Salt is one of the many substances that humans depend upon, not only for its taste but also for its health benefits and its ability to preserve food. The Indian black salt, also known as 'Kala Namak', is a popular variety of Indian volcanic stone salts. It is used extensively in India, Pakistan and internationally, by those who know how to make proper use of its benefits. Its unusual color comes from the presence of tiny amounts of iron and other minerals.
This unique salt is found in the Himalayan mountain ranges, and has some excellent health benefits that you really should know about. In India, black salt is often prescribed for patients with high blood pressure or those who require a low-salt diet. Why? Because black salt is low on sodium, and so doesn't raise the blood pressure as normal salt does. It is also a popular treatment for heartburn and intestinal gas. In short, it provides a boost to the digestive system. Read on to learn about all of the wonderful benefits black salt has to offer.
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1. Types of Black Salt
2. What Is Black Salt Composed Of?
3. How Is Black Salt Produced?
4. Black Salt's Health Benefits
5. Using Black Salt For Healthy Hair
6. Using Black Salt for Smooth Skin
7. Cooking With Black Salt
8. Black Salt Recipes
9. Other Facts About Salt
There are actually 3 distinct types of black salt – Indian black salt, black lava salt, and black ritual salt – all of which are very different from one another. First of all, there is Indian black salt (kala namak), which has an incredible amount of uses, and which shall be the sole focus of this guide.
Then there’s black lava salt, which is black in color due to it being a mixture of regular sea salt and activated charcoal. It is typically used by chefs to finish meals, since it has quite a particularly earthy flavor, and is often labeled as Hawaiian black salt.
Finally, there’s black ritual salt, which is used in Wiccan spells and rituals to drive away evil spirits and negative energy. This type of black salt is usually made by mixing regular rock salt with charred pieces of ash, iron, and herbs.
Indian black salt consists mainly of sodium chloride and trace impurities of sodium sulfate, as well as sodium bisulfite, sodium bisulfate, iron sulfide, sodium sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide.
The iron sulfide provides kala namak with its dark color, while the sodium chloride gives it its salty taste. All of the sulfurous compounds present give it its savory taste, as well as its unique, eggy aroma.
Even though hydrogen sulfide is known to be toxic in large amounts, the amount usually used in recipes is nowhere near enough to be harmful, and thus any potential negative health issues stemming from the use of this type of salt are practically negligible.
Indian black salt is traditionally either made from salt taken from the North Indian salt lakes, or from natural halite found in various mines around the Himalayan salt ranges.
To turn these raw materials into black salt, a reductive chemical process is used to change the sodium sulfate present into a mixture of sodium sulfide and hydrogen sulfide. To do this, the raw salt needs to be fired into a furnace for over 24 hours, while sealed within a ceramic jar containing charcoal, as well as minuscule amounts of amla, harad seeds, babul bark, bahera, or natron. Once complete, the black salt then needs to be cooled, stored, and aged.
Black salt may also be manufactured synthetically. To do this, manufacturers usually combine sodium chloride with smaller amounts of ferric sulfate, sodium bisulfate, and sodium sulfate, before chemically reducing them with charcoal inside a furnace.
Black salt can be used to loosen the muscles and reduce the amount of pain you feel in your joints. To treat your joint problems, simply place a cup of black salt into a piece of cloth and make a poultice. Then, dry heat it in a pan, being careful not to burn it. When it’s hot, take it out of the pan and press it against the affected area. This procedure can also be reheated and used once again later on in the day if necessary.
Black salt is often a core component in many natural digestive pills. This is because it comes with an innate ability to ward off an upset stomach, constipation, bloating, as well as many other stomach problems. Start making a point of adding black salt to your meals if you want to avoid a load of post-meal problems.
Many people who suffer from respiratory disorders, such as asthma, allergies, sinus issues, or even the common cold, have benefited greatly by making inhaling black salt. To give yourself some respiratory relief, simply add some black salt to an inhaler, and use it twice a day.
Kala namak is highly effective at helping people lose weight since it has a disintegrating and dissolving effect on lipids and enzymes. Simply start replacing regular salt with black salt when you’re cooking, and then sit back and watch the pounds shed themselves!
