Salt is one of the most important components of a survival pantry. A must-have for prepping food and cooking, this common seasoning can bring out the flavor of foods and even help you extend the shelf life of fresh foods in your stockpile.
But salt’s usefulness isn’t limited to the kitchen. In fact, you can use salt in a variety of ways and situations – from cleaning to supporting good health and maintaining hygiene – which is why preppers prioritize stocking up on this all-around survival item.
Like many commonly used items, salt comes in different varieties. But for preppers looking for a healthier alternative than table salt, unrefined salt like pink Himalayan salt is the best choice. Endowed with useful properties thanks to its mineral content, pink Himalayan salt is not only versatile but also cleaner and better for your health than regular table salt.
Advantages of Pink Himalayan Salt over other salts
Pink Himalayan salt, often called the “purest salt on Earth,” is sourced from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Punjab region in Pakistan, one of the largest salt mines in the world and the only place where naturally pink salt deposits are found. [1] Pink Himalayan salt is believed to have been formed millions of years ago via the evaporation of ancient bodies of water. [2]
Unlike regular table salt, which is heavily processed and mixed with anti-caking agents, pink Himalayan salt undergoes very minimal processing. [3] It is only harvested and washed by hand, which does not strip away its mineral content. Pink Himalayan salt is said to contain a combination of 84 trace minerals, including essential ones like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfur. [4]
Pink Himalayan salt also naturally contains iodine, although not as much as iodized salt. Its characteristic pink color, meanwhile, is thanks to the reaction between iron oxide and sodium chloride, or salt. Iron oxide is said to be present at high amounts in the Khewra Salt Mine. [5]
Apart from its mineral content, what makes pink Himalayan salt a better choice than other salts is its lower sodium content. One teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt contains only 1,680 milligrams (mg) of sodium, while the same amount of table salt and Kosher salt contains 2,325 mg and 1,800 mg of sodium, respectively.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day. [6] It’s important to watch your sodium intake because consuming too much can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, loss of bone calcium and stroke. [7] With its lower sodium but higher mineral content, pink Himalayan salt is perfect for making healthy, tasty and satisfying meals.
Using pink Himalayan salt instead of table salt can also do wonders for your health. Here are some benefits you can enjoy when you switch to this healthier alternative:*
- Supports optimal electrolyte balance – Sodium and chloride, which make up salt, are important electrolytes whose functions include allowing nutrients to be transported inside your cells and regulating the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells. [8] Unfortunately, you naturally lose electrolytes when you sweat and urinate. Having low electrolyte levels can cause fatigue, headaches and dehydration, which can lower your chance of survival when disaster strikes. [9] Seasoning your food with pink Himalayan salt, which contains many important electrolytes like sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium, is a great way to support healthy electrolyte levels and maintain optimal fluid balance.
- Supports healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range – High blood pressure, or hypertension, is dangerous and can lead to heart attack and stroke. [10] [11] Because pink Himalayan salt contains less sodium than table salt and even Kosher salt, pink Himalayan salt can help you support healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range.
- Supports optimal energy levels – When SHTF, you need to have your wits about you as well as plenty of energy. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates can give you long-lasting energy, while foods rich in electrolytes can support optimal electrolyte balance. Electrolyte balance is crucial for energy production and the normal functioning of your nerves and muscles, which allow you to move. [12]
- Supports healthy, glowing skin – Your skin is an important part of your body’s built-in defense system. In order to fulfill its functions, your skin needs ample hydration. The outermost layer of your skin, in particular, needs sufficient moisture to stay smooth and elastic. [13] Because electrolytes help your skin retain water, you need to maintain healthy electrolyte levels. Adding pink Himalayan salt to your diet is a great way to support healthy electrolyte levels, which can help keep your skin healthy and glowing.
10 Survival uses of Pink Himalayan Salt
Besides being a healthy alternative to table salt, pink Himalayan salt is well-suited for other uses. Here are 10 uses for pink Himalayan salt in a survival situation that shows its value as a survival item:
For preserving food
Fresh produce is the most nutritious food you can add to your food stockpile. Unfortunately, most don’t last very long in storage. But you can prolong the shelf life of fresh produce and make it tastier in the process by using an ancient food preservation technique called salting.
Bacteria that cause food spoilage need moisture to grow. [14] Because salt can draw out all the moisture in food, you can effectively prevent bacteria from spoiling food by salting. This is why dry-salted strips of meat, vegetables and fish can be stored for long periods.
What’s more, salt has the ability to kill some types of bacteria by sucking out their water content through a process known as osmosis. [15] If you use pink Himalayan salt for food preservation, you won’t have to worry about adding too much sodium to your diet.
For making an emergency rehydration fluid
Thanks to its abundance of mineral electrolytes, pink Himalayan salt is the perfect ingredient for making an emergency rehydration fluid that can help restore proper electrolyte balance. To prepare, simply dissolve half a teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt and six teaspoons of organic sugar in four cups of water.
You can also use pink Himalayan salt to make a solution that can help cleanse your colon and support bowel movement. To prepare, dissolve two teaspoons of pink Himalayan salt in four cups (1 quart) of warm water. You can add lemon juice to improve the taste. This solution should be taken on an empty stomach. [16]
For making a saline solution to clean wounds
Another useful solution you can make with pink Himalayan salt is a saline solution for cleaning wounds. This solution is non-toxic, isotonic and does not damage healing tissues. [17] To prepare, dissolve 10 grams of pink Himalayan salt in one liter of clean water and use it to clean open wounds. Remember that applying raw salt directly to your wound is not advisable.
