Health conscious people are always ready to accept healthier alternatives in their lifestyle. Himalayan salt is one such lifestyle change that many have adopted due to the many benefits it has. Natural Himalayan rock salt is so beneficial in so many ways that it would be wrong to call it nature’s gift to humanity.
What is Himalayan rock salt?
Himalayan salt is known to be the purest form of salt that exists on this planet. This salt is the same as any other. edible salt found in our homes; with many more benefits. Natural rock salt can be used as a food flavoring, home decoration, salt lamps, salt and spa baths, and to treat serious conditions such as asthma and certain skin conditions. This miraculous rock salt is useful not only for the human body, but also for animals.
Let’s go through each topic at a time and learn about this magic salt in detail.
How is Himalayan salt formed?
Himalayan salt is mined from salt mines located at the foot of the Himalayan mountain ranges in the Punjab region of Pakistan. These Himalayan salt mines are a must for people who want to know and see the wonders of nature.
The Khewra mines in Pakistan are an attractive tourist destination and the Government of Pakistan has taken special steps to provide tours for people visiting the mine area.
Himalayan salt mines appeared millions of years ago. Here we are talking about the Precambrian era, which refers to the time when the first multicellular life originated on this planet.
Geologists believe that due to the movement of tectonic plates, a huge sea was squeezed between huge mountains. This massive sea evaporated over time, leaving behind vast deposits of mineral-rich salt. This salt remained pure, protected by layers of earth; until discovered many, many millions of years later.
History and Origins of Himalayan Salt
As mentioned earlier, a mineral salt found in the Himalayan ranges . protected under thick layers of earth 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 mines, not knowing that he was about to make a great discovery. One of his army men noticed how the horses licked the rocks nearby with tenderness. The army man became curious, he licked the stone himself and found it salty. This is how Himalayan salt was discovered.
This magical pink salt has always been of great importance, and its value has changed from time to time. It was the main source of income for people living near the area where these mines are located today.
People in ancient times also used it as a currency. Since food can be stored for a longer period with this salt, people used it to preserve meat and fish, and also as an excellent commodity for exchange. In exchange for lumps of Himalayan salt, they received food or other necessities.
Himalayan salt is also widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Due to its health benefits, this salt was called «king’s salt», «salt of life» and «white gold» in ancient times.
Himalayan salt mining process
Over the years, the practice of Himalayan salt mining has undergone many changes and has been passed down from ruler to ruler.
The salt mines have endured some very dark days of oppression. Poor workers during the British rule were locked in the tunnels until they met a set quota of salt per day. The rules applied to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or health status. 12 protesting miners were brutally shot at the entrance to the salt mine. Their graves can be seen in the middle of the mine gate.
The last notable advance in the method of extracting rock salt was made during the British rule, when the scientist invented the technique of dooms and pillars. This ensures that the structure and stability of the salt mines will not be disturbed by the unimpeded extraction of salt.
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 been widely used ever since. The simple answer to your inquisitive mind is YES. Himalayan salt is very stable.
These salt mines were discovered hundreds of years ago, but six mines in the area contain huge reserves of this miraculous salt. The number is a little unclear, but it is estimated that the largest of the six mines alone, called the Khewra salt mine, contains almost 6.7 billion tons of this salt, of which only 220 million are currently available.
Chevra collects about 400,000 tons of salt annually. If these numbers scare you, let’s put it simply. If salt mining continues at current rates, provided none of the salt mines are expanded, there will easily be enough salt for another 550 years. If these mines are expanded, the supply of salt could be endless!
Environmental sustainability
To date, Himalayan salt is mined by hand from mines using the tried and tested doom and pole technique. This method ensures that the actual structure of the salt mines is not damaged. By following this method, only 50 percent of the salt in each «room» inside the mine is collected and removed. The remaining 50 percent is left as piers to support the structure of the rooms and the mountain.
We all know how harmful explosives and dynamites can be. Given this, the collection of Himalayan salt is carried out manually under strict control. The use of any explosives or dynamite is prohibited as it may affect the structure of the salt crystal.
Harvesting by hand is a slow process, but it ensures that the salt retains its purity until it reaches the consumer. To date, there have been no reports of any damage to wildlife or plants due to salt harvesting.
The collected lumps of salt are then transported to factories run by various merchants and salt producers. One of the leading Himalayan Pink Salt Producer in Pakistan is Ittefaq Salt .
The collected pieces of salt are then tested to remove any contaminants, contaminants or low quality crystals. The resulting salt is of the highest quality and contains no additives. This salt is then cut, shaped or ground as desired. Throughout the process, we make sure that the salt reaches the consumer as pure as it exists in nature.
Economic sustainability
In the area near the salt mines, salt is the main commodity of trade. People living nearby perceive it as one of the main and valuable agricultural products. These communities of people have been mining rock salt for generations. This is their main occupation and they play a vital role in enriching Pakistan’s past and present history and agriculture.
The extraction of natural rock salt contributes to the development of the country’s economy. It provides people with jobs. This miraculous salt is in great demand internationally as well. This gives a boost to the country’s international trade. Since Himalayan salt undoubtedly lasts almost forever, the economic benefits associated with it are also eternal.
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 elements. 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 the salt pink .
The trace elements present in Himalayan salt are basically minerals that are already present in our body and therefore our body knows what to do with them. Simply put, these minerals act as electrolytes that carry the electrical charge in our body from cell to cell and provide these cells with energy to perform their tasks.
Some have claimed high potassium content in Himalayan salt. From a scientific point of view, potassium and sodium interact closely with each other. When the body receives a lot of potassium, sodium stops the increase in blood pressure. In addition, studies have shown that increasing potassium intake is more effective in lowering blood pressure than reducing sodium intake.
Benefits and Uses of Himalayan Salt
The main reason for the growing popularity of Himalayan salt around the world is its many uses and benefits. Salt can be used in:
- Cooking as a dietary supplement
- serving dish
- Stove for cooking
- decorative detail
- Salt lamp
- salt sole
- Bath salts and spa baths
- Salt cave therapy for respiratory diseases
- Lick salt for animals
- Natural air purifier
Mineral rock salt is useful for:
- Balancing electromagnetic radiation
- Air purification
- Better breathing
- Increasing energy levels
- Respiratory care
- Great beauty product
Himalayan rock salt is by far the best thing to add to your lifestyle. Fill your homes with this gift of nature.
