Chest congestion can be caused by any number of ailments, chief among them the common cold and the flu. Fortunately, chest congestion relief also comes in many forms, from home remedies like hot steam, to different kinds of medications and therapies like salt therapy. Hopefully one of these ways to break up chest congestion and relieve the build up of mucus works for you.

Vicks is your friend: 

Vicks can provide great relief when massaged onto your chest. Eucalyptus oil, one of Vicks’ active ingredients, is particularly helpful. Paired with hot water and  eucalyptus oil, it can double your phlegm fighting force! Not only is it antiviral (most chest coughs are viral infections), but it relieves your cough and loosens up mucus.

Tip: Rub vicks on your or your child’s chest each night before bed to let it work its magic. 

Get Steamy: 

Keeping the air moist can loosen mucus and reduce congestion and coughing. There are many ways to do this such as a humidifier. People with difficulty sleeping may wish to use a humidifier at night. Please note; humidifiers must be cleaned regularly to remove bacteria and other pathogens that can make symptoms worse and lead to infection. 

Other ways to inhale steam include:

Fill a large bowl with hot water. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over the head to contain the stream. Gently inhale the steam to loosen mucus. Tip: Add a teaspoon of vicks to the hot water. 

Or having a hot shower or bath: The hot water will fill the room with steam and help to alleviate symptoms.

Keep your fluids up:

Staying hydrated with enough water can help thin and loosen mucus making it easier to expel by coughing. A warm drink like herbal or decaf tea is also a soothing way to help keep fluids up. Broth and even the classic homemade chicken soup is also a great way to ease chest congestion while keeping hydrated. Stay away from alcohol, coffee, and caffeinated sodas when your chest is congested, as they may dehydrate you.

Lemony Goodness:

Staying hydrated is critical if you’re congested, and by heating your water and adding lemon, the heat will break up congestion quickly while the high vitamin C content of the lemon will help your body fight off infection. The juice of roughly one large lemon provides you with 31% of your daily recommended value of vitamin C! Try having a glass of hot lemon water with the juice of one lemon three times a day. 

If lemon water isn’t your thing, try squeezing lemon over steamed broccoli, another incredibly rich source of vitamin C. Eating the right foods will supercharge the immune system and help your body fight off that persistent cough. Tip: Pressure cooking broccoli will preserve 90% of its vitamin C content!

Just add salt:

We all know a swim in the salty ocean can have your nose run and clearing congestion. Only downside, who wants to go swimming in the freezing winter weather. Solution; salt therapy! 

By sitting in the Salts of the Earth salt rooms you will be exposed to a dry salt aerosol. The size of the microscopic salt particles enables it to be inhaled deep down into your lungs, lining the walls of your airways and lungs and promoting muco-ciliary clearance. It does this by gently stimulating the body’s natural action of cilia movement in the respiratory system working as “gentle brush” to clean the airways of mucus, allergens and other foreign substances that often accompany cold and flu.

Additionally, the sodium chloride aka “salt” changes the consistency of mucus in the lungs and airways so that it is thinner and less sticky – therefore making it easier to expel clearing congestion and mucus in the chest.

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After the horrific events of the 2016 thunderstorm asthma attack in Melbourne, it is more important then ever for asthma and allergy suffers to be vigilant about preventing an attack in the future. Here are some things you should know about a thunderstorm asthma and some quick tips about what you can do to make sure you are always prepared:

What is and what causes a thunderstorm asthma?

Thunderstorm asthma itself is the perfect storm. Research suggests that thunderstorm asthma is mostly triggered by an exceptional type of thunderstorm that causes grass pollen grains to be swept up into the clouds as the storm forms. When the grass pollen absorb moisture, they burst open and release large amounts of smaller allergen particles. One pollen grain can release up to 700 of these smaller particles. These particles are so small that they can be breathed deeply into the lungs triggering swelling and narrowing in the small airways in the lung. The storm then carries these particles down to ground level, creating an atmosphere full of potential asthma triggers.

Who is affected by a thunderstorm asthma?

Despite being called an asthma storm, anyone can be affected, even if you don’t have a history of asthma. People with hay fever and pollen allergies are also at risk of allergic reactions that can cause their airways to contract. This is due to the mass quantities of allergenic particles from pollen and especially grass particles that are swept up and can therefore reach deep into the lungs if inhaled.

How to prepare for thunderstorm asthma.

We may not be able to predict the next thunderstorm asthma, but there are a number of things you can do to prepare.

