What is Rock Salt
Rock Salt (Sendha namak ) is the pure rock salt of India and
is a little costlier than the normal salt because it is found in very less
quantities in the Indian sub-continent. In Hindi Rock Salt is referred as
Sendha Namak. The commercial salt available is iodized whereas the rock salt is
pure from nature, is more granular, has less salty taste as you would have
already noticed and is not chemically processed. It is rich in lot of minerals
and if used in regular cooking as a substitute of common salt, it can control
all the health problems posed by common salt like high blood pressure,
puffiness in the body or the eyes are cooling for the body, helpful in
digestion, relieve gas and soothe heartburn and helps in weight loss. Not only
health but many beauty benefits can also be acquired from rock salt.
How is it formed
It is formed by the evaporation of salty water from large
water bodies such as inland marginal seas, enclosed bays and estuaries in
semi-arid regions where it is found in enormous deposits. In the Indian
subcontinent, it is found in the Himalayan region where it known as the
Himalayan crystal salt.
Health benefits of
Rock Salt (Sendha Namak)
As pointed out earlier, rock salt is the purest form of salt
which is devoid of environmental pollutants and chemical components. It
contains 84 out of the 92 trace elements required by the body including
calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper and so on. Thus, it is
available in drug stores and pharmacies in the form of powder, pill supplement
or even as a liquid extract in health beverages. Some of its health benefits
are as follows.
1. Rock salt has an alkalizing effect on the body, as it has not been exposed to high heat and stripped of its minerals, nor does it have any harmful man-made ingredients artificially added to it. Thus it can help you to prevent and reverse high levels of acidity.
2. It aids in digestion and is prescribed for laxative and digestive disorders. It improves appetite, removes gas and soothes heartburn.
3. It facilitates the cellular absorption of minerals. It plays an important role in replenishing the body’s electrolytes and maintaining the pH balance. By stimulating blood circulation and mineral balance it removes toxic minerals and refined salt deposits.
4. It stabilizes blood pressure by maintaining a balance of high and low blood pressures.
5. It aids in weight loss by equalizing minerals which inhibit cravings and eliminate fat dead cells. It helps the body to create digestive juices so that the foods you eat are digested faster.Can be used as a foot soak, foot scrub or a hand scrub too. Removes dead skin & doesn’t have a drying action.
6. Rock salt is used as a home remedy for curing many disorders and ailments such as rheumatic pain and herpes, inflammation and irritation from insect bites.
7. Consumption of rock salt along with lemon juice can help in eliminating stomach worms and controlling vomiting. It also provides relief against influenza.
8. It is beneficial for people suffering from respiratory problems and sinus. Gargling with rock salt helps relieves throat pain, throat swelling, dry cough and tonsils. Rock salt is dissolved in water to prepare brine which is used in facial steams for patients suffering from asthma, bronchitis or other nose and ear discomforts.
9. Rock salt is very effective in reducing inflammation in the respiratory system. Thus the production of phlegm is slowed down so that you can breathe easier again. Many people sprinkle Rock salt on the tongue. It helps them in breathing. It has almost the same effect as of a nasal inhaler. But the best thing about Rock salt is that it has no side effects when taken in moderate quantities.
10. Having brine made with rock salt with a glass of spring water can provide relief in case of arthritis, rheumatism, kidney and bladder stones. Poultice made from this brine can be used to treat wounds, acne or pain due to gout or arthritis.
11. Rock salt can be used as a teeth whitener or mouth freshener. Gargling with rock salt provides relief against sore throat.
12. It can be used as a bath or body salt. You can mix a table spoon of rock salt in your bath water to have a relaxing bath. Bathing in rock salt water combats water retention, soothes sore muscles, regulates sleep, detoxifies your body and lowers your blood pressure. It also eases stress and body pains.
13. Rock salt also has shown to be effective in treating various types of depression. The salt helps to preserve two essential hormones in the body that help you to better deal with stress. These hormones are serotonin and melatonin, which help you to feel good, and relax and sleep better at night.
