Salt is often viewed as something that is used just to add taste to food. However, there is much more to the Himalayan salt that meets the eye. This natural resource is found in abundance in the Himalayan Salt Range. Initiating our discussion, let us have a detailed look into the various aspects that enhance the importance of natural salt.
Discovered in the Ancient Ages
The history of rock salt is quite an interesting one as it goes approximately 8000 years back. It is known that the first extracts were discovered in Northern China in the same period. However, many historians also mention that the initial harvests of salt were first seen in Romania.
Moreover, it was in 326 B.C when Alexander was on his quest to conquer the world when the salt licks were discovered. It was discovered when the horses alongside the military troops started to lick rocks instead of grazing grass. It was at that time that people realized the importance of natural rock salt. Today we call it Himalayan Lick Salt or Salt Licks.
How is Himalayan Rock Salt Different?
The natural rock salt found in the Himalayan Salt Range differs from the normal table salt in number of ways.
Purity
Firstly, there is a considerable difference in the level of purity between the two. The normal table salt is processed in a number of ways and heated at around 1200 degrees in order to be dried. Heating at such an immense temperature almost kills the nutrients found in the natural salt. In addition to that, the Himalayan salt includes the elements like magnesium and iodine that are quite beneficial for the human body. On the contrary, the Himalayan pink salt is naturally preserved by a well-kept tectonic pressure that protects the reserves from impurities.
Beneficial for Human Health
Apart from it being the purest form of natural salt, the Himalayan rock salt also has a healthy impact on the human body. It is a lesser known fact that the natural salt is beneficial for health in a number of ways. Moving further, let us have a look at some of the prominent advantages of salt related to health.
MODERN SCIENCE VIEW Yes, Himalayan salt helps prevent acid reflux by balancing and regulating the pH of the body. It also has rich iron content due to which it manages heartburn, bloating and flatulence[14-16].
AYURVEDIC VIEW Yes, Himalayan salt might help prevent acid reflux which occurs because of weak digestion. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer), Pachan (digestion) and Sita (cold) properties. It helps to maintain a good digestion and give a cooling effect, thus reducing acid reflux. Air Purifier
The Himalayan rock salt is also a natural air purifier. This is so because it conducts the process of ionization to do so. There are numerous positive ions diffused into the air by various modern gadgets that are commonly used today. These ions do have an adverse effect on the human body. However, natural salt has the ability to neutralize this effect by releasing negative ions into the air. In this way, the surrounding air is purified. You can buy Himalayan Salt Inhalers as well now to help curing any sort of respiratory problems
It keeps you Hydrated
Salt is a natural resource that helps you to avoid dehydration. A look at the Asian region tells us that most of the areas here have a hot climate. In order to cope with the high temperatures, the human body needs to keep itself hydrated. The water levels in the human body cannot only be kept in order by relying on the water intake. Therefore, the use of natural salt aids the process of regulation of water levels in the body.
Stability of pH Level
Another benefit of natural salt is the maintainability of the pH levels in the human body. The pH level in the human body has an impact on the process of digestion and the relevant organs. Therefore, an imbalance in this regard can be devastating for human health. The use of Himalayan Pink Salt helps you to keep the pH levels normal in order to avoid indigestion and acidity that can disrupt the functionality of the stomach.
Effective Metabolism
The problems related to weight have seen a considerable rise all over the world during the past few years. Cases related to the problems of being over or underweight prove to be quite troublesome for a large population. Natural pink salt has the ability to improve the process of metabolism in human body that aids maintaining a proper Body Mass Index (BMI).
Continuing the discussion further, let us have a look at the uses of the Himalayan rock salt.
Uses
The natural salt extracted from the Himalayan Salt Range has a number of industrial and other uses. That is why this type of salt has acquired a great deal of importance for a large number of health and business enthusiasts. Its wide range of uses expands from the treatment of sinus and asthma to the products used for home décor. Its uses can be categorized into industrial, domestic and agricultural.
Industrial
Rock salt is also an essential requirement for various industries. Where the textile industry makes use of salt in the process of dying, the chemical industry is also aided by the natural salt in order to run multiple chemical processes. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry largely relies on natural salt as the formulation of almost every medicine requires a certain percentage of salt. Moreover, the preservation of canned food also requires natural salt which makes it a mandatory component too.
