Salt Escape, a new salt spa in Mumbai, has opened with a mission to help relieve the respiratory ailments of the polluted city's inhabitants.

The 2,300sq ft (214sq m) salt spa, owned by Lyla and Jamsheed Mehta, has three treatment rooms – a 350sq ft (33sq m) adults room, a 350sq ft childrens room, and a 350sq ft private therapy room.

The Mehtas opened Salt Escape after Jamsheed found relief from his chronic rhinitis through halotherapy, and thought others in Mumbai could benefit as well.

“In Mumbai, almost everyone is suffering from some respiratory issue of the other,” he said. “Bronchitis, COPD and other respiratory ailments are affecting so many people, and the number of cases of asthma in adults, and especially children, is alarming. Salt therapy is a natural, drug-free treatment that helps to relieve these uncomfortable symptoms.”

Designed by Neterwala-Aibara Interior Architects, the walls of each room at Salt Escape are packed with salt, as are the floors. Children have their own room with entertainment, including games, toys, books, puzzles and a TV.

“It’s great for children because there are no side effects to salt therapy, and the children won’t even realise that they are being treated, because they can enjoy themselves while breathing in the dry salt particles in our children’s salt room,” said Jamsheed Mehta.

In addition to respiratory problems, salt therapy also reportedly helps skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Spa Opportunities' sister publication, Spa Business Handbook, identified clean air as and up-and-coming trend for spas back in 2014.