The Guide to Salt

Salt is a kitchen staple, but not all salts are created equal. Celtic sea salt, Himalayan salt, and table salt differ in their origin, mineral content, processing, and health benefits. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the right salt for your needs and how salt can help you.

1. Table Salt

Origin: Typically mined from underground salt deposits.

Mineral Content: Primarily sodium chloride, with added iodine (in iodized versions) and anti-caking agents.

Processing: Highly refined, removing trace minerals and adding synthetic additives.

Health Concerns: Lacks trace minerals, and the additives may contribute to health concerns when consumed in excess.

2. Celtic Sea Salt

Origin: Harvested from coastal regions, particularly in France, using traditional methods of drying seawater.

Mineral Content: Contains up to 80 trace minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

Processing: Unrefined and minimally processed, retaining its natural minerals.

Uses: Great as a finishing salt for vegetables, meats, and fish; everyday table salt replacement.

Health Benefits: Supports electrolyte balance, hydration, mineral intake, adrenal/thyroid function; free of anti-caking agents and synthetic additives.

3. Himalayan Pink Salt

Origin: Mined from ancient salt deposits in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan.

Mineral Content: Contains over 80 trace minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Processing: Unrefined and minimally processed, preserving its natural composition.

Uses: Ideal for seasoning meats, vegetables, and soups.

Health Benefits: Supports mineral intake and is often used for detox baths due to its trace minerals; free of anti-caking agents and synthetic additives.

4. Redmond Real Salt

Origin: Mined from ancient salt deposits in Utah.

Mineral Content: Contain over 60 naturally occurring trace minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

Processing: Unrefined and minimally processed, preserving its natural composition.

Uses: Ideal for seasoning meats, vegetables, soups, and finishing dishes; everyday table salt replacement.

Health Benefits: Supports electrolyte balance, hydration, mineral intake, adrenal/thyroid function; free of anti-caking agents and synthetic additives.

What Conditions does Salt Support?

• Adrenal Exhaustion: Vital for restoring adrenal function. Adequate intake supports hormone production and prevents exhaustion.

  
  

• Asthma: At wheezing onset: 1 large pinch salt on tongue + 8 oz room-temperature water. Repeat in 15–30 min if needed.

  
  

• Circulation: Salt expands blood volume; helps when low blood pressure causes sluggish flow.

  
  

• Congestion: Mix ¼ tsp salt + ¼ tsp baking soda in 8 oz pure water. Use as nasal spray to lubricate passages, reduce drainage, and act as antibacterial/antihistamine.

  
  

• Detoxification: Add 2 cups salt + 2 cups baking soda to bath water to stimulate lymph drainage and aid toxin removal.

  
  

• Diabetes: Essential for blood sugar control. Salt deficiency makes regulation difficult.

  
  

• Dry Skin: Rub skin with salt after showering to exfoliate and remove dead skin.

  
  

• Exercise: 1 large pinch salt + glass of water before starting. Repeat after heavy sweating to prevent cramps and aid recovery.

  
  

• Fatigue: Salt is required for cellular energy production. Low-salt diets promote fatigue.

• Food Preservation: Traditional, effective preservative for canning and curing.

  
  

• Gastritis/Reflux: Large pinch salt with meals buffers stomach acid and reduces reflux.

  
  

• Insect Bites / Bee Sting: Apply warm salt paste to reduce pain and itching.

  
  

• Insomnia: 1 large pinch salt + small amount warm water before bed acts as natural hypnotic.

  
  

• Lipid Profiles: Adequate salt improves cholesterol/LDL; low-salt diets worsen them.

  
  

• Low Sodium: Increase salt if serum sodium <141 mmol/L. Supports brain, hormones, energy.

  
  

• Muscle Cramps: Nighttime cramps: 1 large pinch salt + water at bedtime.

  
  

• Osteoporosis: Salt supports bone density. Low-salt diets increase risk.

  
  

• Poison Ivy: Soak area in hot water with ¼ tsp salt per quart.

Summary

Salt is essential for life, supporting hydration, electrolyte balance, nerve impulses, energy production, hormone function (adrenals, thyroid), detoxification, and pH regulation. Unrefined salt provides over 80 trace minerals absent in refined versions, aiding adrenal health, blood pressure stability, muscle recovery, immune support, and toxin excretion (e.g., bromine).

Practical uses include seasoning food, nasal irrigation for allergies, asthma relief, muscle cramp prevention, skin exfoliation, detox baths, and improving circulation, fatigue, reflux, and bone density when used appropriately. Consult a healthcare provider if kidney issues or medications are involved. Continue reading more about the History of Salt & Humanity.

Disclaimer: The content presented on this website serves educational and informational purposes and is not meant to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor for any inquiries concerning medical conditions. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information obtained from this website.