KEMPTVILLE - Young entrepreneur Karen Quigley is building a business on salt's therapeutic benefits.

Saltastic, the first halotherapy centre of its kind in Kemptville, has a steadily growing client list from throughout Eastern Ontario. The spa-like atmosphere offers three salt room experiences, including a children's room with play materials. Salt therapy uses heated micro-particles of pure pharmaceutical salt dispersed into the air in a controlled environment.

"We've had people say 'thank you so much for opening this here'," says Karen, who first tried halotherapy in Florida and found it helped her sinusitis. She wanted to bring its healing benefits to her own community and this region.

"I wanted to share it because it helped me so much. People are always amazed. They're in awe of how salt can do so much and has so many healing benefits," says Karen.

Salt is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory substance. Himalayan salt therapy helps alleviate symptoms associated with respiratory issues, including allergies, colds and coughs, asthma, sinusitis, ear infections, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis and bronchitis. Salt therapy boosts your immune system, helps with athletic performance/recovery, arthritis, joint pain and general wellness. Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne can also be kept under control. It has also been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

"It's relaxing to be in the salt room," says Karen. Salt therapy can be used as an all-natural, drug-free complement to traditional medicine.

Karen earned the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2018 from the Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre. She started her business with support from the Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation and Starter Company Plus.

At Saltastic you can also find So Well Himalayan salt-infused skin care products, tea, salt lamps and so much more.

Learn more about Saltastic by visiting their Facebook page, Instagram or website. Give them a call at 613-215-0644 or send them an email. The lounge/spa is located at 2727 County Road 43.