L for Lavana : Salt Therapy

Nelson Mandela once famously said : “Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all” 

To equate salt with other essential commodities shows how important it is to human life. So let’s get down to the best ways of using it.

The Indian kitchen is governed by the Ayurvedic outlook of ‘Panchaka Lavana’ or the 5 salts - what are they ? And how to use them?

1. Common salt : Let’s start with the basic one. Common salt is your most powerful source of Iodine and hence it holds an important place in your food system. A lot of people try and replace this with other salts like rock salt, while it is good once in a while, unless your diet has a good amount of sea-food, I wouldn’t recommend it.

2. Saindhaka Lavana or Rock Salt : So why did this type of salt gain prominence? It is a powerful source of minerals and seen as an important part of a ‘fasting’ ritual. The main reason is because its mineral composition helps electrolyte balance. Recommend using it 2-3 times a week for benefit.

3. Black Salt or Kala Lavana : This is powerfully anti-bloating and anti-spasmodic. Normally it is had with buttermilk, or over fruits, or added in sherbats. It works very well in unison with jeera powder, rock sugar and black pepper. For bloating, it can be combined with asafoetida in buttermilk.

4. Himalayan Pink Salt : A rich source of minerals, pahadi namak is used for its distinct flavor and has taken over the igram because of its colour. It is used in conjunction with kala namak, rock salt in many anti-inflammatory recipes like Haldi rice. You can add it over snacks such as roasted makhana or home-made namkeen to reap benefits.

5. Sambar Lavana : This 5th type is only sourced from the bed of the sambar lake. It is said to have healing properties and to be used in the manuacture of ayurvedic medication. It is rare to find and they say now that it is probably not as powerful as before with the changing environmental conditions.

In the modern hypermarket - there are now exotic salts like French Fleur de Sel, Cyprus Black Lava Salt, Hawaiian Black Flake Salt and so many more. Which one should you buy?

The local salt bed has the most relevant minerals for your body, and so from a functionality perspective, that’s what you need. From a gourmet perspective - the texture and flavour will vary, although most people will only be able to tell a difference if they have cultivated that taste. You don’t need to include anything more than the 5 above if you’re based in India.

Salt Scrub for Pain Relief and Anti-inflammation :

1. 1 cup salt

2. 1 cup coconut oil

3. 2 tsp dried tulsi

4. 2-3 drops of orange and lavendar essential oil

Mix together and apply to de-stress, especially powerful for redness, dry-skin, eczema and sore joints and muscles.

Salt Water Dips for Joint Health and Skin Health

1. Warm water

2. 2-3 heaps of salt

3. Lavendar essential oil

You can use this if you are facing swelling, corn on your feet, for general relaxation and overall foot health.

Follow it up with a rub of ghee using the back of a kansa bowl. It instantly relaxes. The salt in the water releases any inflammation and it a great practice once in every few weeks.

Salt Pack for Back Pain

1. 1 cup salt

2. 4-5 tbsp of turmeric

3. Heat it up till it is really hot.

4. Take a muslin cloth, pour the mixture and tie it up. Use it carefully over sore muscles and joints.

5. You need a muslin cloth because you essentially want the salt to be able to fall through gently and on your skin. This is a powerful remedy and over a few weeks can help tremendously.

Have you tried salt-therapy, yet?