Islamic remediesA Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah, Imam Tabarani and others from Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reputed to have said: “The best of your curries is salt.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, No. 3,315) “O Ali, commence and conclude your meal with salt, since salt is a cure for 70 illnesses such as insanity, leprosy, stomach pain and tooth ache.” Salt is essential for life and you cannot live without it. There are enormous differences between the standard, refined table and cooking salt and healthy natural salt. The differences, along with salt water's healing properties, can have a major impact on your health. Halite crystal (sodium chloride) occurs in seawater, along with other salts of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and other light metals. Table salt is actually 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% chemicals such as moisture absorbents, and iodine. Dried at over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, the excessive heat alters the natural chemical structure of the salt causing the potential for many health problems in your body. Table salt is not recommended in your healing arsenal. What is table salt? The chemical industry refines salt for industrial purposes. Over time, salt has undergone a transformation into a quite different substance. The so-called ‘cleaning' process leaves salt almost unrecognizable — stripped of minerals and reduced to simple sodium chloride. Trace elements which support harmonious mental and bodily functions are removed. What remains is lifeless and devoid of energy – in consuming it, we force our bodies to accommodate a dead substance. Insult is added to injury with bleaching and the inclusion of additives such as aluminium hydroxide, iodine and fluoride — which, when added artificially, cannot be adequately metabolized. Effects on body The human body tries desperately to get rid of this concoction, putting immense pressure on the organs of elimination. The delicate mineral balance of the body is disrupted and, as a result, blood pressure increases. In his best-selling book, Water & Salt, Peter Ferreira explains: “The result of consuming common table salt is the formation of overly acidic edema, or excess fluid in the body tissue, which is also the cause of cellulite. That's why doctors tell us to avoid it. For every .035 ounces of sodium chloride that cannot be eliminated, the body uses 23 times the amount of its own cell water to neutralize the salt.” Uric acid will form to get rid of the excess salt. In the long run, the body is poisoned because toxic substances cannot be disposed of. So how can we get the benefits but avoid the perils of salt? We can avoid side effects of table salt by using unprocessed natural unrefined salt which is full of natural minerals. Health benefits Eye Care: A diluted solution of 1/2 tsp. of sea salt to a pint of water can be used to wash and relieve tired eyes. Use the same solution with hot water to dab around eyes to reduce puffiness. Mouth Care: Sea salt can be used for gargling and to clean the mouth and teeth. To make a gargling solution, mix 1/2 tsp. of sea salt into a glass of warm water. This can help with a sore throat. You can make a toothpaste with one part sea salt and two parts baking soda that helps whiten teeth. Mix equal parts sea salt and baking soda to make a mouthwash. As a temporary remedy for a toothache before going to the dentist, rinse your mouth with a mixture of 4 ounces of warm water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Gums: Mix 1 teaspoon salt in 4 ounces of warm water when gums are painful. If you have an abscess, the salt will draw out some of the infection. Burns or Injuries: A severe burn in your mouth from eating something very hot can be relieved by rinsing with saltwater every hour or so. Use 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Nose: Make your own saline nose drops to control annoying postnasal drip. People with sleep apnea, a condition that involves a dangerous interruption of breathing while asleep, may also want to try these drops to help keep nasal passages open. Allergies: Irrigating the nostrils and sinuses with saltwater is an excellent way to control persistent, annoying allergy symptoms. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of room temperature water. Draw mixture into a nose dropper, and inhale liquid through your nostrils. Sinusitis: Chronic sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that continues for weeks, months, or even years. Sinus Wash: Flush out nasal secretions. Mix 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt or sea salt with 2 cups of warm water and a pinch of baking soda. Pour it into a dropper, tilt your head back, close one nostril with your thumb, and sniff the solution with the open nostril. Then blow your nose gently. Repeat on the other side. Sore throat: The simplest remedy is a warm saltwater gargle. Just add 1 teaspoon salt to 8 ounces of warm water, and gargle several times a day. Blood pressure: When the blood pressure is below normal it is called hypotension. Recently scientists have reported that salt intake is a cure for hypotension. Soaking and Stress Relief: Bathing in salt solutions is known to have a relaxing effect that soothes aching muscles. Add a handful of sea salt to a hot bath to relieve fatigue, or several tablespoons to hot water in a basin to sooth tired feet. You can also exfoliate skin by using salt as a rub after bathing.
