This precious salt is mined in several parts of the world, but the largest deposits are found in the Great Himalayan Mountains. The name "Himalayan" derives from the fact that it is derived from the soil in the Himalayan mountain range.
Although it's mined from the ground in the mountains, most of the salt used is separated from the deposits by two processes: crushing and salting. It's best to purchase this salt as a bulk salt, rather than in a crystal form, because the small crystals give it a grainy texture. This texture is most enjoyable when used in cooking and other forms of food preparation.
Himalayan pink salt is famous for its distinctive characteristics and has been used for several thousand years by the native people of the region in India and Nepal. This earthy substance has been used for thousands of years to heal injuries, to ward off bacteria and to reduce the damaging effects of UV radiation.
It has the ability to combine with other minerals to create unique properties that help it to be useful in a wide variety of medical applications. In addition to using it for food preparation, Himalayan salt is used in medicine and cosmetics, as well as in industrial processes such as mining. In fact, it's used in some areas in the Himalayas for other minerals compounds that are also extremely beneficial for the human body.
The medicinal uses of Himalayan salt come from the fact that it contains substances such as calcium carbonate, which has been proven to improve blood circulation. Another type of mineral that can be found in it is selenium, which helps to maintain healthy skin.
Himalayan salt is also popular for the hair and skin care products that it's available in. Because it contains magnesium, which is an essential trace mineral, many skin and hair care products to use it as one of their primary ingredients. With the unique properties of Himalayan salt, the list of skin and hair care products that use it grows longer every year.
Although there are many forms of Himalayan salt, the kind that's used in mining is called "black brine." It's formed by heating excess water in a closed system with a very high concentration of magnesium, sodium and potassium. Since this water eventually evaporates, it forms the brine.
The mineral-rich salt is so pure that it's perfectly safe for consumption, unlike all the other forms of Himalayan salt. Not only is it naturally purified and environmentally safe, but it's also completely free of any foreign materials that could potentially cause illness or harm.
The Himalayan salt found in some regions of the world is mined from a different area altogether. Those found in that area are referred to as "purified" salts.
Both purified and purifier salts have been proven to help prevent a number of ailments. For example, purifier salts contain sodium, while purifying salts contain chloride.
The Himalayan salt used in the mining industry can also be used in various home remedies. For example, the salt acts as a natural astringent, helping to absorb moisture and keep the skin moisturized.
When used in food preparation, Himalayan salt is considered a natural source of iodine. Studies have shown that iodine deficiency is a contributing factor in the onset of the thyroid condition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
