Bura Project: Healing powers of bura on the Croatian island of Pag 365 days a year

(Photo credit: Katica Mustapić)

The Croatian island of Pag, known for its cheese, lamb, lace, and salt, also experiences a strong wind called bura. 

Bura is a natural phenomenon characterised by a strong and cold wind that can reach up to 80 km/h, and even up to 120 km/h on the Pag bridge. 

This wind creates a clear sky over the sea, dry air, and low temperature.

Kristina Alaburić from the Kissa association was inspired by this famous strong wind to start the “Bura” project, which promotes the impact of the bura on human health. 

(Photo credit: Katica Mustapić)

The project uses the benefits of bura through sports activities, workshops, and lectures on the island of Pag throughout the year.

“I decided on this project listening to the trends in tourism because the island of Pag offers something really special, namely we have a salt room 365 days on the island!,” Alaburić says. 

The salt room on the island provides clean air that is rich in negative ions, which can lead to psychophysical balance, improved concentration, and work ability. Also, the island’s climate, along with the gastronomic offer, sports facilities, workshops, and lectures, has great potential for extending the season on the island of Pag, especially in early spring and late autumn.

The project plans to launch health tourism and facilities for all age groups throughout the year by cooperating with the Tourist Board of the City of Pag, Solana Pag, Pag Sirana, and other business entities.

(Photo credit: Katica Mustapić)

“The “Bura” project includes a team of people, of whom I will single out the project managers, Mateja Olić and Ana Žunić,” Alaburić from the Kissa association tells us.

The dry saline aerosol on the island of Pag has many benefits for the respiratory system, including improving mucus removal, rehydrating the mucous membrane, reducing edema and improving microcirculation, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, and reducing inflammation. 

This method is beneficial for treating respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis in adults, and for treating asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, and allergies in children.

“Recently, we conducted an exercise experiment for our project at the salt room in Zadar, generously provided by Božena Bačić. After the bura, we also exercised outdoors at Fortica near the Paško bridge, taking advantage of the healing properties of the salty air, known throughout history. This is commonly referred to as salt therapy or halotherapy. Exercising in a salty room or in the fresh sea air can enhance circulation, provide therapeutic benefits to the respiratory tract, boost immunity, and benefit the entire body,” Kristina Alaburić said.

(Photo credit: Katica Mustapić)

Salt is composed of various elements, and each element plays an important role in our body. Let’s take a look at the functions of each element present in salt:

Sodium – it impacts the functionality of the heart and helps to maintain optimal blood pressure. It also improves the condition of the skin. The sodium ion plays an essential role in the transport of glucose and amino acids.

Potassium – it helps to lower blood pressure, prevent heart diseases, improve skin function, and has a diuretic effect that helps to cleanse the body of toxins. The potassium ion is necessary for cells for glucose metabolism, protein synthesis, and the activation of many enzymes.

Magnesium – it is an essential element that relieves the body from stress, relieves asthma attacks, reduces nervous tension, and relieves spasms.

Calcium – it provides support to the bone system, and it is necessary for the growth and health of bones and teeth. It strengthens the body’s resistance, has anti-allergic properties, is necessary for blood clotting, and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Iron – it is an essential element of hemoglobin protein, which is the most important component of red blood cells, erythrocytes, and serves as a carrier of oxygen from the lungs to all tissues. It prevents anemia, stimulates muscle work, improves concentration, and reduces susceptibility to infections.

Iodine – it is responsible for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which regulates our metabolism, growth, development, and body weight.

Lithium – it helps in the prevention of sclerosis, heart disease, and diabetes.

Selenium – it is an antioxidant that protects cells and tissues from damage caused by free radicals. It strengthens the immune system and protects against skin aging.

Copper – it improves metabolism, helps in the formation of hemoglobin in the blood, and facilitates the absorption of iron.

Manganese – it acts as an antioxidant, protecting against damage caused by dietary radicals.

Zinc – it participates in numerous body processes, such as bone growth and development.