Prepare to relax and recharge. Dr. Jenna Morcos is making the final touches on Charlotte's first salt cave, Salt + Souls in Plaza Midwood.

City Editor Maria, here. I'm feeling pretty refreshed (or should I say salty?), after speaking with Morcos inside the finished salt cave. I walked in slightly congested but came out completely clear and feeling great.

Morcos spent 25+ years as a pharmacist. After experiencing her first salt cave in Asheville — hey, AVLtoday — in 2015, she was instantly transformed.

"I just felt relaxed. I felt self-love. I felt like I was healing, I felt like I had perspectives about things, I felt supported," she explained.

The salt cave inside Salt + Souls boasts several thousand pounds of salt. | Photo by CLTtoday

After nearly 10 years revisiting the cave in Asheville and visiting Charlotte-area salt rooms, Morcos was inspired to open her own cave in the Queen City, complete with all her favorite touches, like mood lighting, salt-covered walls and flooring, and a tea room.

What about the health benefits? So glad you asked. Halotherapy can be traced to the mid-1800s and, according to the American Lung Association, is beneficial for your lungs, skin, and overall well-being.

"Salt is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal," explained Morcos. "It's antiviral and basically like a cleanse for your lungs. In addition to that, the salt landing on your skin will give the same benefits. So, conditions like eczema and rashes have been shown to improve."

Salt + Souls currently has pre-opening memberships available. Guests can book time in the community cave, private room, or salt booth + add massages. An exact opening date will be announced soon.

"I'm the original salty," laughed Morcos. "I wanted to create this because, surely, other people would like it too. But it wasn't really until I started to see people's excitement that I realized I'm not building this for me. I'm building this for other people."