On a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, in September 2010, Lisa and Scott Ramsey visited a manmade salt cave that was designed to mimic naturally occurring salt caves in Eastern Europe that are said to help relieve respiratory, circulatory and skin aliments, in an effort to help their youngest daughter, Leslie, who suffered from chronic sinus infections.

Impressed by what they experienced and also what they discovered through research, the Ramseys decided to transform Lisa’s 23-year salon business into a spa and wellness center, featuring Pennsylvania’s first salt cave. Early this year, the couple opened the Tranquility Salon and Wellness Center, in Carlisle

“We wanted to offer a place that could help people feel beautiful on the inside, as well as the outside,” says Lisa. “This was a perfect solution for us to promote the true essence of health, beauty and wellness.”

For the full-service salon, Ramsey was dedicated to finding a line of hair and skin products that met her strict criteria: natural, high quality and effective. Aveda met those standards, and she was approved to carry the line. “Aveda products are pure, healthy and beneficial,” explains Ramsey. “Most importantly, the quality is excellent—the products work.”

To design the cave, the Ramseys brought in the woman responsible for designing Vermont’s only salt cave, Margaret Smiechowski. The finished product is a 17-by-21-foot space, covered from floor to ceiling with salt. It is made up of more than 10 tons of salt imported from the Himalayas. According to Lisa, by using such large quantities of salt, a unique, healing microclimate with exceptional bacteriological cleanliness is achieved.

During salt therapy, patients sit in a comfortable chair in the cave for 45 minutes, listening to relaxing music and breathing normally. The stones made of salt crystals produce air that is saturated with negative ions, which are crucial for a healthy body, notes Lisa. These tiny salt particles are not only rich in negative ions, but also minerals and elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, bromine and iodine. The particles enter the respiratory system, reaching even the deepest parts of the lungs.

“The therapy improves the intake and supply of these irreplaceable elements necessary for good health, performance and overall fitness for all ages,” notes Lisa. “The treatment accelerates healing and helps our bodies get back into balance.”

Ailments such as infections of the respiration system, hypertension, colitis, ulcers, colon inflammation, asthma, lung diseases, skin diseases, ear infections, snoring and circulation illness are said to benefit greatly from the salt treatment, also known as halo therapy. At $15 for a 45-minute session, the treatment is affordable for most people. “We wanted to make it attainable, so that we can help as many people as we can,” explains Lisa. “Too many people are suffering, and they don’t have to.”

Leslie, can certainly attest to the benefits of the salt cave. She had suffered with chronic sinus infections for years—sometimes dealing with as many as three infections per month. Once they started building the salt cave, Leslie would spend hours breathing in the salt air. Then, on a pre-operative visit to her doctor, the surgery was cancelled.

“The doctor told us Leslie’s sinuses were completely different and there was no longer a need for her to even visit the doctor,” states a delighted Lisa. In the past eight months, Leslie has had a total of three sinus infections.

Although the salt cave is certainly a big draw at Tranquility, it’s not the only modality available. Dedicated to giving everyone that walks through the doors a memorable—and unique—experience, Tranquility offers a variety of services, including Reiki, ear candling, ion cleanse detox, Indian head massage and Indian therapy treatments, chakra massage, bamboo massage and salt cave massage. The wellness center also features an oxygen bar and offers nutritional counseling.

Lisa says their intention was always to offer the community alternative treatments that are unique, yet still provide a natural and holistic approach to wellness. It seems to be working. “The feedback we get from clients is so positive,” she comments. “For us, it makes everything worthwhile—that is our reward.”

Tranquility Salon and Wellness Center is located at 257 Penrose Pl., in Carlisle. For more information, call 717-218-8732 or visit TranquilitySalonAndWellnessCenter.com.