For thousands of years, travelers have visited the Dead Sea for its healing properties, which stem from the high mineral content of its waters and low amounts of pollutants and allergens in its atmosphere. As an alternative to taking a long flight east, Amy and Michael Cameron have brought the healing power of the Dead Sea to La Jolla with their recent launch of The Salt Room La Jolla, a reproduction of a natural salt cave and its microclimate, which replicates the all-natural holistic healing experience of a trip to the Dead Sea itself. Halotherapy, or salt therapy, is believed to help relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions caused by asthma, allergies, bronchitis, COPD and cystic fibrosis, as well as skin diseases such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. “The benefits of salt therapy are numerous and the sessions are safe, drug free and 100 percent natural. The negative ionic charge found in the dry sale aerosol gives natural detoxifying properties,” said Amy Cameron, owner of The Salt Room La Jolla. “Salt therapy also promotes stress reduction, which can lower blood pressure and help with insomnia. It even helps prevent respiratory viruses, including the common cold and flu.” Cameron was inspired to open her own salt room after experiencing the tremendous health benefits of halotherapy in a salt room in Florida. “I knew right away that it was an amazing health alternative,” she said. “I’ve always loved La Jolla and knew this would be the perfect location because of its health-conscious community.” The natural health guru knows a thing or two about the importance of being mindful of her health in every aspect of her life. “I have worked in the natural health field for many years and teach yoga and meditation. Healthy living and breathing are so important to me,” she said. “In order to open my own salt room, I worked closely with professionals in Florida and Europe who study salt therapy and develop the devices for salt rooms.” What Cameron and husband Michael created in La Jolla was a reproduction of a natural 200-square-foot salt cave made with 3,000 pounds of Dead Sea salt right in the heart of the Village. To enhance the relaxing experience, clients are given a cup of tea before entering the salt room, which is complete with zero-gravity chairs, crisp, clean air, softly lit colors emanating from the salt-laden walls and soft music. “For 45 minutes, you get to relax, meditate or fall asleep and shut out the world. During this time, your body can rest and heal. At the end of 45 minutes, the music is turned off, signaling the end of your session,” she said. According to Cameron, salt therapy is not a new form of natural therapy. In fact, it has been used for many hundreds of years, dating back to the days of Herod the Great in biblical times. It is, however, relatively new to the United States. “There are only 30 salt rooms in the U.S., but there are 30,000 in the world,” she explained. “Salt mines and caves are naturally formed and people have been visiting them for hundreds of years to heal respiratory issues and skin conditions.” The Salt Room La Jolla also carries a wide range of natural health products, including an organic skin care line, organic teas, salt inhalers, neti-pots, Himalayan salt lamps and natural, organic hand cut mineral soaps, scrubs and bath salts made with Dead Sea salt. Now offering halo massage — which combines the benefits of salt therapy with a therapeutic massage — the Salt Room La Jolla is offering a 45-minute halo massage for $115. Guests can also mention the company’s website and receive 20 percent off a halotherapy session. The Salt Room La Jolla is located at 7509 Draper Ave., Ste. A. For more information, visit www.saltroomlajolla.com or call (858) 456-3900.