• Make sure your asthma action plan is up to date: If your asthma is triggered by pollens, and is worse in the spring and summer when hay fever is active, make sure you have your action plan regularly reviewed, so that in the case of worsening symptoms, you can take early and immediate action to prevent or reduce the severity of an asthma attack.

• Prevention is better then control: If your asthma is poorly controlled you will be more at risk of an asthma attack. Make sure you are using your preventer medication regularly, as directed by your doctor. Regular salt therapy is also a great prevention therapy to help keep your airways clear and cleansed of pollen and pollutants that may trigger asthma and hay fever.

• Follow the pollen count. Make sure you stay informed of the daily weather and pollen count. Following the pollen counts will help you be prepared and avoid exposure as much as possible.

• Stay inside. Around the time of thunderstorms, and on windy and high-pollen count days, limit your exposure by staying inside with the windows and doors shut.

Remember to always carry your reliever medication with you, even when you’re feeling well and if you have difficulty breathing, call an ambulance immediately.

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Gather the blankets. Prepare the fire. Boil the kettle. Winter is coming.

For Asthma sufferers, this presents a problem. Why? Two big reasons. First, a lot more time is spent indoors, where there is dust, dustmites, pet hair, mould, and other triggers. Secondly, it’s cold outside’.

So how can you fight the winter wheezies? Here’s a few tips:

1. Keep your house clean.

Don’t worry, we’re not going to come over and judge you. But do be careful of mould in the damp season of winter. Keep the exhaust fan on when you’re having a shower or cooking or using the dishwasher, because mould loves a steam sauna more than anyone. Also check the seals on your windows and make sure they are keeping dry.

2. Put Fluffy in the laundry.

Your pets may be cute and snuggly at night-time, but limiting the amount of pet hair in your bedroom may help with your asthma. With all the cuddly nights spent in bed during the winter months, you want that room to be as allergy-free as possible… so maybe try to keep the pets away.

3. Wash your hands.

Catching a cold or flu is bad for anyone, but if you have asthma, it can make life really annoying. Keep your hands clean this flu season and avoid those pesky co-workers who are sniffling at their desks. Soap, hand sanitiser, soap, hand sanitiser, soap, hand sanitiser… repeat until forever.

4. Salt therapy.

Try salt therapy this winter may help alleviate asthma symptoms. You relax in a comfy chair in a calming room, while pharmaceutical-grade salt is pumped through the air. The salt can help to relieve the lungs of pollutants and encourage expulsion of fluid and congestion, while opening up the airways to increase oxygen intake. The increased lung capacity may even make asthma medication (like Ventolin) more effective.

5. Rug up.

Scarves. Beanies. Jumpers. Jackets. Gloves. Legwarmers. Thermals. Ponchos. Dressing gowns. Blankets. Make sure you stay warm out there to keep your chest feeling happy and loose. You’ll be wearing so many layers people might mistake you for a fluffy warm mountain, but you’ll feel great.

Best of luck to all of our tight-chested friends out there. May your breathing be deep, your body be warm, your lungs be clear, and your pillows allergen-free. Happy winter, friends!

The post Is winter triggering your Asthma? appeared first on Salts of the Earth.

You might have seen it online, or caught a glimpse on one of the morning shows. Perhaps you’ve had a friend with newly-glowing skin telling you about its’ benefits. Or perhaps you haven’t heard the word at all. You better catch up, then.

Everyone is talking about Salts of the Earth, the salt therapy centres popping up in metropolitan areas around Australia. From Megan Gale to Luke Hodge, Australia’s finest are hooked.

Before we show you just what people are saying about salt therapy, here’s a quick run-down of the process. You sit in a reclining massage chair in a quiet, relaxing room for 45 minutes, while breathing in the pharmaceutical grade salt being pumped through the air.

That’s it.

The properties of the natural salt bring a wealth of health benefits, from clearer sinuses to better breathing, from glowing skin to improved sleep.

So what are people saying about it?

Erin Nicholson, a client on the Intensive Management Plan, says “for 5 weeks I was struggling with sinusitis. I was blocked up, had pain in my ears, nose and throat. I tried salt therapy for 5 days straight and I cannot believe the change. My pressure headaches have gone and no pain in my ears. I can breathe better and I’m sleeping much better as well! I loved the salt therapy and would definitely recommend having a go at it.”

And don’t forget about the kiddies.

“My daughter Jasmine, who is 8 years old, has had a consistent cough for about 9 months now.” Says Meegan George on a Child Management Plan. “I turned to Salts of the Earth as Jasmine mentioned to me that she had a salt lamp in her school room that helped minimize her cough. The results have been amazing. After Jasmine’s first session and a salt lamp in her room I saw a marked reduction in her coughing, she was sleeping better and felt better too! I also love going with Jasmine to Salts of the Earth as I find the sessions very relaxing – a great treat for us busy parents!! The staff are wonderful and very welcoming, especially to children. I would recommend Salts of the Earth to anyone with respiratory issues.”

