/oss/taxonomy/term/2557/all en /oss/article/health-you-asked/what-himalayan-salt <p>In Roman times slaves were used to mine salt. It was not a pleasant chore. But today in the Ukraine some people willingly spend several hours a day in a salt mine. They are not there, though, to mine salt. They are there to treat their asthma or other pulmonary problem. “Speleotherapy” is based on the supposed therapeutic effects of breathing air laden with negative ions which supposedly originate from salt and fill the air in the subterranean cavern. A couple of “supposedlies” there. There actually are some studies that show the air purification capabilities of negative ions.</p> Fri, 16 Nov 2012 02:41:05 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1786 at /oss