About Himalayan Salt
Himalayan Salt is a type of salt that is mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Punjab region of Pakistan. It has a distinctive soft pink hue and is considered one of the purest forms of salt available.
Himalayan Salt (also called Tibetan salt) is a fossilized sea salt that formed from marine deposits over 250 million years ago. In its most prized form, this salt is hand-mined and unrefined, and still contains some remnants of ancient sea life. This pink salt is mostly sold on the gourmet and health food markets, valued for the trace minerals that give it that rosy color. Most of the pink salt we see comes from the Himalayan foothills in Pakistan. Himalayan salt has a tradition of metaphysical use as well, though it’s all either very general or recent. All salts are used in purification, and many people like to use the Himalayan kind as a bath salt or massage stone. This salt offers numerous health benefits and is commonly used for cooking, as well as for its therapeutic properties. Salts are protective, too, with different types varying in their “specialty.” Himalayan pink salt is especially suitable for protecting the home and family.
The History of Himalayan Salt
The history of Himalayan Salt dates back thousands of years. The salt deposits in the Khewra Salt Mine were formed millions of years ago when the area was covered by a prehistoric sea. Alexander the Great discovered the salt during his conquest of the region in 326 BC. Since then, the salt has been utilized by various civilizations for its healing properties and as a valuable trade commodity. Today, Himalayan Salt remains highly sought after for its unique qualities and finds wide usage in various industries, including culinary, wellness, and home decor.
Metaphysical Properties
Himalayan Salt is also known as ‘Pink Halite’ and yes, it is a form of (edible) crystal. It has many metaphysical properties and benefits.
Himalayan Crystal Mineral Salt has very similar properties to Rose Quartz and is an excellent crystal for love especially self-love. It not only helps one to experience self-love, but also, to take action and do things that self-love implies, for example; finding sense of purpose, to live a healthier lifestyle, learning to say ‘no’, or to take time for personal recreation and enjoyment.
For centuries pure salt has been used for protection; protection from evil, especially protection in and around the home. Salt is also used for purification, cleansing and dispelling negativity in many magical and traditional rituals. Pure Salts are also used to release attachments, including emotional attachments. It is recommended that those who work in environments of negativity or indirect communication, keep a piece of Pink Halite (Himalayan Salt) on their desk or nearby – in the form of a lamp is best. Himalayan crystal Mineral Salt has gentle, but strong grounding and centering energies and is said to bring abundance and prosperity into a home.
Undoubtedly, Himalayan pink salt is much more than just a flavorful seasoning. It can help to promote better health, including improved digestion, improved circulation, and better hydration. It can also help to reduce stress, improve mood, and even support bone health. If you're looking for a way to add flavor to your food while also improving your health, Himalayan pink salt is definitely worth considering.
Common properties of Himalayan salt
Removes psychic debris from your energy body
Assists you in releasing that which no longer serves you
Promotes energetic cleansing and purification
Enhances feelings of peace and calming
Increases feelings of happiness
Encourages rest and relaxation
Grounding Energy
Heart Opening
Fosters Self Love
Encourages Setting Boundaries
Encourages Healthy Living
The Health Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt:
Full of Nutrients and Minerals
The pink hue of this salt is due to its high mineral content, which includes calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron. These minerals are essential for our bodies to function properly and can help to improve overall health. The minerals in Himalayan pink salt are thought to help regulate blood pressure, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation.
Detoxify Skin
One of the most notable health benefits of Himalayan pink salt is its ability to help detoxify the body and soften the skin. This special type of salt has a unique combination of minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium, that help to stimulate circulation and detoxify the body. As a result, it can help to flush out toxins, reduce puffiness and bloating, and help keep your skin looking soft and healthy.
Salt has antimicrobial properties, which may make it beneficial for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema.
Aids Weight Loss by Expelling Excess Water from the Cells
The mineral content of this salt helps to expel excess water from the cells, which can help to reduce bloating and water retention. This can help to reduce overall body weight and can even help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Helps in the Management of Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are a common issue that can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and muscle fatigue. Himalayan pink salt helps to alleviate muscle cramps by providing a natural source of electrolytes that can help restore balance in the body. It also contains magnesium, which helps to relax muscles and reduce the frequency of cramping.
Enhances Blood Circulation
Improved blood circulation is essential for a healthy body. It helps to keep your organs functioning properly and can even reduce the risk of heart disease. Himalayan pink salt contains trace amounts of iron, which helps to increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. This can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other illnesses associated with poor blood circulation.
Himalayan Salt can aid Hydration
Want a great post-workout hack? Drink some sea salt and lemon water.
The average adult body is approximately 65 percent water. If we don’t drink the 64 ounces or so of water we all need a day (as most of us don’t), our bodies feel it. If the body’s water content drops by as little as 2 percent, we will feel fatigued.
How can sea salt and lemon water help? The same way popular sports drinks do. Essentially, when we sweat or workout, we lose minerals, or electrolytes. Drinking water with a pinch of mineral-rich Himalayan salt after a workout can help you regain them and, in turn, your energy and hydration.
Improves Digestion
Himalayan salt’s rich mineral content helps balance your body’s pH levels. When our pH levels are balanced, our bodies have better immunity and are better able to process and digest food.
