Sea salt
Synopsis of sea salt
Sea salt is a natural crystalline substance derived from the evaporation of seawater. Unlike refined table salt, which is heavily processed and stripped of trace minerals, sea salt typically retains a spectrum of micronutrients, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, and various trace elements that occur naturally in ocean water. Its composition varies slightly depending on its origin—such as the Mediterranean, Celtic regions, or Himalayan salt flats (though the latter is technically mined, not evaporated). Sea salt’s mineral complexity and lack of chemical additives make it popular in culinary, therapeutic, and wellness applications.
In medicinal and herbal contexts, sea salt is valued for its electrolyte-balancing properties and its role in cellular hydration, nerve conduction, and muscle function. It’s commonly used in natural therapies such as saltwater gargles (for sore throats), saline nasal rinses (for sinus congestion), salt scrubs (for skin exfoliation), and mineral baths (to relax muscles and soothe the skin). When dissolved in warm water and ingested in small amounts, sea salt is sometimes used to support digestion, adrenal function, and natural detoxification.
Historical Use:
Sea salt has been revered across civilizations for millennia as both a dietary staple and a medicinal resource. In Ancient Egypt, salt was not only essential for food preservation but also featured in religious rituals and embalming practices. The Greeks and Romans recognized salt’s value for health and vitality, with Hippocrates recommending saltwater baths and inhalations to treat respiratory and skin conditions.
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, natural salt (such as Saindhava Lavana) was prescribed for digestive balance, electrolyte restoration, and respiratory cleansing. Similarly, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, salt has been used to soften hardness (such as in swollen glands or nodules), clear heat, and guide herbs to the kidneys.
Throughout the Middle Ages and into modern naturopathy, warm saltwater has been used to clean wounds, relieve oral infections, and purify the body. Salt therapy, or halotherapy, gained prominence in Eastern Europe in the 19th century when workers in salt mines were noted to have fewer respiratory ailments. This led to the creation of salt rooms for natural lung therapy, a practice that continues today.
Sea salt is used for these health conditions
Abrasions (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Athletic and Exercise Aids (Scientific)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Scientific)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Dehydration (Scientific)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Infection (Traditional)
Infection (bacterial) (Traditional)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Sinus Infection (Scientific)
Skin (dry and/or flaky) (Traditional)
Skin Care (general) (Traditional)
Sunburn (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
sea salt is used to support these body systems
Adrenal Cortex (Traditional)
Adrenal Glands (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
