Himalayan pink salt is mined in the Himalayan mountains of northern Pakistan. This salt, which sometimes has a reddish hue due to trace minerals, is mainly employed as a food seasoning or substitute for refined table salt, particularly to replace regular table salt in cooking and other applications, but is also used in spa treatments and decorative lighting. It is believed that salt blocks are the most accessible mineral source and because of this, Himalayan salt becomes especially popular. Himalayan salt comes from the deposits of sulfur crystals that grow in clusters on mountains in the high altitudes of the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range. Crystals range in color from light orange to pale pink.
Although the quality of the salt varies according to the mine, it is sold in different forms. There is Himalayan sea salt, which is harvested from seawater. It is said to be the purest Himalayan salt and can hold the highest mineral content. There are also products that are artificially treated with other materials such as iodine, aluminum oxide, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride.
Khewra salt or red table salt is a product of India. It is used in baking recipes and has a rich flavor as a substitute for table salt. Many non-Indian ethnic food stores sell it as Himalayan salt and it comes in a variety of different forms such as cakes, cookies, candies, or pickles. Most Indian ethnic food stores sell it in a pasteurized pack so that the salt doesn't lose its texture and mineral content.
As far as salt's effects on human health are concerned, it has beneficial effects on the heart, muscles, and blood vessels. It may lower high blood pressure and thus may help in preventing cardiovascular diseases. A study about Himalayan salt's effects on hypertension showed that it reduces the pressure of the arteries by as much as 4%, which is very significant.
Himalayan pink salt lamps have recently caught the attention of many people due to their unique properties. These lamps are believed to produce positive ionization, a health effect wherein negative ions are replaced by positive ones. These ions are good for the health of the arteries. The salt lamp is supposed to create negative ions because it absorbs energy from the environment and converts it into heat. This causes the sodium in the lamp to become negatively charged. The negative ions that are released by this procedure have a strong positive charge, which is good for the human body.
In addition to this, Himalayan salt has also been linked to lowering blood pressure, reducing stomach infections and curing asthma and improving fertility, and lowering cholesterol. Its use dates back to ancient times and has been used both for medical and culinary purposes. Some of its most prized recipes include those for treating edemas, anemia, ulcerative colitis, beriberi, hepatitis, aphthous stomatitis, rheumatism, chronic sinusitis, cramps, varicose veins, and kidney stones.
A variety of websites are now selling this salt on the internet, which is why it is important for consumers to learn more about the healing effects of Himalayan salt. The salt's effects are attributed to its sea salt content. Sea salt has its own set of benefits. It is used in food preparations, and even as a natural disinfectant. Its use in making cookware is still controversial. The controversy is due to the presence of sodium chloride, a substance found in sea salt which is believed to cause high blood pressure.
Today, Himalayan salt has been widely recognized for its health claims and for its trace minerals. The Himalayan people have long known about the many benefits that their salt can bring. It is only now that the western world is taking note of this fact and starting to promote this type of treatment and products.