Salt’s Health Benefits
Himalayan pink salt (also known as pink salt) is rock salt harvested from the foothills of the Himalayan mountains in Nepal and Tibet. It is the salt most widely available and most well-known in the western world. Used for hundreds of years in Tibet and Nepal, Himalayan salt has gained popularity not only in Asia but also in North America where it is used in everything from salt lamp filtration systems to salt water shower heads. Today Himalayan salt remains a staple of eastern culture and shopping trends. But what is it exactly?
Himalayan pink salt has been found to contain many essential nutrients that are crucial to human health and thus is used in many different ways. In addition to being used as cooking and food additive salts, it is often used in spa treatments and as a beauty enhancement. While it does contain many naturally occurring minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and calcium, the main component which makes it pink is a mineral called “halite.” This mineral is abundant in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and has long been known for its many health benefits.
Among these health benefits is the reduction of high blood pressure. Research studies have shown that using the pink Himalayan salt in water as well as salt rocks reduced the levels of hypertension found in participants by more than 40%. While this is an impressive reduction, it still leaves many wondering how it works and whether it could be used as part of a regular table salt remedy. The study seems to indicate that it may be able to reduce the levels of potassium, sodium and calcium in the blood stream which are known to contribute to hypertension.
Another of the health benefits associated with the pink Himalayan salt lamp is that it is believed to help reduce stress and fatigue. When people are constantly stressed and tired, they are at a greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke and various forms of cancer. Salt lamps are used to help relax the body and restore its natural balance which has been disturbed by environmental factors or other causes. It is thought that the use of regular salt lamps in the form of salt rocks helps to stimulate the circulation of blood to the skin tissue and muscle cells. By stimulating this process, blood flow is increased and waste products are flushed out of the body in the sweat of the participants.
In addition to helping to eliminate toxins, some research has suggested that pink Himalayan salt lamps also provide some measure of protection against some types of cancer. Preliminary investigations have indicated that certain minerals contained in salt rocks, particularly sodium chloride, have some effect on the growth and development of certain cancerous tumors. The preliminary results of these studies are not definitive and more studies are needed to strengthen this claim.
Salt works wonders in our lives. In addition to being nature’s great preserver, it is also an important ingredient in cooking, baking foods, especially when we refer to “table salt”. As people continue to learn the many benefits associated with salt, they will undoubtedly begin to use more natural forms of salt in their daily lives. Many health conscious people who are becoming increasingly aware of their diet’s impact on their health will also turn to natural forms of salt in place of the regular table salt they have become accustomed to.