A Little Bit About Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is a type of sea salt that is formed due to the evaporation of seawater. It is mined manually at the foothills of the Himalayas Mountains in Pakistan. This wonder salt is the result of the evaporation of ancient oceans about 250 million years ago near the Himalayas Mountains.
Since the salt beds were covered by lava for millions of years, it helped keep all the environmental pollutants out, for the salt to remain in its natural, pure, and pristine condition.
Today, the Himalayan salt is being actively mined to be sold in the market as edible salt, salt lamps, household products, cosmetic products, and more. The salt comes in various colors like orange, pink, and white. The color of Himalayan salt is defined by the number of trace minerals present in it. The trace minerals include iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and many more.
It is said that Himalayan salt contains around 84 minerals which make it better than other types of salts. While Himalayan salt is similar to the regular table salt in terms of chemical composition – both contain sodium chloride as the main component. Table salt contains around 97 to 99% sodium chloride while Himalayan pink salt contains 95% to 98% of it. The remaining part is composed of trace minerals that distinguish it as being healthier.
Did you know that Himalayan rock salt is used in baths for its magnificent health benefits? Mineral baths of all kinds have always been popular in all eras for hundreds of years. Mineral salt baths can soothe the body and can offer relief for several conditions. Let’s explore how the Himalayan salt bath can refresh, restore, and rejuvenate our bodies.
Salt Bath History
Early records show the medicinal use of bath salts by the Chinese in 2700 B.C. The Greeks continued this during the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. Hippocrates, commonly known as the father of medicine, noticed the healing powers of salt when it was found to smooth the fisherman’s hands. It was found that salt had the natural ability to disinfect and reduce cracks of rough skin.
Himalayan salt is mined from Khewra salt mines in Pakistan and used as edible salt and bath salt worldwide. Because of its history of preservation and development underground, Himalayan salt has a high potency of minerals.
Bathing in Himalayan bath salt allows the minerals to be absorbed through the skin which offers a quicker and enhanced way to experience the positive effects of the trace minerals present in the salt.
Did you know that Himalayan salt also generates negative ions which means that it can create a chemical reaction leading to the excretion of serotonin? Breathing in negative ions or absorbing them through salt baths can balance the pH level of the body and remove toxins from our tissues and cells. Therefore, using Himalayan salt for the bath is an excellent way to detoxify and relax your body.
Himalayan Salt Bath Benefits
All of these wonderful characteristics of Himalayan salt baths offer several benefits to one’s body and mind. When one immerses in the Himalayan salt bath, the mind can feel relieved because the brain produces stress-relieving hormones. The endorphin-boosting effects can be felt instantly.
Adding Himalayan salt to your bath will make you feel that you are sitting in your little spa and being pampered. That will energize you and will have a stimulating effect as you soak peacefully in the refreshing and rejuvenating natural Himalayan salt bath detox.
Most of the salt bath benefits for the mind come from the physical effects the pink Himalayan bath salt has on the body. Minerals like magnesium can work wonders for relieving pain and inflammation in the body. It can improve the blood circulation in the body and hence remove the cramps from muscles and refresh the cells.
Breathing the salt-rich vapor from the Himalayan bath salt can also positively affect the body. The negative ions can cleanse the respiratory system and relieve those who suffer from asthma, colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Himalayan salt is also used in baths to prevent viruses from infecting the body by acting as a natural disinfectant.
The Himalayan salt benefits for the outer body are just as great. Himalayan salt can restore the skin by removing dead skin cells and getting absorbed deeply in the inner layers of skin as a defensive shield. As soon as you soak into a warm Himalayan salt bath and begin scrubbing, your skin will open pores to release all the built-up chemicals, pollutants, and other toxins.
Pink Himalayan salt bath benefits are truly wondrous. Himalayan salt bath can heal body wounds due to its healing properties. It restores even the tiny cracks in the skin and makes it softer while reducing the scars and aging spots. It helps retain the moisture and hydrates the skin – leaving you to feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and restored.
Mineral baths like Himalayan salt baths are known to show benefits for people with eczema and psoriasis. The salt bath helps in reducing irritation, redness, and scaling.
According to the National Eczema Association, adding salt to your bath can reduce the stinging on the skin caused by water during a flare-up.
If anyone is suffering from bug bites, a warm salt bath can help soothe the itchiness and reduce the swelling.
Although marketers claim Himalayan salt bath weight loss benefits, no scientific studies have been able to prove it.
Recipe For Himalayan Salt Bath
The Himalayan salt bath recipe is quite simple. You can prepare a soothing Himalayan salt bath by collecting warm water in a tub and mixing Himalayan salt crystals in it till they are completely dissolved.
Use ⅛ cup of salt for each gallon of water. A regular bathtub can hold around 35 gallons of water so you will need around 1 ounce of salt for each gallon. This will be equal to about 2 pounds of pink Himalayan salt.
It is important to dissolve the salt completely and evenly in your bath to get the maximum benefits. Stir the water to break up salt crystals so that they can dissolve completely. This may take some time. Sometimes the salt will collect at the bottom of the tub so make sure you stir that too.
Add essential oils like lavender to create even more benefits in your Himalayan salt bath. It will help increase the aromatherapy and relaxation benefits. A few drops should be enough.
How To Prepare And Enjoy A Himalayan Salt Bath?
Taking a Himalayan salt bath calls for some essential steps. Before dipping and soaking into a warm Himalayan salt bath, you might want to take a regular shower so that all the dirt and grime from the body are cleansed out.
Once you have taken a quick shower, you can tie up your hair with a sturdy clip. Collect water to fill your tub. Make sure the water is warm enough to create perspiration on the skin. This will help in opening the pores of the skin so that toxins can be released. Once the tub is full of water, mix in 2 pounds of Himalayan salt. The quality of Himalayan pink rock salt is very important which is why you should only buy from trusted vendors.
Stir the salt till it is dissolved completely. You can then add a few drops of essential oil like lavender or rose. Light some candles and play music so that you can relax even more. Then you can step into your warm Himalayan salt bath and sit back, close your eyes, and think positive thoughts.
Allow soaking in the bath for at least 30 minutes. In the end, you can also take some salt crystals and scrub your body to reveal soft, supple skin. You can gently rub the salt into your skin in a circular motion and focus especially on the dry areas of the body: elbows, knees, and soles of the feet. The Himalayan salt detox bath will hydrate the skin.
A Quick Himalayan Salt Foot Bath
You can also try a quick Himalayan salt foot bath before you decide to soak into a full-fledged spa-like salt bath at home. You can prepare a soothing foot soak by mixing 1/8 cup of pink rock salt crystals in a small tub of warm water.
Simply submerge your tired feet in the salt solution. You will feel the instant relief and softening of calloused heels. Soak the feet for 20 minutes in the Himalayan salt foot bath. Read a good book or listen to your favorite music while you do so to feel relaxed.
After the bath, scrub the foot heels with a scrubber to reveal soft supple skin. You will feel rejuvenated and ready for another day’s chores. If you take a footbath before going to bed, it will help you fall asleep quickly and deeply.
Himalayan Salt Bath In Routine
Pink Himalayan bath salt should be incorporated into our routine because of its well-known wellness benefits. The daily fatigue, stress, and causes of anxiety can be battled with a natural, relaxing Himalayan salt bath at home.
Taking time to pamper and look after yourself promotes good health and a sense of well-being. To make this happen, stock up on the high-quality Himalayan bath salt so that whenever you wish to have a spa-like Himalayan salt bath, you don’t have to think twice.
