their personal experience with Himalayan salt inhalers. Whether you ultimately agreed with us or not, your opinion will help others make up their own minds and that's really what LisaBarger.com is all about--helping you make an informed decision.
I just purchased a Himalayan Salt Inhaler
and have been using it for 3 days now. So far I can say that it does get rid of mucus. I have COPD and am hoping it will help me. Anything is worth a try.