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Salt (mineral Salt) Benefits (According to Ayurveda)
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"Just to clarify, the recommended dosage of mineral salt is 1/8 tsp 3x daily?"
- Corey Hay Stouffville

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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Salt (Mineral Salt): Popped Amaranth Energy Bar with Fruit & Nuts
Recipes with Salt (Mineral Salt): Popped Amaranth Energy Bar with Fruit & Nuts
Wherever salt appears in the body, water follows. Salt encourages secretions in membranes and glands, including the sinuses and GI tract, and juiciness of the glands, stimulating stomach acid and nourishing the adrenals.

Thus salt promotes good digestion and elimination of the bowels. Salt cleanses the body and dissolves congestion and hardened areas. It nourishes the nervous tissue.

Salt effectively combats dryness in Vata but causes excess water retention for Kapha. As salt increases water retention it also increases blood pressure provoking Kapha dosha.

Salt extracts fluids from cells into the intercelluar space, causing swelling in lymphatic vessels and capillary beds. It hardens muscles, damages bones and causes premature aging.

In excess salt causes vomiting.

About Salt (Mineral Salt)

Salt brings out the flavor in food and brings enthusiasm for life. While contraindicated for Kapha and high blood pressure, salt is also one of the most important medicines for Vata

Buying & Preparation

Avoid refined salts. If salt is pure white, it means it's refined no matter what the label. Sea salts are better than refined but mineral salts are the best for all three doshas.

Expensive salts are a sham. As 7song says, "If you have to rely on salt for your minerals and vitamins, you've got a bigger problem in your diet."

Cooking Salt (Mineral Salt)

Generally I use 1/4tsp salt for 4c of food or liquid.

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Is Salt (Mineral Salt) Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Salt (Mineral Salt)' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Metabolic Nature of Salt (Mineral Salt)

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Moves Energy:
Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:
Bowel Poop Elimination

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Salt (Mineral Salt)
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestion:
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Emetic

EMETIC

An herb that causes vomiting and nausea.

SEE ALL 'EMETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Sialogogue

SIALOGOGUE

A sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents.

SEE ALL 'SIALOGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bowel Health:
Stool Softener

STRONG STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS

,
General Laxative

MILD GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:
Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Membranes

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Rebuild Electrolytes

STRONG REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES

Substances that increase your electrolyte balance. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst.

SEE ALL 'REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Rebuilds Fluids

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

Herbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.

SEE ALL 'REBUILDS-FLUIDS' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:
Antidiuretic

ANTIDIURETIC

An herb that suppresses the formation of urine. They help retain fluids and rehydrate by reducing urination. They oppose diuresis.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:
Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Salt (Mineral Salt)

  • Lemon

    Lemon has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Flushes-membranes, Sialogogue, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Stool-softener, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Flushes-membranes, Spleen-tonic, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Strengthens-resolve, Emetic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Strengthens-resolve, Emetic, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Flushes-membranes, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Flushes-membranes, Spleen-tonic, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Strengthens-resolve, Emetic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Lime

    Lime has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Flushes-membranes, Sialogogue, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Pomegranate Molasses

    Pomegranate Molasses has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Spleen-tonic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Digestive, Sialogogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Flushes-sinuses, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Antimicrobial, Flushes-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Arugula

    Arugula has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Peaches

    Peaches has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Spleen-tonic, General-laxative, Stool-softener, Sialogogue

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Salt (Mineral Salt)

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Sialogogue, Stool-softener, Antimicrobial, Digestive, Flushes-membranes, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Triphala

    Triphala has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Flushes-membranes, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Sialogogue, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Rebuilds-fluids, Sialogogue, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

    Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Rebuilds-fluids, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Digestive, Emetic, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Emetic, Rebuilds-fluids, Soothes-throat, Antidiuretic, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Antidiuretic, Antimicrobial, Emetic, Rebuilds-fluids, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Abhayrishta- Colon Tonic

    Abhayrishta- Colon Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Digestive, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Triphala Guggulu

    Triphala Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Yellow Dock

    Yellow Dock has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

how to use Salt (Mineral Salt) Ayurvedically

Dosage: General Daily Limit (All Sources of Salt)

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Salt (Mineral Salt) may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Salt (Mineral Salt) may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Sea salt, though often considered a "healthier" alternative to table salt due to its trace minerals, still consists mostly of sodium chloride—and its health effects are largely the same. While it may be less refined, sea salt has contraindications similar to other forms of dietary salt. Contraindications:

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Sea salt, like all salt, is high in sodium and can raise blood pressure. People with hypertension or at risk for it should limit sodium intake, including sea salt.

Heart Disease: Sodium increases fluid retention, which can stress the heart and exacerbate conditions like heart failure or coronary artery disease.

Kidney Disease: High sodium can impair kidney function further, especially in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sodium may also increase proteinuria (protein in urine) and edema in kidney patients.

Fluid Retention: Sodium promotes fluid retention, which may aggravate swelling (edema).

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Salt (Mineral Salt). Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Autumn-Winter

Salt (Mineral Salt) is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.
VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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Comments & Impressions of 'Salt (mineral Salt)'

Do you like 'salt (mineral salt)'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'salt (mineral salt)'?

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 210 likes
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Andrew Thomas Oakland, CA
2010-02-23
“Always add salt to food while it is cooking. The cooking process allows salt to dissolve and be absorbed by the food. It is much easier to digest salt in this form than when it is poured straight from the shaker onto already cooked food."
Like Reply
Jess Allen park, MI
2012-12-28
“Is sea salt sattvic?"
Like Reply
Corey Hay Stouffville
2016-10-14
“Just to clarify, the recommended dosage of mineral salt is 1/8 tsp 3x daily?"
Like Reply
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2017-03-02
“Kapha types do better with less salt in their diet generally, but all 6 tastes are necessary in everyone's diet. 1/8 tsp or less per meal is probably sufficient for most Kapha types."
Like Reply
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2019-07-01
“The amount of recommended mineral salt per day would depend on the person Cory."
Like Reply
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