SALTSymptoms such as digestive issues/constipation, low energy/fatigue, too much or dried mucous (congestion), and, over time, osteoporosis and other issues could be connected to a lack of good usable organic sodium. Society has been so conditioned to lower salt intake that the message of good salt and how much we need it for good health has been totally lost.
Salt is NOT Bad for Us?!
Table salt: the Poison PillWhen table salt is chemically cleaned and processed, the trace minerals and electrolytes that naturally occur in unrefined salt are removed as if they were impurities. Chemically processed table salt is inorganic, which means that the chemical bonds are so strong that it can't be easily broken down or metabolized by our bodies. When you take in an inorganic mineral, your body will either store them or eliminate them. In this case, when you take in table salt your body sees it as a poison and tries to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
How does it do that? It is forced to take water from our healthy cells to surround it and as a result, you retain water and kill off healthy cells. Consumption of table salt increases blood pressure, and leads to a number of disorders such as edema (water retention) and excess fluid in the tissues (i.e. cellulite).
How Is Unrefined Salt Different?Think of a diamond. A diamond started as coal, but this coal was subjected to intense pressure over millions of years and as a result the diamond was formed. Salt that has been subjected to this same pressure eventually becomes crystal salt. Our bodies can easily absorb the crystalline structure of salt because our blood has a crystalline structure. As an added benefit, the trace elements trapped within crystal salt are in particles small enough to penetrate human cells for optimal metabolism. So while there are many types of unrefined salts to choose from, crystal salt is my favorite. Many types of sea salts are also beneficial, but due to the pollution of our oceans, and for a variety of other reasons, many sea salt producers are starting to refine their salt.
How Many Different Kinds of Unrefined Salts Are Out There?Himalayan Crystal Salt: the best crystal salt comes from the Himalayan Mountains. It is generally pink-ish in color and you can find it at most health food stores. Try to purchase fair trade crystal salt.
Celtic Salt: this is a sea salt that contains all of the trace minerals and more and it is grey and clumpy. You can certainly find it at most health food stores.
Black Salt: this is an example of an unrefined salt that is not tasty. It smells like sulfur and is pink in color. You can usually find it at an Asian or Indian supermarket. It is beneficial because it is very cleansing in nature. It tastes terrible in water, but disappears in food, so if you are trying to cleanse your body of toxins, this is a good one to use. There are other salts that are called "black salt" and are black in color as well, but these salts do not have the sulfur smell or flavor. Some examples are "Black Lava sea salt", "Black Hawaiian sea salt" or "Hiwa Kai" Some black salts are blended with activated charcoal.
Note: please store your salt in glass not metal as metal changes the chemical composition of salt. It is best to use a ceramic grinder because most unrefined salts are clumpy or in larger chunks.
4 Ways to Use SaltInternally as sole: for electrolytes and to liquefy plaque (which is dried mucous) in your intestines.
Externally as sole: in a neti pot to cleanse the nasal passages which helps heal a wide variety of ailments including allergies and sleep apnea.
Externally for bathing: (any unrefined sea salt is acceptable) to pull toxins from the tissues, especially when mixed with baking soda and Epsom Salt. Add at least a cup of each to your bath water and soak for at least 30 minutes.
Externally in scrubs: (any unrefined sea salt is acceptable) to stimulate the lymphatic system and reduce edema.