Rock salt – properties, virtues & benefits

Gem salt stone is a raw salt crystal, often used as a seasoning and for air purification. Discover its properties and uses in our comprehensive guide.

GEMME SALT CHARACTERISTICS

Chakra: Root (1st chakra).
Properties: Purification, relaxation, electromagnetic balance.
Astrology: Mars.
Zodiac: Aries, ScorPio.
Elements: Earth and fire.
Colors: White, red, Pink.
Hardness: 2-2.5 on the Mohs scale.
Chemical Formula: NaCl (sodium chloride).
Associated god: /

SEL GEMME – ITS HISTORY

The long-used rock salt was named “halite” by Ernst Friedrich Glocker in 1847. The name comes from the Greek words “hals” meaning “salt” and “lithos” meaning “stone”. Pink Himalayan salt crystals began to form around 300 million years ago, when minerals dissolved in the water of primitive oceans. Over time, the oceans retreated, leaving behind rocky deposits that eventually turned into salt blocks not far from the Himalayan mountain range, near the Khewra salt mines in Pakistan. Being isolated from pollution and chemicals, Pink Himalayan salt is considered one of the healthiest foods for humans.

DECOVERY OF A NEW SUPER-INGREDIENT: GEM SALT

Rock salt has long been used by people living near the Himalayas to preserve food and improve its taste. However, Himalayan Pink salt has recently become a key ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine in the West. This salt is renowned for its benefits to human health, hence its nickname of “white gold” given by alchemists. It is also known as the “salt of life” or “king salt”. The salt is extracted by hand from the Khewra mines in Pakistan, without any additives to preserve its purity.

BENEFITS OF HIMALAYA GEM SALT

Since ancient times, rock salt has traditionally been used in both food and pharmaceuticals. However, Pink Himalayan salt offers many additional benefits. More and more people are using this salt for its therapeutic properties.

GEMME OR HALITE SALT

Salt is a sedimentary rock composed of evaporites, different from granite or metamorphic rocks such as sandstone or clay. In deposits, rock salt is present as white or transparent crystals, often hexagonal or octagonal. When clay is present, the crystals may turn gray, but this does not make them unfit for consumption. The mining of salt is regulated in France and other countries to ensure its quality. France’s main salt basins are found in several regions, including Alsace, Franche-Comté, Lorraine, Bresse, the Aquitaine basin and the subalPine basin between Valence and Manosque.

The water of the oceans and seas left behind the evaporites that created the first salt crystals during the Secondary and Tertiary eras. Salt deposits are not always close to sea level; some mines are found at altitude, as in the Andes Mountains or Austria, as a result of tectonic plate movements. When water seeps into these deposits, it can create salt springs or lakes by dissolving the salt crystals. In France, four major salt basins lie on the same line, along the Rhine-Rhone axis, explaining why most of the chemical industry is located along this axis to save on transport.

SALT CRYSTALIZATION: AN EXPERIENCE EVERYONE CAN HAVE

Salt crystallization begins when distilled water contains 250 g/l of salt at room temperature, or 300 g/l when the water is heated to 37°C. It occurs in salt crystal hoppers or halite cubes, and solid salt appears as the water evaporates or the temperature drops. In chemistry, to avoid changing the volume of a saturated salt solution heated to 100°C, the solution is placed in a flask plugged with a thin tube to allow water vapor to condense. The condensation falls back into the flask. The slower the crystallization, the larger and better-quality the crystals. These crystals form by aggregation, from an initial seed on which other grains gather, and so on until larger grains are created. Crystallization is difficult to control, as two identical solutions placed under identical conditions can give different results with small or larger crystals.

SODIUM CHLORIDE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE (NACL)

Cl- and Na+ ions form two cubic lattices, which are responsible for the creation and crystallization of sodium chloride. The system must be heated to 800°C for it to melt, whereas it can dissolve in water at room temperature. The solubility of ionic compounds is not affected by temperature. Rock salt crystals hold together to form a solid mass due to the force of electrostatic attraction between ions of opposite signs. This force is divided by 80 once in water, which explains its dissolution. When water molecules surround opposite-sign Cl- or Na+ ions, this diminishes their force of attraction and creates a loss of energy, resulting in a slight absorption of heat. This is why ice can be created instantly by shaking salt water and chilling it. NaCl is an electrolyte, which means its solution conducts electricity.

