Pink Himalayan Salt – Facts and Benefits

Pink Himalayan Salt

Pink Himalayan salt is believed to be the purest and healthiest form of salt available. Its uses range from cooking and food seasoning as well as for producing body scrubs, bath salts, rock salt lamps, tealight holders, cooking blocks and more.

Pink Himalayan salt contains more than 84 minerals and trace elements, adding more than just flavour to your food. The Pink salt is also referred to as Himalayan salt, Himalayan sea salt, rock salt and Himalayan crystal salt. This rock salt or halite, primarily comes from the salt range of the Punjab region of Pakistan - about 300 km from the Himalayas – second largest and one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

Where does Pink Himalayan Salt come from?

As we mentioned, Himalayan salt comes from the Salt Range, situated in the Punjab province of Pakistan. This is also home to Khewra Salt Mine, world’s second largest salt and Pakistan’s largest mine which rises from the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The Salt Range is said to have been unexplored for millions of years until 1849. It is now spread over 111 square kilometers with tunnels almost a kilometer into the mountain with 82 to 600 million tons of salt reserves.

Himalayan salt rocks from the Khewra Mine can be red, pink or white shades and are highly rich in beneficial minerals. With recommended daily per capita consumption of sodium at 2300mg, salt is essential for sound health of body cells and nerves as well as good digestion.

Pink Himalayan Salt vs Table Salt

While table salt is produced through extensive processing, Pink Himalayan salt is one of the purest forms of salt available on the planet. Typically mined by hand, it is high quality, unrefined and composed of about 85% sodium chloride.

Pink Himalayan Salt Benefits

Secondly, most table salts have only one natural mineral – Sodium (aside from iodine in iodized salts) - while sometimes toxic anti-clumping agents, bleaching agents and aluminum derivatives are also found in these salts that can be dangerous for health.

Pink Salt Benefits

Alleviating allergies and respiratory symptoms

There is a reason why halotherapy or salt therapy is gaining momentum across North America and around the world. Salt is naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, reduces mucus and pathogens in the air such as pollen, according to the Lung Institute. Himalayan salt caves and spas offer exceptional health benefits for people with allergies and respiratory symptoms.

Balancing pH level of the body

Balanced pH level plays an important role in overall health and well-being. Given Pink Himalayan sea salt’s sodium and other mineral content and electrolytes, it has a positive effect on blood pH level, thereby improving immunity, digestion and general body wellness.

Improving digestion

Pink Himalayan salt can be mixed with pure water to make a solution that can greatly help with digestion. This solution is referred to as sole and its daily use is believed to balance stomach acid, help production of digestive fluids and improve metabolism.

Natural Himalayan Salt Lamp

Creating a soothing environment

While much of the respiratory health and wellness benefits of salt therapy or halotherapy comes from minute particles of pure sodium chloride dispersed by a halogenerator, research in this area provides some evidence that large amounts of a natural compound concentration - such as Himalayan salt - in an enclosed space can alter the vibrational frequency of the physical environment, leaving an ambient feeling in the room.  Hence, Himalayan salt lamps décor can create a nice, ambient environment in which they are placed.

There is also some scientific evidence regarding chromatic nature of Himalayan salt. With its characteristic orange and pink hues, lighted Himalayan salt lamps or bricks can create a soothing environment to aid emotional and mental health. 

Helping to sleep better

Several scientific studies suggest that low sodium diets can cause sleep issues. While high sodium intake is also not recommended, balanced sodium intake that is required for proper functioning of the human body certainly helps with undisturbed sleep. Scientists have suggested that low levels of sodium in the blood can cause blood volume to decrease, and the sympathetic nervous system to become more active which causes people to wake up more often during sleep.

There are several other benefits of natural pink Himalayan salt, including:

· Regulating body water level

· Reducing of signs of aging

· Improving blood sugar levels

· Reducing leg and other body cramps

· Improving body nutrition from food intake

· Helping with sinus problems

· Improving blood circulation

· Enhancing bone strength

· Ensuring a healthy libido

· Keeping kidney and gallbladder healthier

Salt is a very beneficial addition to daily diet to be consumed in recommended quantity. The Pink Himalayan salt is indeed a pure and healthier option to regular table salt that not only provides exceptional flavour to your food but also helps keep you healthier through key nutrients and minerals that provide positive benefits for overall health and well-being.