Salt: It Adds Not Only Flavor to Our Food, but Our Lives As Well

Wikipedia defines common salt or sodium chloride (NaCl), as a mineral that is essential to not only human function, but is one of our five basic tastes.  Too much can be harmful to our health (blood pressure, heart, etc.), and too little in a recipe can cheat us out of the full flavoring that a foodstuff has to offer (2015). Setting aside the culinary aspect, it begs the question: What other medicinal benefits can we reap from this gift of the Earth?  Today we are going to venture into the world of halotherapy, also known as “salt therapy”.

     Danica Collins, columnist for the Underground Health Reporter, describes the origin of halotherapy as follows:

“Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed saltwater inhalation therapy for bronchial and lung disorders.  Today, the intentional use of salt for medicinal purposes is called “salt therapy” (also halotherapy, from the Greek word halos for salt, and spleotherapy, from the Latin word spalenca for cave)”.

     Ms Collins further relates that salt caves were used as far back as the mid 1800s to treat and improve the symptoms of diseases such as: asthma, psoriasis, congestion, and sinusitis.  Additionally, the author noted that spleotherapy originated in Poland in the 1950s when healthcare workers discovered that salt miners rarely suffered from tuberculosis. Collins also named a few studies which demonstrated the benefits of spending time in natural salt caves (2015).  Since most of us may not live near a natural salt cave, how can we reap the benefits of the same?

     An increasingly popular movement in the United States is the construction of artificial caves using Himalayan or other equivalent form of rock salt.  Zajac, etal, noted that due to an ever increasing degradation of air quality, people are seeking an environment without pollution that is replicated in a natural salt cave microclimate (2014).  These authors conducted a study of 303 Polish citizens and made the following observations and recommendations concerning artificial caves:

1.      A therapeutic cave uses a salt generator that produces a dry salt aerosol within the room.  This is a purified air which is kept at a temperature between 64 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity of 50-60%.  When the air crosses the salt walls it releases the microelements: iodine, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper selenium, and bromine.  The authors stated that the inhaled aerosol contains both anti-inflammatory and bactericidal (bacterial-killing) properties.  The above noted conditions are essential in order to reap the most health benefits.

2.      The use of a salt generator is equivalent to being in a salt mine or by the sea.  In caves that were constructed without one, the concentrations of the microelements were negligible.  The time spent in the cave was anywhere from 45 minutes (minimum) to upwards of 2 hours.

3.      A disadvantage to halotherapy is the attached cost, as it may require several sessions to notice improvement.  However, even one session will provide a participant a place to escape from the stresses of life.  Rest and relaxation are the order of the day in the salt cave (2014).

So what is it like to spend time in an artificial salt cave?

Salt Cave in Worth, Illinois

     A couple of weeks ago I visited the Salt Cave in Worth, Illinois.  This business is located in a strip mall unit off of a busy street running through this city, and from the exterior it was a very unassuming place.  I entered the main lobby area which was simply decorated and had a couch, and bench seats where customers can place their shoes, hang their coats, and wait for the next treatment time.  The staff is very pleasant and greets customers as they make entry into the facility.   The treatment is 45 minutes in length and starts every hour on the hour which is paid for prior to entry into the cave.

     After I removed my coat and shoes, the receptionist handed me a pair of blue foot coverings (similar to ones that you might see a surgeon or crime scene investigator wear as part of their professional apparel).  Myself and several other customers entered the cave through a brown, solid oak door approximately five minutes before the start of the session.  The first thing I noted was the lighted, ornate mosaic of dolphins that occupied the back wall of the cave.  The cave itself is designed to mimic a beach scene, and felt as such as I walked on the fine granulated “beach salt”.  Several zero gravity chairs were lined up like soldiers in a formation on the left and right side walls.  Blankets found on each chair doubled as either a covering on a pillow for comfort.  The walls and the ceiling were covered with thick layers of Himalayan salt that resembled stalactites that I recalled seeing as a young teenager in the Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico.