Domestic
A wide range of domestic uses are mostly related to home décor. The salt lamps do not only provide a mesmerizing ambience to a household but also is an aesthetic use of natural salt. In addition to that, the salt tiles are also used for the decoration purposes that give beautify a house internally.
Furthermore, Himalayan Salt is also a domestic application of natural salt as it is also preferred by a large number of people. Apart from the home décor, another domestic use is that of the cooking plates. These cooking plates crafted using the natural rock salt are also preferred by a large number of people for the purpose of cooking.
Agricultural
Salt Licks addresses the nutritional requirements of the livestock. For instance, the cows need these licks in order to maintain their body-fluid balance. By doing so, they are able to contribute in agriculture effectively.
Chemical Composition
Taking the chemical composition of natural salt into consideration, the Himalayan Rock Salt is by far the purest form in which it exists. The following table includes detailed information about its chemical composition.
84 Miracle Elements Present In The Himalayan Salt:
Let us talk about the interesting stuff; the minerals present in the Himalayan rock salt and how they are beneficial for you.
- Calcium: Calcium is extremely important for the growth and strengthening of bones and teeth.
- Hydrogen: It is vital for the production of an important energy source in the body named Adenosine Triphosphate. Hydrogen is the source of protons needed for the production of ATP.
- Phosphorus: Well, this looks like a key component for your well-being. It is found in all the cells but mainly in bones and teeth. It enhances the utilization of B complex vitamins and is involved in communication between the cells and various enzymatic reactions. It is also responsible for the formation of DNA and RNA. It helps to make you feel energetic and ups your endurance game.
- Nitrogen: Helps in the digestion of your food. Hence, helps in your overall growth.
- Carbon: This is the basic building block. It helps in the formation of big biological molecules.
- Oxygen: Yet another most important element. It helps in breaking down the sugars into carbon dioxide and water. Oxygen and glucose provide high amounts of chemical energy to vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys for their functioning.
- Sodium: It helps in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance by regulating the fluid balance in and out of the cells. It is also helpful with muscle contractions and nerve transmission. Sodium helps in transporting carbon dioxide and the production of hydrochloric acid. It helps in transporting amino acids into the bloodstream and to the body cells.
- Fluoride: Remember the toothpaste advertisement that says it is rich in fluoride? Well, it is true! Fluoride is important for the formation and health of teeth as it helps in retaining calcium in the body.
- Cadmium: It is responsible for active metabolic activities.
- Palladium: It is basically a transporting element. It significantly improves the uptake of Lipoic acid and affects the electrical potential of the cells positively.
- Aluminum: Controls the actions of a small number of enzymes.
- Chromium: It enhances insulin function which is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and regulates blood sugar level. Because of all this chromium happens to be a component of the essential glucose tolerance factor. It is also found to be helpful in regulating cholesterol levels and energy production in the body.
- Nickel: It is believed by scientists that nickel affects cell membranes, hormones, and enzymes.
- Arsenic: Known to be responsible for the functioning of the nervous system and growth.
- Silicon: Helpful in the growth of hair, nails, and skin. It helps with the formation of connective tissues like ligaments and tendons. Also strengthens bones paired up with calcium.
- Vanadium: Helps by converting food into energy. Also helps with the proper formation of teeth and bones.
- Lanthanum: It helps by filtering out phosphate from the body.
- Gallium: It restricts the formations of interleukin-6 beta which causes inflammation.
- Rubidium: Rubidium+ ions concentrates on the body’s electrolytic fluid because our body mistakes them to be potassium ions.
- Cobalt: An essential component of Vitamin B12, it helps with the production of red blood cells.
- Indium: Helps with healthy mineralization and absorption of all the minerals by the body.
- Iodine: Essential for thyroid function. Also regulates metabolism, energy production, and cellular oxidation.
- Iron: Primarily it is important for the production of hemoglobin. Also helps with a healthy immune system.
- Magnesium: Acts as a muscle relaxant. Vital for heart health and maintenance and repair of cells. It also helps with hormone regulation and metabolism of protein and nucleic acids.
Other than these, there are many other Himalayan salt minerals that work together in bringing out a balanced and healthy human body. These are:
bromine, antimony, silver, ruthenium, rhodium tellurium, scandium, titanium, cesium, barium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold, mercury, thallium, lead, bismuth, polonium, astatine, francium, radium, actinium, thorium, protactinium, rubidium, strontium, yttrium, zirconium, niobium uranium, tin, neptunium and plutoniu