‘There must be something strangely sacred about salt. It is in our tears and in the sea.’
Khalil Gibran in Sand and Foam.

Can you imagine life without salt? It’s in us, and all around us in the air and in the ground.
Anyone who walks beside the ocean, enjoying that bracing sea air, knows the subsequent feeling of good health. The iodine and ozone in the sea air exert natural antibiotic actions, and negative ions give the air its invigorating freshness. Some research suggests that negative ions balance serotonin levels in our bloodstream, leading to greater alertness and stability. So one simple way to get some extra salt, and great exercise, is by walking along the beach, swinging your arms, and taking in big lungfuls of health-giving air.

Create a personal “salt spa”
The ancient Greeks recommended seaside health resorts to cure skin diseases, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that doctors from Bad Nauheim, Germany, introduced a salt-bath therapy, a precursor of today’s spa. The anti-inflammatory action of salt aided in healing skin diseases, and gave relief to the joint pain of rheumatic sufferers.

Soothing salt bath
Relax after a busy day and use this simple recipe for a de-stressing soak. Dissolve two cups of Epsom salts in warm bath water, scented with 20 drops of essential oil of peppermint or eucalyptus. Light candles, play gentle music, and enjoy! The magnesium sulfates in the Epsom salts relax muscles, while the oils invigorate a tired mind.

Salt “glow” body scrub
Reward yourself after a sweaty, strength-sapping workout with a body scrub. In a wide-mouthed jar, mix two cups of Epsom salts with four cups of grape seed, apricot, avocado, or almond oil, and scent with 20 drops of essential oil. Run a warm bath, step in – but don’t lie down yet. Take a loofah, and gently massage the “glow” mixture into your skin. Begin at the feet, work upward in a circular motion, avoiding scratched or wounded areas. When you have massaged your entire body, lie down in the water and relax. After towelling dry in a big fluffy towel, enjoy the warming glow of your skin.

Salt crystal lamp
A lamp made of a salt crystal and lit from within by a bulb emits negative ions. The lamp gives off a relaxing, peach-coloured glow, and helps reduce the surplus of positive ions that are produced by computers. (Search the Internet for sources, or ask at your local health food store about suppliers.)

Salt tissue therapy
If you’re suffering from loss of appetite, loss of weight, or the common cold, biochemical salt tissue therapy can help replenish your body’s salt supply, correcting imbalances or deficiencies. Based on the 12 mineral salts found in our tissues, these therapeutic products are usually available from health food stores or a naturopathic practitioner.