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That’s right, salt lamps aren’t just for hippies anymore. In fact, the popularity of salt lamps is exploding. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing in the right décor (think ‘scandinavian simplicity’ rather than ‘new-age witchcraft crystal shop’…), they actually manage to clean the air around them, bringing great benefits to sufferers of hay fever.
It all sounds a bit sci-fi, but the salt rock manages to clean the air by attracting the water molecules from the atmosphere around it, including any particles. As the salt lamp heats up, the water is released back into the air, but the particles are trapped.

Effectively, the clever little salt lamp is cleaning the air of dust, pollen, smoke particles, animal dander and other allergens. Any human body will appreciate cleaner air, but none more so than hay fever sufferers. Less pollen = less sneezing.
By placing a lamp or two in the rooms used most, sufferers may find an improvement in their hay fever symptoms at home in just a couple of weeks. If combined with regular salt therapy, there may be a significant reduction in symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and coughing.
If you or your loved ones suffer from hay fever, sneak a salt lamp into the bedroom or living room, or even the office. Cleaner air means cleaner airways. And a salty sinus? What a relief.

The post Breathe easy with a salt lamp appeared first on Salts of the Earth.

1. One nostril.
This will sound crazy, but it works. Close your eyes (when you’ve finished reading this entire article, of course) and concentrate on breathing in one nostril, and out the other. At first, you can gently use one hand to guide it, by resting the middle three fingertips on your forehead, and using your thumb and pinkie finger to alternate nostrils. Breathe in through one, out through the other. Repeat several times, then remove your hand, and focus hard on continuing the same flow. You can change the pattern and alternation until you find one that calms you down.

2. Man-spread.
Sit right on the edge of a chair, with your feet as wide apart as possible (like the infamous man-spread). Lean forward, resting your elbows on your knees, with your spine relaxed, but not slumped. Breathe deeply into your belly. Let it out slowly. Concentrate on filling up your diaphragm. Continue until your body feels more relaxed. NB: This may be hard to do in a tight skirt. Alternatively, stand with your back against a wall, completely flat and pressing into the wall as much as possible. Bend your knees if you need to. Repeat the breathing exercise.

3. Use some music.
Put on a song that you find relaxing. It can be anything from classical music to heavy metal – we won’t judge you. It doesn’t need to be loud (don’t annoy your colleagues), it can even be with headphones. Now sit back, and breathe in time to the music. In for 8 counts, then out for 8 counts. In for 8, out for 8. Adjust the timing based on the speed of the song – you don’t want to be hyperventilating or holding your breath until you faint, obviously – but just concentrate on the steadiness of your breath.

4. Salty air.
We’ve saved the most important for last. Book in a salt therapy session. If you are stressed, your body is already in need of one. It’s heaven for an anxious body – a peaceful room with comfortable massage chairs and soft lighting, and pharmaceutical-grade salt pumping through the air. The salt has natural properties that help the lungs absorb more oxygen, making for easier function throughout the day. Not to mention it can aid with better sleep, better congestion, better skin, and better well-being. And all you have to do is sit there.
If you’re feeling stressed, give yourself a break as soon as possible. Take some deep breaths, book in for some relaxing salt therapy, and take care of yourself. You only get one you.

The post Focus better with 4 breathing exercises appeared first on Salts of the Earth.

Stress is a big problem amongst us all in 2016. Anxiety and depression sufferers have increased dramatically over the past decade, often leading back to the amount of stress in our daily lives. So, what can we do to try and minimise our stress levels, before we reach boiling point?
Importantly, if you feel like you can’t cope with your current levels of stress, you should seek some help from your doctor or a counsellor. But if your stress levels feel manageable most of the time, here are a few tips to help you get your zen back.

1. A good old-fashioned stretch.
If you don’t have the time or patience for a yoga class (and many of us don’t), that’s fine. But you should still take a moment for a good stretch. Reach up to the sky and have a biiiig yawn. Lean over to each side and stretch the sides of your rib cage a few times. Lift your leg up and put it behind your head (just kidding. Unless you can, in which case… wow!). Just spend five minutes like a house cat, stretching your body in which ever direction feels good.

