Health conscious people are always ready to adopt healthier alternatives in their lifestyle. Himalayan salt is one of those lifestyle changes that many have embraced due to the myriad of benefits it has. Natural Himalayan rock salt is beneficial in so many ways that it wouldn’t be wrong to call it nature’s gift to mankind.
What is Himalayan rock salt?
Himalayan salt is known to be the purest form of salt that exists on the face of this planet. This salt is like any other edible salt found in our homes; having many more benefits. Natural rock salt can be used as a flavoring agent for foods, decorative pieces around the home, salt lamps, salt baths, and spa baths, and as a treatment for serious ailments such as asthma and certain skin conditions. This miraculous rock salt is not only beneficial for the human body but also for animals.
Let’s take each topic at a time and learn in detail about this magical salt.
How is Himalayan salt formed?
Himalayan salt is extracted from salt mines located in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain ranges in the Punjab region of Pakistan. These Himalayan salt mines are a must for people who are interested in learning about and seeing the wonders of nature.
The Khewra mines in Pakistan are an attractive tourist spot and the Pakistani government has taken special measures to conduct guided tours for people visiting the mine area.
Himalayan salt mines date back millions of years. We are talking here about the Precambrian era, which refers to the time when the first multicellular life began on this planet.
Geologists believe that due to the movement of tectonic plates, a giant sea was trapped between huge mountains. This massive sea evaporated over time leaving behind huge deposits of mineral-rich salt. This salt remained in its pure state, protected by the layers of earth; until it was discovered many, many millions of years later.
History and origin of Himalayan salt
As mentioned above, the mineral salt found in the Himalayan ranges is protected under thick layers of soil for many years. Until one day Alexander the Great passed through this region with his army. The great warrior decided to rest a bit and stayed near the salt flats, unaware that he was about to make a great discovery. One of his army men noticed the horses lovingly licking the nearby rocks. The military man was curious and licked the rock himself and found it salty. This is where Himalayan salt was discovered.
This magical pink salt has always been of great importance, and its value varies from time to time. It has been a main source of income for the people who live near the area where these mines are located today.
People in ancient times also used it as a currency. Since food can be preserved for a longer period with this salt, people used it to preserve meat and fish and also as a great barter item. In exchange for the Himalayan salt chunks, they would get food or other basic necessities.
Himalayan salt is also widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Due to its health benefits, this salt was called «royal salt», «salt of life» and «white gold» in ancient times.
Himalayan salt extraction process
Over the years , Himalayan salt mining practices have undergone many changes and have been passed down from ruler to ruler.
The salt mines have seen some very dark days of oppression. The working poor in the days of British rule were locked inside the tunnels until they reached their designated quota for salt production per day. The rules applied to everyone, regardless of age, gender and health conditions. 12 protesting miners were brutally shot dead near the entrance to the salt mine. Their graves can be seen in the middle of the entrance gate of the mine.
The last notable advance in the method of extracting rock salt was made under British rule when a scientist devised the bane and pillar technique. This ensures that the structure and stability of the salt mines are not compromised with unimpeded salt extraction.
Is Himalayan Rock Salt Sustainable?
After learning about the benefits of Himalayan pink salt for human health, you must be wondering if this salt is sustainable. Also, since it was discovered hundreds of years ago, and has seen considerable use ever since. A simple answer for your curious mind is ‘YES’. Himalayan salt is very sustainable.
These salt mines were discovered hundreds of years ago, but the six mines in the area contain large amounts of this miraculous salt. The figure is a bit confusing, however according to rough estimates the largest of the six mines alone, called the Khewra Salt Mine, contains nearly 6.7 billion tonnes of this salt, only 220 million tonnes of which is accessible from now.
Khewra harvests around 400,000 tons of salt each year. If these numbers surprise you, let us keep things simple. If salt is still mined at the current rate, as long as none of the salt mines are expanded, the salt can easily last another 550 years. If these mines expand, the supply of salt can be infinite!
environmental sustainability
To date, Himalayan salt is extracted by hand from the mines following the proven doom and pillar technique. This technique ensures that the actual structure of the salt mines is not damaged. Following this technique, only 50 percent of the salt in each “room” within the mine is harvested and mined. The remaining 50 percent is left as pillars to support the structure of the rooms and the mountain.
We all know how damaging explosives and dynamite can be. With this in mind, the Himalayan salt harvesting is done by hand under strict supervision. The use of any explosive or dynamite is prohibited as it can affect the structure of the salt crystal.
Manual harvesting is a slow process but it ensures that the salt retains its purity until it reaches its consumers. No reports of any damage caused to wildlife or plants due to salt harvesting have been reported to date.
The harvested chunks of salt are then transported to factories run by different merchants and salt producers. One of the major Himalayan pink salt producers in Pakistan is Ittefaq Salt .
The harvested salt chunks are then checked to remove any contaminants, pollution, or low-quality crystals. The resulting salt is of the best quality and free of additives. This salt is then sliced, shaped, or ground as desired. Throughout the process, they ensure that the salt reaches its consumers as pure as it exists naturally.
Economic Sustainability
In the area located near the salt mines, salt is an important commercial product. The people who live nearby take it as one of the main and valuable agricultural products. These communities of people have had their generations involved in harvesting rock salt. It is their main occupation and they play a vital role in enriching the history and agricultural present and past of Pakistan.
The collection of natural rock salt contributes to the country’s economy. Give people work. This miraculous salt is also in great international demand. This gives a boost to the international trade of the country. Since Himalayan salt is sure to last almost forever, the economic advantages associated with it are also everlasting.
Chemical composition of Himalayan pink salt
The chemical formula of Himalayan salt is the same as table salt. Natural Himalayan salt consists of 98% sodium chloride and 2% trace minerals. you must be wondering what pink salt tastes like. Well, it tastes like regular table salt. Himalayan salt is famous for its pink and orange hues. It contains trace elements, especially iron, which is what makes salt pink .
The trace minerals present in Himalayan salt are mainly minerals that are already present in our bodies and therefore our bodies know what to do with them. Simply put, these minerals act as electrolytes that carry the electrical charge in our body from one cell to another and provide these cells with energy to perform their tasks.
There have been claims by some about the high potassium content in Himalayan salt. Scientifically speaking, potassium and sodium work closely together. When the body receives a lot of potassium, sodium stops the increase in blood pressure. Additionally, studies have shown that higher potassium intake is more effective in lowering blood pressure than lower sodium intake.
Himalayan salt benefits and uses
The main reason for the increasing popularity of Himalayan salt around the world is its many uses and benefits. Salt can be used in:
- Cooking, as a food additive.
- serving dish
- slab for cooking food
- decorative piece
- Salt lamp
- salt sole
- Bath salt and soak in spa
- Salt cave therapy for respiratory diseases
- salt lick for animals
- natural air purifier
Mineral rock salt is beneficial in:
- Balance electromagnetic radiation
- clearing the air
- improve breathing
- Raise energy levels
- Provide relief from respiratory diseases.
- excellent beauty product
Himalayan rock salt is hands down the best thing to add to your lifestyle. Fill your houses with the gift of this nature.
