Rock salt (pink salt)is highly regarded in Ayurveda, a system of alternative medicine that comes from India. Rock Salt (called as Sendha Namak in Hindi and Saindhava Lavana in Sanskrit) is naturally occurring mineral form and isometric crystals of Sodium Chloride. It’s also called halite, saindhava lavana. Sendha namak, a type of salt, is formed when salt water from a sea or lake evaporates and leaves behind colorful crystals of sodium chloride.
HISTORY
Himalayan Pink Salt was formed over 250 million years ago during the Jurassic era. Pink Himalayan salt is a pink-colored salt extracted from the Khewra Salt Mine, which is located near the Himalayas in Pakistan. The Khewra Salt Mine is one of the oldest and largest salt mines in the world. The pink Himalayan salt accumulated from this mine is trusted to have been formed millions of years ago from the evaporation of age-old bodies of water. The early sea beds where this salt is mined were once covered by lava. The lava prevented toxins and other contaminant from reaching the salt. Because of this natural protection, it was believed that Himalayan Pink Salt is the purest salt on earth.
It is estimated to contain up to 84 different minerals and trace elements. It’s characteristic pink color come from these minerals, particularly iron. The salt is hand-extracted and minimally processed to yield an additive free product and more natural than table salt. Like table salt, pink Himalayan salt is mostly comprised of sodium chloride. However, the natural harvesting process allows pink Himalayan salt to possess many other minerals and trace elements that are not found in regular table salt.
| Minerals | (mg) |
| Potassium | 2.8 |
| Magnesium | 1.06 |
| Iron | 0.0369 |
| Calcium | 1.6 |
| Sodium | 368 |
BENEFITS OF SENDHA NAMAK
FAT BURNER
It improves metabolism in the body and slow down cravings for foods. The fat burner property of rock salt is because of trace minerals present in it. Its effect on eliminating fat is not remarkable, but you can use it as supportive remedy in weight loss. It also helps to remove dead fat cells.
PINK SALT GARGLING
Pink salt water gargling helps to mitigate sore throat , soothing dry cough, reducing redness and pain of the throat. It heals better for patients with asthma, bronchitis and frequent upper respiratory tract infections. Pink Himalayan salt was used by ancient Greeks for clearing airways and improving breathing. Himalayan salt lamps are being used to remove dust, pollen, smoke, and other contaminants that could increase the risk of respiratory problems.
HELPS FOR BETTER DIGESTION
Sendha Namak aids in digestion problems. It can be used as a natural replacement for laxatives. It also reduces heartburn, removes gas, and improves digestion. Pink Himalayan salt can also help peristalsis (muscle contraction that moves food through the digestive tract). It helps regulate metabolism and promotes acid-alkaline balance.
SKIN HEALTH
It helps to purify the skin in an effective way. Sendha Namak flushes out the dead skin cells and protects all the layers of the skin. This results in blooming and youthful skin.It also makes the skin tissues clear and soft, making it look firm and young. Massaging Sendha Namak on your skin can cleanse your skin and can eliminate all the dead skin cells .
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMMON SALT AND ROCK SALT(PINK SALT)
Common salt is prepared from the sea or brackish(saline) lake water, that go through processing in a machine. Rock salt is mined from salt range mountains thus it is completely natural.
Common salt contains 97% sodium chloride while 3% other ingredients are added during refining. Iodine is the main ingredient added to eliminate the possibility of goiter disease.
The rock salt is coarse and is found underside the earth. It contains about 85% sodium chloride, whereas the remaining 15% contains at least 84 types of elements including minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, iodine, manganese, magnesium, selenium etc. These minerals are highly favourable for the body.
CAN WE USE ROCK SALT DAILY?
Rock salt also contains a minute amount of iodine. Unless you have iodine deficiency, you can completely shift to rock salt without any problem. Make sure to use in moderation. Moderation is the key for any food.Since rock salt is relatively low in iodine, it may not be an alternative to iodized salt if you have an iodine deficiency. However, considering its huge health benefits, it is ideal to blend an equal proportion of rock salt with iodised salt in meals if you are having iodine deficiency. It is good to consult your physician before switching to rock salt.
WHY IT IS IN PINK COLOUR?
You may wonder of its pink colour. There are no added substances in Himalayan salt. It is pink in colour due to the presence of various mineral  like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron. Table salt contains additives like anti-caking agents and is processed to get rid of impurities, whereas Himalayan salt is not processed.Â
SPIRITUALITY
You must have known that during festivals and fasting, people prefer using rock salt instead of the regular salt. Have you ever thought why is it so? It is the purest form of salt as it is free from chemicals. Rock salt helps in regulating the blood circulation and it also cleanses the blood by removing harmful toxins from it. During Navratri and fastings, it is traditionally used to cook foods as it is light and easy to digest. Sendha Namak helps in maintaining a healthy balance of electrolytes in the body.Â
BEWARE
Sendha Namak should not be consumed in quantities which exceed more than 6 grams per day because of the high sodium content in it. Too much sodium content is not good to the body.
Himalayan Salt might be a good alternative over table salt due to its high potassium and magnesium content. However, it is also high in sodium content, which is not good for people with high blood pressure. Consult the physician in case of any other health issues.
TAKE AWAY
Consuming too much pink salt can result in side effects. It is essential to keep all the possible risks in mind and take salt in moderation. Himalayan pink salt is a naturally pink coloured salt that is mined in Pakistan near the Himalayan Mountains of South Asia. Himalayan pink salt is being used as an alternative to table salt due to its health benefits. Pink Himalayan salt has superior mineral content compared to table or sea salt.Â