     I descended into my chair of choice in the middle of the left side wall, leaned back, and quickly found myself in the horizontal position.  Even though the room was a comfortable temperature, I felt more relaxed under the cover of a blanket.  Exactly on the hour, the door was closed, the lights dimmed, and soft relaxation music that filled the room added an extra special touch to the experience.  I closed my eyes and began a deep meditative practice which sometimes found my mind drifting off to thoughts of past and future events.  I quickly refocused attention on my breath to center myself once again. 

    Before I knew it, 45 minutes passed by like the blink of an eye.  The lights were brought back to full strength, the door opened, and I exited with a renewed sense of purpose.  As I left the cave I promised myself that I would return to this little piece of “Hawaii” I could call my own, even if for just three-quarters of an hour at a time.  If you do not live near Worth, I highly recommend seeking a salt cave nearest to where you live.  Even if you do not seek the medicinal benefits, the relaxation experience is well worth the trip.  However, before adding this modality to any wellness regimen, please consult with your licensed healthcare provider to ensure that it will safely compliment an existing prescribed treatment plan.

References

Collins, D. (No date).  Salt Therapy A Powerful Healing Detoxifier.  Retrieved from http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/salt-therapy/ on 2/13/2015.

Salt Cave Micro-Climate Center.  Retrieved from http://www.saltcaveworth.com/ on 2/13/2015.

Wikipedia (2015).  Salt.  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt on 2/13/2015.

Zajac, et al (2014).  Salt caves as simulation of natural environment and significance of halotherapy.  Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24738510 on 2/13/2015.

Note: click on the green box that says open access full text to retrieve the PDF file for this study.

My Forever Goodbye to a Friend

     Today marks the 17^th anniversary of my friend “Little Dicky’s” suicide.  Last year at this time (in this blog), I recounted the events of that fateful night as well as the aftermath that led me down a road to a 16 year struggle with PTSD.  As you may recall, I assembled my own holistic team which included professional counseling, acupuncture, and reiki healing treatments.  Two months into this journey I wrote a letter to my friend with the intention of leaving it at his grave site (see A Letter About the Greatest Lesson in Life . . . Letting Go).  Today marks a peaceful epilogue to this story which I will now relate.

    During the last several days my soul was restless as I anticipated this fast approaching date, which in 1998, was the exact same day of the week (Thursday).  I was not sure how I was going to react when today dawned, but knew in my heart and soul that I was going to finally complete this year long trip around the dark side of the moon and back.  I began the morning with a Kundalini yoga practice to center myself.  This form includes a meditative thought process where the practitioner looks inward towards the deepest part of his/her soul (at least this is my interpretation).  At the end of an hour and fifteen minutes, I was more relaxed than I had been in days.  The greatest challenge for me was going to be an acupuncture session later in the day.

     The last time I met with Erin, I said that when she saw me again it would be the anniversary of an event that brought me to see her in the first place.  Prior to the session, I told Erin that no matter what happens, we will not stop the treatment even if it brought me back to an unpleasant experience. She told me that this was a great attitude, and that all of our hard work together would bring me just rewards.  Today’s healing was a spiritual cleansing and she inserted needles into acupuncture points to form what is known as Buddha’s Triangle.  This type of treatment is reserved for special events such as today, and was going to assist in creating the inner peace that I have longed for over 17 years.  I am happy to report that the session was unremarkable, and Buddha’s Triangle lived up to expectations.  I have finally moved back into the light.

     Immediately following this experience I went to “Little Dicky’s” grave and taped my letter to the granite wall.  As I walked away, I smiled knowing that I would never have to look “over the shoulder of my mind” ever again.  In that peaceful few moments, I had said my forever goodbye to a friend.  I will always remember the time we had together on this Earth, as well as the lessons learned from this life experience.  After all the physical, mental, and emotional struggles I faced, it all boils down to this one phrase: QUIET THE MIND AND THE SOUL WILL AWAKEN.  Know that I am fine- I am well, and ready to walk through the next door on my journey towards a more balanced existence.

 

In health,

Tim

 

 

What Does it Mean to be Mindful?

Center for Mindfulness at UMass

The funny thing about the Universe is that when it speaks to you, it does so in a loud and resounding voice.  As I continue on my journey towards a more balanced and peaceful life, road signs posted along the way are the key to this attainable goal.  Last year, I took note as I passed them, but it wasn’t until I had an “ah ha” moment that it all came together in a neatly wrapped package with a common theme: Be More Mindful.  Before I discuss mindfulness, let me share with you the road signs as they unfolded before me:

 

1.      An article in Time Magazine titled The Art of Being Mindful by Katie Pickert (2/3/14).  I read the article and found it to be interesting, so I set that issue aside for future reference.

