Pink Himalayan salt is coarse salt excavated from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. It is derived from the minerals of the Himalayan deposits that have been divided into four main divisions, which are the Ladakh, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, and Zanserha. The salt is used in many applications including medicine, cookery, sprinkling, roofing, and architecture. Himalayan salt comes in many forms including crystal, powdery, granular, anodized, and ionized. Salt is refined in different processes that depend upon the kind of mineral content and concentration.
Himalayan sea salt and Himalayan rock salt both derive from the same mines. Himalayan salt is marine-grade salt mined in the Punjab region of Pakistan, hence the name 'halidar'. The salt, which sometimes has a light pinkish hue due to traces of lead and magnesium, is primarily employed as a food seasoning in place of commercial table salt and is also widely used for food presentation and decorative lamps. It is used in various kitchen applications like marinating meat; marinating poultry and fish; cooking stews and curries, and as sea salt for shower water or swimming pool. It serves as an effective alternative to table salt in the preparation of Chinese dishes.
Himalayan crystal salt is a translucent rock salt mined in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. It is refined and purified before it is used for its crystal salt lamps. Since ancient times, the use of this salt lamp has been associated with healing properties. The healing effects depend on its composition and density, the higher the density, the more therapeutic effect. A pure crystal of this type can be used for skin lightening, pain relief, and for curing constipation. It has been used as aphrodisiacs for ages, hence the popularity of using this stone in aphrodisiacs and love potions.
Scientific studies have shown that Himalayan salt contains numerous electrolytes and trace minerals beneficial to the cardiovascular system, kidney, and lymphatic system of the body. These trace minerals include potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iodine, chloride, and iron. These minerals are essential for a healthy body function and maintain good health. However, when the body's need for these minerals is not fulfilled, they could result in adverse effects like high blood pressure, constipation, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, night sweats, and poor immune system.
Researchers have found that Himalayan salt not only has trace minerals but it also has trace elements that are beneficial to our health. Some of these elements include uranium, strontium, boron, manganese, and zinc. These elements present in Himalayan salt can help prevent cardiovascular diseases and can reduce the risk of cancer. It can even slow down the aging process, strengthen the bones, improve circulation and slow down the process of cellular deterioration. A glass of Himalayan salt water containing these trace minerals can help in skin regeneration, strengthen the kidney and liver functions and increase the resistance of the body against infectious diseases.
It is believed that Pink Himalayan salt can reverse thyroid problems because it contains iodine and help to increase the production of thyroid hormones. In fact, iodine deficiency can be reversed with the proper use of this salt. This is one of the most common table salts that have the potential of causing iodine deficiency. Iodine plays a vital role in the thyroid gland by producing the hormone thyroxine. It helps regulate metabolism and protein synthesis.
Iodine deficiency can also be caused by foreign contaminants. These contaminants can be introduced into the human body through food, water, and the air. Some of these contaminants are uranium, lead, arsenic, and mercury. The most commonly used Himalayan salt that is mined in the whole of Pakistan is the red rock salt. The yellow or green rock salt from the foothills of the Himalayas is rarely used because the rocks present in the foothills are too weak and the pores too small.
Mined in the foothills of the Himalayas in Pakistan and exported to the world, this natural crystal salt is used as household salt and in treating certain health disorders. Iodine content in the Himalayan rock salt is at a level enough to inhibit bacterial growth and increase the activity of microorganisms responsible for the iodination of blood. Studies have shown that after consuming this salt daily, children in the age group up to six years have increased mineral intake and have lower cases of iodine deficiency.