14. One of the most amazing benefits of rock salt is that it overcomes muscle cramps. Potassium is essential for helping the muscles to function properly. Rock salt not only contains small amounts of potassium, but it also helps the body to absorb it better as compared to other foods. Thus it is very effective in helping to prevent muscle pains, spasms and cramps. Those experiencing muscle cramps can mix a spoon of rock salt in water and sip it to get relief within a few minutes.
15. By providing all the essential trace elements, it greatly improves the immune system. It also improves the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems to a significant extent.
16. It helps in maintaining the flow of salivary and digestive juices. You can add a pinch of rock salt with few shredded mint leaves to your lassi to make a refreshing beverage.
17. Rock salt can be stored in a copper vessel till it becomes red.
18. It strengthens the bones and connective tissue.
19. Rock salt can help in reducing high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and help to regulate an irregular heartbeat. Thus Rock salt can help to prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.
20. Rock salt can help to reduce the need for insulin by helping to maintain proper sugar levels in the body. Thus the salt is an essential part of the diet if you are diabetic, or at risk for the disease.
21. Just over 1/4 of the amount of salt that is in the body is stored in the bones, where it helps to keep them strong. When the body lacks salt and water it begins to draw the sodium from the bones, which then eventually can lead to osteoporosis. Thus by drinking plenty of water and consuming salt in moderation you can prevent osteoporosis.
22. Rock Salt can be used as a teeth whitener or a mouth freshener. It can be used with Mustard Oil for best effects. It also clears a sour throat if used for gargling.
Apart from its numerous health benefits, there are also many rock salt uses for your skin in many ways, thanks to its cleansing and detoxifying properties. Some of its benefits for skin are as follows.
23. Rock salt can be used as a body scrub. Rubbing rock salt increases blood flow on the skin & imparts shine.
24. Drop a table spoon of rock salt in your bath every time and enjoy a relaxing bath. It also detoxifies your body externally as well as internally. Eases stress and body pains.
25. Accumulation of dead skin cells is responsible for causing a rough, dull and aged appearance of your skin. Rock salt exfoliates the dead skin cells and protects the natural layer of your skin, thus resulting in a youthful and glowing skin.
26. It also strengthens the skin tissue to rejuvenate your skin, thus making it look younger and firm. Massaging your skin with a salt scrub exfoliates and refines your skin, leaving it clean and refreshed and eliminating dead skin cells that cause your skin to look dull.
27. Being rich in minerals, rock salt can be used as a body scrub as a perfect substitute of spa standard products made at home.
28. It has excellent cleansing properties. The salt grains can cleanse your skin pores better than any soap or cleanser and makes your skin breathe easily. You can mix a table spoon of rock salt with your cleanser or face wash and rub your face with it for a glowing skin.
29. Soaking your body in rock salt water enables the minerals and nutrients in the salt to be delivered to your cells in the form of ions to facilitate their absorption by your body. This causes an improvement in the appearance of your skin by increasing circulation.
30. Since it does not have a drying effect on the skin, it can be used as foot soak, foot scrub or a hand scrub.
31. Rock salt is effective in removing yellowness under your nails, thus making them shine beautifully.
32. Rock salt mixed with the juices of lemon and ginger when taken in the morning and evening on a daily basis can help in curing skin enlargement.
33. Use of rock salt while bathing can help you to relieve dry and itchy skin as well as serious skin ailments such as eczema and psoriasis. The bath naturally opens up the pores, improves circulation in the skin and hydrates the tissues so that your skin can heal.
34. Removes the yellowness under the nails and makes your nails shine beautifully.
Use it to cleanse your skin at night. Mix a table spoon of rock salt with your cleanser or face wash and rub it gently into the skin. Make sure to remove make up before this routine.
Though it might appear unlikely, rock salt can actually be beneficial for your hair in many ways. Due to its cleansing and exfoliating properties, it is often used as an ingredient in shampoos and hair treatments. Some of its benefits for hair are given below:
35. Due to its excellent cleansing properties, rock salt helps in removing dead skin cells and dirt from your hair without stripping off its natural healthy oil. All you need to do is mix a cup of salt in your shampoo. Wash your hair with this mixture and rinse off your hair with cold water to remove the residue. Make sure not to do the usual lather.
36. You can mix equal parts of your conditioner and rock salt and apply it on your hair. Wash off after 20-30 minutes. This will add volume to your hair.