Salt crystals can take on surprising shapes, as at Lake Assal, where they have a spherical form due to certain bacteria present in the water. This lake has a salt content of 350 g per liter, ten times higher than the Red Sea, which is already renowned for its high salinity. Part of the lake is solid, measuring 52 km² and 60 m thick. The lake contains all three forms of salt: brine, pack ice and crystals. 98% of the weight of the pack ice is sodium and chlorine, and this rises to 99% for the crystals. In simplified terms, pack ice and crystals are mainly table salt.

GEMM SALT STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

Rock salt, also known as halite, consists mainly of sodium chloride (NaCl). This rock is brittle, soft and easily broken, and also contains traces of iron, oxygen, silicon, iodine, fluorine and bromine. Halite is generally colorless or white if it is pure and the crystals have formed properly, but certain impurities can give it a different color, such as gray, black, blue, violet, yellowish, reddish or brownish. Halite gems are moist to the touch and become deliquescent in the presence of calcium or magnesium chloride. Rock salt dissolves in water, but not all crystals are equally soluble. Rock salt is easily recognized by its solubility, salty taste and characteristic shape. If in doubt, simply heat it and it will disintegrate and melt. Rock salt grains color the flames a yellow color due to sodium ions.

Salt is generally found in fossil form, associated with other saline rocks or evaporites, mainly in sedimentary basins. Salt is essential to animal life and a valuable ingredient for commerce, which explains the exploitation of deposits known since ancient times, whether open-Pit or indicated by lakes or salt springs. Rock salt is formed either from seawater that evaporated a long time ago or more recently, or from plutonic or volcanic emanations. The presence of saline or brackish water in endoreic zones can be explained by this second possibility. Rock salt is often associated with limestone, clay or dolomite, as well as other evaporites such as anhydrite and gypsum. Mines can extend over beds ranging from 1 to 300 meters and sometimes up to 2 kilometers thick, particularly for saline masses that form rounded excrescences that can be easily located by geophysical analysis.

In many parts of the world, rock salt is found underground, sometimes at great depths. In Algeria, for example, it lies around 1 km below the surface in places such as Djelfa, Biskra or El Outaya. In the Sahara desert, rock salt deposits can be found up to 500 meters below the surface. Rock salt reserves in the Sahara Desert are estimated at 400,000 billion tonnes. Rock salt mines in Iran, near the Zagros mountains, appear on the surface as salt-bearing diaPirs that resemble salt glaciers and can reach up to 10 km in length. Rock salt deposits can also be found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, southeast Russia, the USA and many other countries. Rock salt is often found in association with other potassium or magnesium salts, and may appear on the surface in arid areas.

GEMM SALT STONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES

Pink gem salt stone has therapeutic virtues for resolving emotional and relational disorders by promoting reconciliation and the resolution of past problems. Also known as Himalayan Pink salt, Himalayan sea salt or Himalayan crystalline salt, it helps restore calm and inner peace. This stone is considered a natural rock salt, making it a perfect, healthy condiment for the diet. Its purity is maintained through manual processing, which avoids any addition of artificial ingredients.

HOW IS THE OLIGO-ELEMENT RICHNESS OF HIMALAYA ROSE GEM SALT BENEFICIAL?

According to sources, there are differences in the trace elements contained in Himalayan Pink salt, ranging from 60 to 84 elements. However, even the highest quantity remains insignificant compared to what a balanced diet can provide. Nevertheless, Himalayan Pink salt contains more trace elements than ordinary table salt, which justifies a change. In fact, an extra amount of trace elements in your diet is good for the body, as the sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc., it contains help to maintain the electrolyte stock in the cells, thus helPing the body to function properly. What’s more, Himalayan salt enables cells to assimilate minerals more quickly.

WHAT ARE THE REGENERATING PROPERTIES OF HIMALAYA GEM SALT?

Gem salt stone is not limited to culinary use, but is also beneficial for skin and muscles. Only 30% of the salt extracted from Pakistan’s main mine is destined for consumption, the rest being used for other purposes such as cosmetics. Himalayan salt is known for its regenerative properties, which make it useful in the manufacture of cosmetics such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, bath salts, and facial care products such as scrubs and exfoliants. It is also useful for removing dead skin cells and relieving muscle pain after strenuous exercise. Taking a bath with Himalayan salts can promote blood circulation, relieve muscles and prevent cramps.

