Halotherapy and Speleotherapy as Adjunctive Treatments for Respiratory Diseases: A Narrative Review with a Focus on Çankırı Salt Cave's Role in Health Tourism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21325/jotags.2025.1771Keywords:
Halotherapy, Speleotherapy, Health tourism, Çankırı salt caveAbstract
This study explores the role of halotherapy and speleotherapy as adjunctive treatments for respiratory diseases, with a particular focus on the Çankırı Salt Cave in Turkiye as a health tourism destination. Halotherapy and speleotherapy are natural therapies that harness salt-rich environments to treat conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. These therapies have gained increasing recognition for their therapeutic benefits, particularly in improving respiratory health. However, despite their growing popularity, there is limited research on their integration into health tourism in Turkiye. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the therapeutic potential of the Çankırı Salt Cave, a site historically known for its natural salt reserves and emerging as a prominent health tourism attraction. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study investigates the therapeutic effects of halotherapy and speleotherapy in managing respiratory diseases while evaluating the potential of the Çankırı Salt Cave in health tourism. The findings suggest that these therapies have substantial potential to contribute to regional development by promoting sustainable tourism, offering a unique blend of health benefits and cultural experiences. The study highlights the need for further scientific validation to strengthen the role of these treatments within health tourism and to promote their global acceptance in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the significance of incorporating natural treatment methods into health tourism strategies, thereby supporting both individual health outcomes and regional economic development.
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