2. Water, water, water.
We know, we know. Everyone is well aware of the 8 glasses a day rule. But did you know that being dehydrated by just two glasses can increase your cortisol (stress hormone) levels? And if you’re stressed a lot, you’re more likely to be dehydrated, because your heart level is up anyway. It’s a vicious circle. Quick. Fill that glass up, pronto.

3. Hug a dog.
This may be a difficult tip to follow if you are in the office, and/or do not have a dog, but go out and find one, STAT. Studies show that playtime with a pet can reduce stress levels dramatically. If you don’t have a dog, take a quick stroll to your local café, find a stranger with a pooch, and give it a ninja-fast hug when the owner isn’t looking. Actually, that sounds kind of stressful…. Just get a pet.

4. Get salty.
Take some time to unwind at a salt therapy centre, which has many benefits for your body and your mind. Basically, you sit in a big, comfy massage chair (yesss), deep-breathing while healthy salt particles are pumped through the air, and watch your stresses get carried away on a cloud of zen.

So there you go. If you want to breathe a little more freely, follow our tips to combat stress. And stretch in a salt-cave while drinking water with a stray dog. Now that’s relaxing.

The post Steps to feeling less stressed appeared first on Salts of the Earth.

Salt and vinegar chips. Salted caramel. Salt and pepper calamari.

There are so many delicious foods that involve salt, and yet we have been taught to avoid it, with health-nuts striving to cut sodium out of their diet altogether. In some ways, this is a good idea; table salt (which is 97% chemically produced Sodium Chloride, and 3% tables. Just kidding. But not about the chemically produced 97%…) is definitely not good for the ol’ body. It’s bleached, devoid of all nutrients, and the scary truth is; if you put a saltwater fish in a tank of fresh water mixed with table salt, they will die. And not from out of sheer pleasure. Table salt = bad news.

But here is the good news. You can still eat salt. Just make it GOOD salt.

When table salt was linked to a whole bunch of health problems – heart troubles, kidney problems, stroke – the whole concept of salt got a bad name. But good salt, such as pure Himalayan salt, brings a wealth of essential minerals and nutrients to the body. By using a bit of quality salt in cooking, the necessary sodium levels in the blood stream can be restored, helping with blood pressure, brain function, sleep health, kidney function, irregular heart beat, even cellulite.

CELLULITE, PEOPLE. After all these years of thinking we had to cut out salt to get rid of thigh dimples, it turns out, we might actually need to cut it back in.

Himalayan salt is the purest, most beneficial salt available, forming crystals for 200 million years in the Himalayan ranges. Sound like a treasure from a Disney movie? It sure does. And when you consider the 84 minerals available in a teaspoon of the Himalayan salt, you’ll know why.

So next time you’re standing over the stove, think about adding a pinch of salt. But leave the table salt in the cupboard. The laundry cupboard. Use it for cleaning and scrubbing, because that’s about all it’s good for. Instead, reach for a delicious sprinkle of Himalayan salt, and let your body absorb 200 million years of good health.

Salty high-five.

The post What salt is good for you? appeared first on Salts of the Earth.

Salt is the new superhero. Not only because it tastes delicious when sprinkled on a chip, but because of the wealth of health benefits it can bring when you breathe it into your lungs.

Do you remember how your Grandma used to always recommend a ‘good dose of ocean air’ when you had a cold? That old wives’ tale t that salty air can clear the airways is not just an old tale. It’s the truth. Regular salt therapy sessions have an anti-inflammatory effect on swelling in the respiratory tract, and assist to break up mucous and toxins, creating more room for inhaling oxygen. Important, right? Right.

By breaking down the phlegm and build-up in the lungs, salt therapy brings a range of healthy, glow-y benefits, which the regulars will attest to (INSERT LINK). Are you a sports player? Improved breathing means improved performance. Does your partner keep you awake with snoring? Get them into salt therapy sessions. Allergies or asthma? Just like a concentrated dose of ocean air, salt therapy can assist respiratory conditions in a safe, organic, non-invasive way.

Not only is it great for the airways , salt does wonders for the skin as well. The dry salt aerosol particles that are pumped into the salt therapy room can assist with a range of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. The anti-inflamatory properties of the salt helps to cleanse the skin and reduce irritation, making it less susceptible to itchiness and infection.

With regular salt therapy sessions, you will discover a healthier, stronger you. Clients have found they are sleeping better, breathing better during exercise, have improved stress levels and overall improvement in their health, and showing off radiant, glowing skin.

And if you don’t believe us, ask some of the clients who have tried. From Megan Gale to Zoe Foster-Blake to high-profile athletes, everyone is singing the praises of salt.

Find yourself a salt therapy session today. It’s only natural.

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