ARE THE BALANCING PROPERTIES OF HIMALAYA ROSE GEM SALT REAL?

In July 1989, a study published in the New York Times examined the link between sodium and sleep quality. The results showed that a low-sodium diet can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia or irregular sleep cycles. Study subjects were divided into two groups, one eating a normal diet and the other consuming only 500 mg of sodium. The low-sodium diet group had troubled nights, waking frequently during the night and having reduced sleep time. When 5000 mg sodium was added to their diet, they slept better and longer than the group on a normal diet. However, the study does not mean that adding salt to the diet should be a solution for sleep disorders, it simply shows the correlation between sodium and sleep. Rock salt can also affect the body’s pH, an imbalance which can lead to digestive and immune disorders and water retention. The sodium and other minerals present in Himalayan Pink salt can help rebalance the body’s pH.

TONIC PROPERTIES OF HIMALAYA ROSE GEM SALT

Himalayan gem salt stone has virtues that go beyond its use in food. Indeed, it can relieve resPiratory and congestion problems thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The use of Himalayan salt in halotherapy by inhalation of salt vapor can help decongest the resPiratory tract while providing a feeling of relaxation and calm. It is also beneficial for the skin. Pink Himalayan salt exfoliates and deep-cleanses the skin. It can also relieve itching caused by insect bites or blisters on the feet. Hippocrates had already observed the benefits of salt water on fishermen’s wounds, and today Himalayan salt is used to treat skin problems and to relax after a long day by taking a footbath.

GEMME SALT STONE – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

Salt gemstone has the ability to purify ambient air by absorbing positive ions present in the environment. However, to keep it working effectively, it’s important to clean and recharge it regularly. Here’s how to do it:

Cleaning:

Gently rinse the rock salt stone with cold water to remove dust and dirt.
Dry it carefully with a clean cloth.
If necessary, you can also gently scrub it with a soft bristle brush to remove embedded impurities.

Loading:

Place the rock salt stone in the sun for a few hours to recharge naturally with solar energy.
You can also place it on a bed of Himalayan salt for several hours to recharge.
If you don’t have access to direct sunlight or Himalayan salt, you can use another energy recharging method such as meditation or Reiki.

By following these tips, you can keep your gem salt stone in good condition and enjoy its benefits for air purification and relaxation.

WHERE DOES THE NAME GEM SALT COME FROM?

The name “rock salt” comes from the Latin “sal gemmae”, meaning “gemmy salt”. The term “gemmy” refers to the crystalline nature of salt, which forms regular, shiny crystals similar to gemstones. “Rock salt” is therefore used to designate salt in its natural, crystallized form, as opposed to sea salt or cooking salt, which are obtained by other methods. Rock salt has been extracted from underground mines around the world for thousands of years and is used for food, medicinal and industrial purposes.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES GEM SALT ACT ON?

Gem salt is often associated with the root chakra (1st chakra), which is located at the base of the sPine. The root chakra is linked to stability, security and connection to the earth. Due to its earthy, crystalline nature, rock salt can help reinforce these aspects by balancing the root chakra’s energies. By placing a gem salt stone in your living space, you can help purify the air and eliminate negative energies, promoting a more stable and secure environment.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH GEM SALT?

Gem salt is associated primarily with the zodiac signs of Aries and ScorPio. Aries, as the first sign of the zodiac, is associated with strength, energy and vitality, which corresponds well with the purifying and stimulating properties of rock salt. ScorPio, on the other hand, is associated with transformation and regeneration, which corresponds to the purifying and renewing properties of rock salt. In astrology, rock salt is also associated with the planet Mars, which is associated with energy, strength and action, further strengthening the correspondence between rock salt and the signs of Aries and ScorPio.

GEM SALT STONE SUMMARY

Gem salt stone is a type of crystalline salt that is often used as a condiment and seasoning in cooking. It is extracted from underground salt mines around the world, and is often sold as blocks or crystals. In addition to its culinary use, rock salt stone is also used in salt theraPies and salt lamps, as it is considered to have purifying and healing properties for the air and body. Rock salt stone is also used in industry for the production of chlorine, caustic soda and other chemicals.