Respiratory Diseases
Pink Himalayan salt is the purest variety of salt as it contains no chemicals or toxins. It possesses about 84 minerals that can be absorbed easily by the body due to their small molecular size. Pink Himalayan salt was used by ancient Greeks for clearing airways and improving breathing. Himalayan salt lamps are being used to remove dust, pollen, smoke, and other contaminants that could increase the risk of respiratory problems.
Himalayan salt inhalers can help cleanse the respiratory system and may relieve symptoms of asthma, hay fever, and allergies. Pink Himalayan salt might reduce symptoms of conditions like sinus infections and asthma.
Sound Sleep
Due to its high mineral content, Himalayan pink salt may help you get sound sleep. A diet low in sodium can lead to irregular and disturbed sleep patterns. A hormone called cortisol is produced in response to stress. Cortisol can obstruct the flow of melatonin which may help the sleep hormone. Pink Himalayan salt lamps and inhalers might promote peaceful sleep by reducing stress.
Ways to incorporate Himalayan salt into your life
Himalayan Salt Lamps
Himalayan Salt Lamps use an ancient form of salt and are said to protect against positive ions in our indoor spaces (from electronic devices). Positive ions have been associated with low energy levels and depression in humans. Some studies suggest that these ions can boost serotonin and alleviate symptoms of depression. The idea behind using salt lamps to combat these ions is that the salt attracts moisture, which the warm bulb or candle inside transforms into negative ions that neutralize the positive (unhealthy) ones. But some basic research has us concluding that most credible sources agree that salt lamps don’t actually release a large enough number of negative ions to make this claim plausible. However, the warm colors and natural glow of the lamps can be a natural mood enhancer.
Pink Himalayan salt lamps purify our air. Himalayan salt isn’t just for eating. Holistic medical practitioners tout Himalayan salt lamps for their ability to purify indoor air, reduce allergies and improve your overall well-being. Salt is naturally hygroscopic, which means that it attracts water to its surface. The light from the Himalayan lamp causes the water absorbed by it to evaporate quickly. So although there are few studies on Himalayan salt lamps, it makes sense that they would help with mold reduction and allergies. An easy way to improve our mood and well-being.
In addition to purifying the air, the glow Himalayan salt lamps produce is a great antithesis to all of the devices we tend to look at just before we go to sleep.
A growing body of research shows that exposing ourselves to “blue light,” the kind that radiates from our phones, computers and tablets, as we are trying to wind down winds us up.
Replacing Regular Table Salt
The most prominent use for Himalayan Salt is on food. It is a phenomenal replacement to the basic table salt for several reasons. Basic table salt has been tested and shown that over 90% of them have trace amounts of micro plastics that were too small to be filtered out. Consuming plastic can be a causation of illness including cancer. Replacing it with ancient Himalayan salt that has not been touched by the modern world is beneficial especially because this ancient salt contains over 84 trace minerals that boost immunity, hydration, and overall health.
Soak your feet in it
Pink Himalayan salt can help your skin retain moisture, which makes it an ideal ingredient for a spa-like soak. Treat your feet by soaking them in warm water saturated with the salt (think 1/8 cup of pink Himalayan salt per gallon of water), adding magnesium flakes if desired. This can help relieve painful, tired feet after a long day. In general, combining magnesium flakes with pink Himalayan salt allows for better absorption of the minerals, and it can help you hydrate your skin all over.
Warm Baths
Taking any kind of bath can be a relaxing experience. Bathing in warm water for 10 minutes can reduce fatigue, stress, and pain and increase feelings of contentment and emotional health.
Himalayan salt is able to generate negative ions in the air, creating the type of calming effect many people experience on a saltwater beach.
Facial Spray
Get little bursts of bliss throughout your day with this easy DIY facial spray: In an 8-oz spray bottle, mix 1 Tbsp pink Himalayan salt and 1 tsp magnesium flakes with 1 cup warm distilled water, then add 3 to 5 drops essential oil such as lavender, mint, or eucalyptus. Spritz on your face or body throughout the day, massaging into the skin as needed.
Scrub your Body
The exfoliating texture of pink Himalayan salt will leave you with silky soft skin. As a bonus, regular exfoliation can actually boost your production of collagen, the protein that keeps skin smooth.Try this DIY body scrub from Taddiken: Combine 1 cup fine- or medium-grain pink Himalayan salt, ¼ cup olive oil, and 10 drops essential oil. Wet skin, then apply scrub in circular motions, avoiding broken skin, to remove dead skin cells.
Boost your electrolytes
Skip the Gatorade—a Himalayan salt elixir is a more natural way to help restore electrolyte levels when they’re low. Combine 2 cups purified water, 1/2 cup fresh orange or lemon juice, 1/4 tsp pink Himalayan salt, and 1 Tbsp honey. This can be beneficial for those who are exercising a lot, or for someone who has a viral illness like cold or flu.
Soothe a sore throat
Mom was right when she told you to gargle saltwater to soothe a sore throat. Although it’s not a cure-all for immediate relief, saltwater can help kill bacteria, loosen mucus, and ease pain.Just mix 1/2 teaspoon of finely ground pink Himalayan salt with a cup of warm water and gargle.
Bliss out in a Himalayan salt room
You may notice that more spas are offering Himalayan salt rooms, where you zone out in a man-made salt cave. Some experts believe it may relieve symptoms of COPD or asthma.
