It seems like everyone knows about Himalayan salt benefits these days, as the pink stuff graces the countertops of my mom, my sister, and, recently, my best friend. I personally switched over to the mineral-rich food flavor-er early in my real food journey, after learning that refined white table salt doesn’t offer the same health benefits and may even contain additives.
Not only is Himalayan salt totally pure and unrefined, it contains trace minerals that are important for our health. I wrote recently about the need for magnesium (and how to easily supplement it with this magnesium lotion recipe). Himalayan salt contains magnesium + 83 more trace minerals, including:
- calcium
- potassium
- iron
- maganese
- iodine
- zinc
Because Himalayan salt is so rich in these trace minerals, it’s a great source of electrolytes, plus it offers the following benefits:
Balances fluids- because salt attracts water, a moderate salt intake is needed to maintain proper fluid levels. Too little sodium intake may result in dehydration. Additionally, Dr. Axe explains,
By consuming sea salt daily, you also ensure that you maintain sufficient sodium levels, and this helps balance your sodium-potassium ratios. Sodium and potassium are two electrolytes that work together to ensure that there is proper fluid balance in your body’s cells as well as your blood plasma and extracellular fluid.
Supports digestive system- Himalayan salt contains chloride, which is a primary component of hydrochloric acid, or HCL, the acid our stomachs produce in order to digest our food. Without a good dietary source of chloride, you’ll likely lack HCL, and your digestion will be hindered.
Aids in hormonal balance- because it is a good source of iodine and other trace minerals, Himalayan salt supports the hormones. Proper intake of dietary iodine protects the thyroid and adrenal glands, which are both responsible for keeping our hormones in check.
Suffice it to say, if you haven’t swapped your white salt for the pink stuff, you’re missing out on tons of health benefits. It’s such a simple and inexpensive change to make, what are you waiting for?
Here are five more unusual ways to harness Himalayan salt benefits for your family’s health:
1. Himalayan salt benefits for overall health
Sole water- I’ve written about how sole water has helped to heal my adrenal fatigue, improve my energy levels, and increase my mineral intake. It’s a health powerhouse, and you can use it for your own health benefits with very little cost or time.
To make sole water, simply:
- Put 1 cup of salt in the jar, then fill it the rest of the way with filtered water.
- Cover the jar tightly with a plastic or other non-metal lid and give it a shake.
- Let sit out on the counter overnight. (I leave mine out all the time, as the salt water will not spoil.)
- If the cup of salt is completely dissolved, add a little more until it doesn’t dissolve. This is how you ensure the water is totally saturated.
- Take 1 teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach in a glass of water. (I actually take more than this, several times a day, but I slowly worked my way up to this dose.)
Soaking bath- I’m a sucker for a nice, hot bath. I frequently use Epsom salts, but if I want to up my detox bath game, Himalayan salt is a nice addition.
Because it is so rich in minerals, Himalayan salt is a perfect choice for soaking in the bath with. Not only does it help to facilitate detoxification through the skin, but you absorb all those minerals through your skin, straight into the blood stream. This is a quality, affordable Himalayan bath salt.
Sinus irrigation- Using a neti pot (aka sinus irrigation) can help to alleviate sinus congestion and pressure, heal infection, and even relieve headaches. Add a sprinkle of Himalayan salt for added astringent qualities to help clear infections and improve sinus health.
2. Himalayan salt benefits for air quality
Salt lamps- I’ve had a salt lamp for years after I learned about how great they are for improving indoor air quality. Because they emit negative ions, they can help to remove toxins from the air inside your home, and even counteract EMF signals from WiFi and electronics.
I’ve got a beautiful basket lamp like this on my kitchen counter, a nice orb like this on my computer desk, and each of my kids uses a small lamp like this in their bedroom at night as a melatonin-friendly night light.
Through Friday, you can hop over to Facebook and enter to win a gorgeous salt lamp bowl here:
Spelotherapy- If salt lamps can improve the air quality in your home, spelotherapy, or inhaling salt, can improve the air quality inside your body. It’s true! Spelotherapy has been used to help everything from seasonal allergies to asthma to improve respiratory health, as well as overall bodily health.
The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of Himalayan salt help detoxify the lungs and sinuses. A handy salt pipe is simple and safe to use for kids, which is great if your little one battles asthma or other respiratory issues. Try this inexpensive, refillable inhaler.
3. Himalayan salt benefits for beauty
I love using various scrubs to keep my face looking smooth and vibrant, but did you know that using Himalayan salt in a body scrub can help reduce cellulite, stimulate fluid flow, and improve the overall health and tone of your skin?
Wellness Mama explains the benefits of Himalayan salt scrubs here, along with a simple DIY recipe.
If you’re not into DIY, this is a lovely, totally natural scrub you can grab, and it also boasts some of the same relaxation benefits as my magnesium lotion recipe.
4. Himalayan salt benefits for the kitchen
Grilling- Before Christmas, I started researching Himalayan salt blocks so I could get one for Mr. Incredible. He was thrilled to open up that big, heavy, hunk ‘o salt Christmas morning. I also grabbed him a salt block cook book, where we learned that you can use salt blocks for much more than grilling, including curing and more.
This is the salt block and holder set I bought the Mister.
Finishing- A nice, high-quality salt can add a lovely finishing touch to an otherwise ordinary dish. My GAPS Salted Caramel Blondies are a prime example. The little sprinkle of Himalayan salt at the end gives it such a nice finish.
Other foods that can benefit from a good finishing salt include fish, steak, salads, and even cookies.
Blood sugar-regulating fat bombs- Fat bombs help to stabilize blood sugar by giving you a hit of sweetness, along with satiating and blood sugar-regulating fat. Adding a pinch of Himalayan salt gives added benefits for supporting the adrenals, which further stabilizes blood sugar, as that is one of the primary responsibilities of the adrenal glands.
Read about how to make fat bombs (and why you should!) here.
5. Himalayan salt benefits for healing and relaxation
Finally, I recently posted about salt caves on my Facebook page, and lots of you found them fascinating. I do too!
Last summer, Mr. Incredible and I snuck away to a resort for a few days. It had golf for him… and a spa featuring a salt cave for me. Really, it was the only reason I wanted to go to this particular resort!
I relaxed, breathed in the salty air, squished my toes in the tumbled salt floor, and took in the beauty of the twinkling pink surrounding me. If I had a salt cave nearby, I would try to make it in every week!
I encourage you to seek out a salt cave near you for ultimate relaxation, rejuvenation, and an overall healing and detoxification experience. Immersing yourself in a salt cave provides all of the above benefits to your respiratory system, your skin, and even your mood (duh!).
Where to find Himalayan salt
If you’re not sure where to buy Himalayan salt for everyday use, here is an awesome brand to try. I’m also seeing more and more grocery stores stocking pink salt varieties, so look around!
