From weight loss to healthy hair and skin: Benefits of rock salt you should not miss out on

Its mildness and diverse mineral content help minimise the potential hazards of excess salt.
 

Rock salt or sendha namak, as it is popularly known, is a favourite of those fasting during the auspicious days of Navratri. This is the only type of 'salt' consumed during these nine days. Rock salt is the purest form of salt - unprocessed and raw, devoid of environmental pollutants and chemical components.
 

It facilitates the cellular absorption of minerals and plays an important role in replenishing the body’s electrolytes and maintaining the pH balance.
 

Rock salt is cooling rather than heating and is far more balancing for pitta, in comparison to other forms of salt. Its mildness and diverse mineral content help minimise the potential hazards of excess salt.

Improves Digestion: rock salt improves digestion and is a natural way to relieve stomach pain. You can add a few crystals of rock salt and fresh mint leaves to a glass of lassi and reap the benefits. It can also be used to cure stomach infections, and aids in deworming as well.

Boosts Metabolism: Rock salt can be used to stimulate your body’s metabolism, and ultimately improve the functioning of your body.

Stabilises Blood Pressure: Rock salt helps stabilise blood pressure by maintaining a balance of high and low blood pressures. For people with hypertension, it is a better alternative to table salt as it is high on potassium.
 

Boosts Immunity: Rock salt provides all the essential trace minerals and greatly improves the body’s immune system. It fights harmful bacteria and helps kick illnesses to the curb.
 

Treats Sinus: Rock salt is beneficial for people suffering from respiratory problems and sinus. Gargling with rock salt provides relief against sore throat, dry cough and tonsils, or dissolve rock salt in water and inhale steam.
 

Promotes Weight Loss: Ditch table salt and switch to rock salt. Rock salt reduces sugar cravings by reactivating insulin, and hence results in weight loss. You can sprinkle some rock salt over your fruits instead of table salt.
 

Promotes Sleep: sleeping less than 8 hours a day could take a severe toll on your bodily functions. Our body needs a minimum of 8 hours to rest and recover from the day's work. Rock salt regulates the level of melatonin and thus, regulates our sleep cycle.

Reduces Stress: Rock salt helps to relax the body and mind. To treat and manage stress and anxiety, mix a tablespoon of rock salt in water and take a relaxing bath.

Promotes Healthy Skin: Rock salt is great for cleansing the skin and getting rid of clogged pores. When used externally, it draws toxins out of the body. Mix a tablespoon of rock salt with your usual cleanser and use as a face wash.
 

Exfoliates Skin: Accumulation of dead skin cells results in dull, rough and ageing skin. Use rock salt to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin.

Promotes Healthy Hair: Rock salt removes the dirt from your hair without stripping it off its natural healthy oils. Just mix it in your usual shampoo and wash your hair with it. Rinse with cold water to remove the residue.