If you’re looking for an effective laxative, then black salt might just be what you’re looking for. You can make your own laxative paste or drink by mixing some black salt with some pieces of ginger and lemon.
By replacing regular salt with black salt, you may be able to stabilize your fluctuating levels of cholesterol. This is because black salt ensures proper circulation throughout the body by thinning your blood. This is not only effective for reducing high cholesterol levels, but can also help lower blood pressure, too.
Heartburn is caused by an excess of acid being present in your stomach. Luckily, black salt is full of alkaline minerals, as a result of its exposure to high temperatures, which helps cancel out the negative effects of your stomach’s acid production.
Black salt is able to ward off all kinds of gastrointestinal problems, including both acid reflux and indigestion. The best way to do this is by placing a teaspoon of black salt in a copper vessel, and heating it on a low flame. Keep it under the flame until you notice it changing color. Then, extinguish the flame and mix a small amount of the salt with a glass of warm water, and drink immediately.
Osteoporosis is a nasty disorder that causes your body to start using your own bones as a source of sodium, thereby making them a lot weaker. Thankfully, the high sodium content in black salt can help many people prevent themselves from ever becoming sufferers.
Psychiatrists have found that black salt can be very useful in the treatment of certain types of depression and insomnia. This is because it helps to preserve two particular hormones, serotonin and melatonin, both of which are essential for a good night’s sleep.
Studies have shown that black salt has the ability to reduce a diabetic person’s need to take insulin so often since it contains a unique property that helps the body maintain an appropriate blood sugar level. Black salt is recommended both for diabetic people, as well as for anyone who is at risk of becoming diabetic.
Kala namak has been found to provide relief to anyone who suffers from muscle cramps and spasms. This is due to it containing potassium, which is a mineral that our muscles need to function properly. Simply start replacing the regular salt in your meals with black salt, and start reaping the benefits.
If you're one of many who suffer from a receding hairline, you're probably frustrated by all the supplements and tonics that never seem to work. So try something more natural this time, and start adding black salt to your meals whenever possible. The essential minerals in black salt will boost your hair's natural growth, strengthen it and treat its split ends.
If you have dandruff or acute hair loss, we’d recommend taking black salt with tomato juice at least once a day. Not only will it encourage hair growth and reduce the amount of flakes you produce, but will also thicken your hair, giving it some extra sheen and luster.
Another use for black salt is in skincare. Instead of chemical peels, special soaps and spas, consider adding black salt to your bathwater. It works as an excellent healing agent and is especially good for cracked and swollen feet, athlete's foot, warts, and sprains.
Just sit back and let it heal your pain and relieve your worries while you enjoy a truly refreshing bath. When you come out, your body will feel truly rejuvenated. If your skin is sensitive to irritation, it's best not to make the water too hot, or you may incur some itchiness.
We'd also recommend treating your dry skin to one of these excellent sea salt scrubs.
Black salt is commonly required to prepare certain types of Indian dishes, particularly ones found in the country’s northernmost regions. It is typically used as a condiment, and is often added to raita or chutney. It is also a key flavoring agent in many types of Indian meals, such as pani puri.
When shopping for black salt, make sure that there is no moisture in the packet and that it is properly sealed, since exposure to the elements may make your black salt go lumpy. We find it best to buy a number of small packets rather than one big one to avoid hydrating them too much once opened.
If you'd rather cook without using any salt at all, then check out these brilliant salt alternatives.
Tofu Omelet
Black salt isn’t the only amazing kind of salt out there! Below, we’ve collected some interesting articles about quite a few different types of salt, many of which are bound to amaze you! Give them a read and see what you think:
1. Himalayan Salt Lamps That Purify Your Home
2. How to Clean With Salt
3. New Surprising Research on Salt’s Effect on the Body
4. Visit the Kingdom of Salt!
5. The Incredible Wieliczka Salt Mine
6. Incredible Salt Uses & Benefits
7. Why You Should Keep Epsom Salt at Home
8. How Epsom Salts Can Spruce Up Your Garden
9. Signs Your Body Is Lacking Salt
10. Why Himalayan Pink Salt Is So Good For You
If you enjoyed reading it, then don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family, so that they too can learn about the many benefits of black salt!
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