Salt is part of our lives, due to the importance of salt, which consists of sodium and chloride, in maintaining fluid balance in the body and regulating blood pressure. However, eating it excessively may have its health damage as a result of intensive bleaching and exposure to refining, which causes most of its nutritional value to be removed. Which is why many people are looking for better alternatives such as Himalayan salt (English: Himalayan salt)

What is Himalayan salt?

• Himalayan rock salt, or what is known as pink salt, is made from natural deposits extracted from the foothills of the Himalayas and the Punjab region of Pakistan.
• Pink salt is a rich source of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It consists of opaque blocks, and has a pure taste.
• The attractive pink color is due to the presence of iron oxide. It is called the purest species on earth, since it is extracted and washed by hand, and it is natural and not processed.

Himalayan salt uses

• It is used in cooking.
• It can be crumbled on food.
• It can be added to the ingredients for preparing sweets and bread.
• It is used in some treatments.
• Some use it as a substitute for bath salts.

Himalayan salt benefits

1. Improve digestion

Himalayan rock salt helps stimulate the salivary glands, which release the enzyme amylase, which helps digest carbohydrates. It also stimulates hydrochloric acid, which aids in the digestion of protein.

Also read: Protein: What are the risks of decreasing and increasing it?

2. The expulsion of toxins

Sole water is used to balance acid levels in the body (pH levels), remove toxins from cells, and maintain body moisture.

3. Strengthening the respiratory system

Pink Himalayan salt is used to treat respiratory problems by inhaling it.

• Using a dedicated device or a bowl filled with warm salty water.
• Or by sitting in a room filled with salt-rich air.

Its antibacterial properties clear sinuses and lungs, treat seasonal allergies, and chest congestion.

4. Hormonal balance

Consuming a daily dose of Himalayan salt can help in the proper flow of fluids in the body, which leads to a good balance between minerals and hormones. Which in turn can improve insulin sensitivity, and prevent a sudden rise in blood sugar.

5. Skin health

A warm Himalayan salt bath helps maintain healthy skin and muscles, as it works on:

• Acne Treatment.
• Maintain smooth skin.
• Promote tissue health.
• Soothe the muscles.

Where the body absorbs the various minerals contained in this type of salt, which works to rejuvenate the skin, and restore a sense of vigor and vitality.

How to use rock salt water

• Himalayan salt is added in a glass jar until it reaches a quarter.
• Then fill the rest of the jar with water.
• Leave for approximately 12 to 24 hours.
• If the salt has completely dissolved, add more salt so that it does not dissolve, to ensure that the water is completely saturated.
• Get about 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of this mixture.
• Then it is added to a glass of water of normal temperature (240 ml).

Now take a cup, in order to expel toxins, promote digestion, improve sleep, and prevent muscle spasms. However, there are no documented scientific studies that have tested the effects of this method through scientific research.

Cautions when using

• iodine: Himalayan salt contains less iodine than iodized table salt, so those with an iodine deficiency may need to use other sources of iodine besides pink salt such as eating fish, dairy products, and eggs.
• Sodium: Despite the importance of sodium to the body, it is not recommended to overeat more than the recommended amount of any of the salts, including pink salt. Especially for people with liver, kidney or heart problems.

Despite the many benefits and uses of Himalayan salt, it still needs more scientific studies to document its various benefits with scientific research.