2.      Later in the year I had a conversation with Christina, the Practice Manager at the Natural Health ImprovementCenter-Alsip about centering oneself.  Christina is a reiki practitioner who absorbs the energy of others (positive or negative) as part of this healing art.  I asked her what she does to remained balanced, and she replied “Mindfulness Practices” (12/2014).

3.      Two days after this conversation, I received a subscription mailer to Mindful Magazine, to which I subscribed forthwith, as this was the “ah ha” that I referred to earlier.  After this moment I immediately recalled the article in Time Magazine and read it again.

So what is Mindfulness?

 

 

     In 1979, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, opened a stress reduction clinic (now called the Center forMindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center) that laid the foundation for the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course currently offered either at UMass or online (2015).

MBSR is a form of meditation that asks the practitioner-student to pay attention to what is happening in the present moment of your life, rather than fixating on the past or future events.  Dr. Kabat-Zinn realized that we live in a fast-paced, stressed-out society, which can fill our minds with scattered thoughts (2015).  We never seem to have the ability to just stop and smell the roses (as the old adage goes) without having our attention diverted elsewhere.  As a society we become engrossed with what happened in the past, or what lies ahead of us in the form of future events.  The basic premise of MBSR is to live fully in the present with each activity to which are currently engaged.

     Kabat-Zinn found that when we become more mindful to life’s moments, our stress levels are lowered (cortisol/adrenaline levels), thoughts become more clear and focused, we make better decisions, and no longer let life just pass us by.  For example, if we were to mindfully concentrate on driving (and all the acts involved with this task), we would arrive safely at our next destination because we did not shift our focus to answer the latest text or tweet.

     Katie Pickert tells us that meditation, or “the practice of doing nothing and being tuned into your own mind at the same time . . . research shows it reduces stress and increases focus” (2/3/14).  Ms. Pickert listed what she calls the Five Steps to Mindfulness Meditation:

1.      Sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor, or upright in a chair with your back straight and shoulders dropped.  Take a deep breath, and close your eyes.

2.      Focus on the air moving in/out of your lungs, but don’t change the pattern of your breathing.

3.      Once thoughts enter your mind (and they will), acknowledge them, and return to your breath.  During the beginning of your meditation practice, this may happen quite often so don’t become discouraged, just keep at it.

4.      Don’t judge yourself or try to ignore these thoughts.  Just notice the mind has wandered, and return to your breathing.

5.      Start with 10 minutes a day for a week.  The more you meditate, the easier it will become to keep a focused attention (2/3/14).

     The road signs kept beckoning me to be more mindful, so I made the decision to enroll in the 8 week online MBSR course.  I am also reading the revised edition of Full Catastrophe Living, by Kabat-Zinn, which is considered the MBSR bible.  In future posts I will share with you, my readers the basic principles of MBSR as I learn and practice them.  My hope is that it will inspire you to do the same in your quest for a more balanced life.

     Even after I made this commitment, the Universe reinforced this decision with one more road sign.  One morning, I read the Parade Magazine that comes with our Sunday newspaper.  The cover title was “The #1 Health-Booster in 2015: Politicians, Children, and Celebrities are doing it-Shouldn’t You?” (1/11/15).  I was intrigued enough to read the full article on the enclosed pages, and wouldn’t you know it: The #1 Health-Booster in 2015 is- Mindfulness.  How’s that for the Universe speaking directly at you? 

References

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013). Full Catastrophe Living (2^nd ed.). New York: Bantam Books.

Meleo-Meyer, F. & Santorelli, S. The MBSR Online Course: An 8-Week Training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.  Retrieved from http://www.soundstrue.com/store/the-mbsr-online-course-3226.html on 2/3/2015.

Pickert, K. (2014, February 3). The Art of Being Mindful. Time, 40-46.

Sole-Smith, V. (2015, January 11). The #1 Health-Booster in 2015. Parade, 10-14.