Halotherapy
/ˌheɪləˈθɛrəpi/noun
A treatment that uses salt or salt-infused air, especially in spa or wellness settings.
Did you know?The first element comes from Greek *hals*/*halos* meaning “salt,” the same ancient root behind words like halo and halite, while the second comes from Greek *therapeia* meaning “tending” or “treatment.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἅλς / ἁλός (hals / halos)
“salt”
Ancient Greek
Greek
θεραπεία (therapeia)
“attendance, service, treatment”
19th Century
English
halotherapy
“treatment involving salt or salt air”
20th Century
English
halotherapy
“a wellness or therapeutic practice using salt exposure”