For preparing a relaxing salt bath
Soaking in a salt bath may sound like a luxury, but it serves many purposes. Besides helping your body rest and relax, a warm Himalayan salt bath can help soothe sore and tired muscles, as well as help your skin retain moisture. According to a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, soaking in a warm bath can also help reduce stressful feelings and fatigue. [18]
For enhancing the flavor and mineral content of food
As discussed earlier, pink Himalayan salt is the purest salt on the planet and definitely one of the healthiest. Because it contains up to 84 trace minerals and less sodium than table salt, using pink Himalayan salt to season your food is better for your overall health.
For maintaining healthy oral hygiene
Even in a survival scenario, it’s not good to neglect your oral health. Studies have linked poor oral/dental health to serious problems like heart complications, stroke and respiratory issues, just to name a few. [19] In addition, you wouldn’t want to deal with an aching tooth at any given time, much less during an emergency.
Luckily, maintaining good oral hygiene is quite easy if you have pink Himalayan salt on hand. If you ever run out of toothpaste, you can make your own by dissolving pink Himalayan salt and baking soda in a small amount of water. [20][21]
You can also use pink Himalayan salt to make a mouth rinse that can help keep your breath fresh. To prepare, simply add two to three teaspoons of the salt into a glass of lukewarm water. Swish the solution around your mouth for at least ten seconds then spit it out. [22]
If you have a minor sore throat, gargling with a solution made of ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt dissolved in a cup of warm water is also a great way to sooth your throat. [23]
For making an effective pest control spray
Spider mites are tick-like bugs that emerge in spring to feast on plants. These common garden pests reproduce quickly and can cause serious infestation in a matter of weeks if left to their own devices. [24] If you rely on your garden for food or medicine, you’d want to get rid of these bugs immediately.
You can make an effective bug spray that won’t harm your plants by mixing two tablespoons of pink Himalayan salt with one gallon of water. For easy usage, transfer this solution into a bottle and spray infected areas. [25] This bug spray also works on ants, snails and slugs. [26]
For making a non-toxic cleaner
Pink Himalayan salt is a great ingredient for making non-toxic cleaning solutions that you can use in your home. For instance, a mixture of salt and lemon juice is said to be effective for removing mildew from your sink, tiles and shower area. You can also sprinkle your pans with salt before washing them to get rid of tough-to-remove grease. [27]
For purifying the air
Pink Himalayan salt has natural hygroscopic properties, meaning it tends to absorb moisture from the air. You can take advantage of this and purify the air in your home by making a salt lamp using pink Himalayan salt.
Himalayan salt lamps work by allowing pink Himalayan salt to attract and absorb water molecules and whatever air particles are attached to them. As the light bulb inside the lamp warms up the salt, the water absorbed by the salt crystals evaporates back into the air, leaving the foreign particles trapped in the salt. [28]
For bartering
Salt is an important commodity that people can’t do without. In a post-SHTF world, salt will be an invaluable item to have in abundance because, apart from its many uses, you can use it to barter for supplies that you need.
Where to get lab-verified, certified Kosher Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan salt is a survival item worth stocking up on because of its many uses and health benefits. Not only is it useful for bringing out the flavor of food, but it’s also great for preserving food, replenishing lost electrolytes, making cleaning solutions, and more.
When stored properly, pink Himalayan salt can last for years without degrading or losing its flavor. This makes it all the more valuable as a bartering item and an excellent all-around item to have in times of emergency.
If you’re looking to add pink Himalayan salt to your survival stockpile, the Health Ranger Store is offering Health Ranger Select Fine Ground Pink Himalayan Salt. This healthy alternative to table salt contains an abundance of trace minerals and important electrolytes that can help you maintain optimal energy levels and fluid balance.
Health Ranger Select Fine Ground Pink Himalayan Salt is sourced from ancient salt deposits located deep inside the Himalayan Mountains using traditional room and pillar mining. Clean and minimally processed, the harvested salt crystals also undergo thorough inspection and lab testing to ensure our product’s high quality and safety.
Health Ranger Select Fine Ground Pink Himalayan Salt is vegan and certified Kosher and does not contain GMOs, gluten, anti-caking agents, other additives or processing aids. Like all products you’ll find at the Health Ranger Store, our fine ground pink Himalayan salt is also meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Be prepared for any survival situation by stocking up on essentials like clean, versatile and healthy pink Himalayan salt today!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[2] https://www.healthline.com
[3] https://foodsafetyhelpline.com
[4] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[5] https://www.integrativenutrition.com
[7] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
[10] https://www.mayoclinic.org
[11] https://www.frontiersin.org
[12] https://www.roswellpark.org
[14] https://www.thesaltvalley.com
[15] https://www.sciencefocus.com
[16] https://www.healthline.com
[17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[19] https://www.marshfieldclinic.org
[20] https://www.survivalfrog.com
[21] https://www.crdentalgroup.com
[22] https://www.sutherlanddental.com.au
[23] https://www.prevention.com
[24] https://www.gardendesign.com
[25] https://topbest.ph
