Last Updated on March 16, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev
Mined from the Punjab region of Pakistan, Himalayan salt is a rock salt that often has a pinkish tint as a result of some mineral impurities. Although being of primary use as a food additive in the form of table salt, it can also be used as a material for cooking and food presentation, decorative lamps, and spa treatments. If you’re thinking of what to add to your healthy diet, you can choose this.
Benefits of Himalayan Salt
A Brief History
According to local legend, the discovery of the Himalayan salt has been traced to the army of Alexander the Great. Even so, the initial records of mining have been from the Janjua people in the 1200s.
Salt, for the most part, is mined at the Khewra Salt Mine in Khewra, Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan, that is located in the foothills of the Salt Range hill system in the Punjab province of Pakistan to the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is primarily exported in bulk, and processed in other countries for the consumer market.
Health Benefits of Himalayan Salt
There are several claims that state its health benefits and therapeutic effects apart from being used to flavour food. Here we will point out a few of those major health benefits of Himalayan salt:
1. Healthy Detoxification
Drinking water with a certain amount of Himalayan salt added first thing in the morning, aids in balancing of pH levels in the body, it helps to flush out toxins and is also said to improve energy levels while keeping you well-hydrated throughout the day. Also, it provides you with the necessary sodium to kick start your nerve impulses.
To prove it on a scientific level, there are negatively charged ions in pure salt along with trace minerals that enter into the cells and pull toxins from them.
2. Improves Digestion
While the beginning of digestion actually takes place in the mouth, Himalayan salt helps by activating your salivary glands that release amylase (an enzyme that helps digest carbs).
In the next step occurring in the stomach, it stimulates hydrochloric acid along with an enzyme that digests protein and continues in helping the breakdown of food thus highly improving digestion.
3. Lowers Blood Pressure and Balances Hormones
An intake of Himalayan salt every day can ensure a thorough flow of fluids in the body. A well- maintained balance of minerals and hormones helps in enhancing your insulin sensitivity while preventing instant blood sugar spikes.
4. Improves Sleep
Himalayan salts have a calming effect on your response to stress. Stress produces cortisol, which blocks the flow of melatonin, the sleep hormone. But when your stress response is controlled, your body may produce melatonin which indicates the brain it’s time for bed.
5. Bath Soak
By adding it to slightly warm water your skin can soak up all the minerals present in Himalayan salt through the process of dermal absorption. The minerals provide different benefits while rejuvenating your skin.
The elements present have amazing properties such as fighting acne, preventing scarring and keeping your skin smooth.
There are also healing properties such as soothing cramped muscles and soft tissues.
6. Strengthens Teeth
It is known that gargling with pink Himalayan saltwater on a regular basis can be of help in eliminating bacteria from the teeth and gums. This in turn helps in preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar.
Another well-known fact is how salt can help in whitening the teeth. Mixing a teaspoon of Himalayan salt with warm water and using it as a mouthwash can give you shiny white, healthy-looking teeth in time.
7. Reduces Signs of Aging
As it maintains pH while detoxifying the body of acidic waste that causes degeneration, Himalayan salt can assist in visibly reducing the signs of ageing. The essential minerals work in replenishing vital electrolytes and steadily reverse fatigue or mental fogginess. It also regulates your sleep by supporting and balancing blood sugar and hormonal levels.
8. Increases Libido
The problem of impaired libido can be quite common to both men and women after an age of 40 as with old age the body starts slowing down and the body parts begin showing signs of getting sedated.
The testosterone is a sex hormone found in the male testes and female ovaries that produces desire. With increasing age, testosterone is also produced in a lesser quantity. This results in affecting the physical and mental health, especially the libido.
Scientists have concluded that sodium chloride in salt can stimulate the production of testosterone. However since table salt contains more than necessary levels of sodium chloride, it cannot be used in high doses. A safer and wiser choice then becomes using Himalayan salt as the sodium chloride amount in it is the only ¼ of normal salt.
Also, the minerals in Himalayan salts mainly, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, Phosphorus, will help to purify the body and improve the reproductive function effectively.
9. Purifies Air (Salt Lamps)
Himalayan salt lamps are crystals carved from amber-coloured rock salt, hollowed out to fit a light bulb inside. When you light them, they give out a warm, reddish-pink glow.
Sellers of these decorative pieces say they do more than light up a room. They claim the lamps can boost mood, improve sleep, ease allergies, help people with asthma breathe better, and clean the air, among other benefits.
Being a symbol to get rid of negative energy is not only aesthetically pleasing but they also serve as air-purifiers. While attracting the moisture from the air, the warm surface makes water evaporate quickly. Neutralization occurs as this process of evaporation forms negative reacting ions that react with the dust, dirt particles which carry a positive charge.
10. Supports Respiratory Health
Salt therapy is a process that makes use of pure Himalayan salt to treat respiratory diseases. Once this salt is inhaled, the particles make their way through the respiratory system and the antibacterial and antimicrobial aspects of salt work on cleaning your lungs and sinuses.
Seasonal allergies and chest congestion can also be treated with the help of salt therapy.
Conclusion
Replacing your regular table salt with Himalayan salt may work wonders for your overall health and skin. The benefits have been well observed and found effective by many people. It all comes down on how you choose to use and take advantage of it. Hope this natural healer will be as useful to you as to many others.
