What is Ayurveda you ask? Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga. It is an approach to healing that uses natural elements, herbs, and food as medicine.
Ayur means life and veda means knowledge, so Ayurveda translates to the “the knowledge of life.”
From Ayurvedic perspective, wherever there is water, there should be salt and vice versa.
So while we are often told to reduce our salt intake, we are not educated on the importance of consuming a balanced amount of unrefined salt that is high in essential minerals. (This is not your typical table salt.)
Unrefined salt is essential for the function of every cell in our body. It provides us with vital nutrients that stabilize our metabolism. Our metabolism needs to be healthy to ensure that it is able to absorb fuel and transform it to energy.
We are also regularly advised to drink plenty of water. Ironically, drinking too much plain water can deplete our electrolytes which help us retain water. Over drinking also makes us feel bloated and puts stress on our digestive organs.
Too much water also makes our stomach feel bloated and overburdens our digestive organs. Rather than drinking copious amounts of water, we can reduce our water intake and still stay hydrated simply by adding a small amount of salt water (sole) to our morning drink.
For thousands of years, Himalayan salt has been considered by Ayurveda to be therapeutic as it has numerous health benefits.
Salt water “sole” (pronounced as solay) cleanses the entire stomach and intestines which encourages effective digestion and metabolism. Ayurveda states that salt also calms and soothes emotions and our nervous system, replaces and balances electrolytes, replenishing the entire body.
Here is a simple guide to making an energizing Ayurvedic Himalayan Salt Water Drink:
2 level teaspoons Himalayan Salt
1 quart spring or filtered water
Add the water to a glass or jar and slowly sprinkle in the crystals and keep stirring until no more crystals will dissolve in the water. (or leave sitting for 24 hours.) The mixture is only ready when the crystals no longer dissolve.
Add a teaspoon of the mixture to a glass of water.
Store the jar by covering and keeping in a cool dry place.
I drink a cup of sole shortly after waking on an empty stomach. You can also drink it before or after exercise if you feel dehydrated.
Ayurveda states that the following benefits occur from consuming a healthy supply of Himalayan salt:
Regulates water content in the body
Promotes a healthy PH balance in our cells
Promotes blood sugar health
Promotes intestine health and aids digestion
Supports respiratory health
Promotes sinus health
Prevents muscle cramps
Assists joints with flexibility
Promotes bone strength
Naturally regulates sleep
Supports our libido
Balances electrolytes
Detoxes the body
Nourishes the adrenal glands
*Thank you Dr. Vasant Lad for your many years of contribution to sharing the knowledge of Ayurveda.