Salt, Rock Salt, Yan 盐

Rock Salt: Sal Gem; Halite;
–Rgyam tshwa  རྒྱམ་ཚྭ  (Tibetan)
–Namak e Sang (Unani)
–Saindhava (Ayurveda)
–Shi Yan 石盐 (TCM)
Sea Salt:
–Yan 盐 (TCM)
–Namak e Toam (Unani)
–Samudra (Ayurveda)
Black Salt: Halite violaceum
–Vida (Ayurveda)
–kha ru tsha  ཁ་རུ་ཚ  (Tibetan)
–Namak e Siyah (Unani)
Picture Salt
Ortus Sanitatis, Beck, 1517

Picture Halite, Salt crystal
Photo by Parent Gery (Wikimedia)

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Mineralogical Name:
Sal; Sodium chloride

Two main types of Salt are used:
  1. Sea Salt
  2. Rock Salt, Halite
Both are similar, but Rock Salt is stronger. Some types of Rock Salt are colored due to mineral admixture. Black Salt is one example.

Parts used:


Salt

Temperature & Taste:


Sea Salt: Cool, dry. Salty; Rock Salt: Neutral, dry. Salty

Properties:
Nature: crystalline
Color: white, off-white (Rock salt may be colored with impurities)
Streak: none
Cleavage: perfect cubic
Fracture: Conchoidal
Luster: Vitreous
Tenacity: Brittle
Transparency: Transparent
Hardness: 2.5
Specific Gravity: 1.9–2.2

Uses:


1. Clears Damp, Relieves Food Stagnation, Benefits Stomach (Ayurveda, TCM, Tibetan, West):
-stomach pain, colic, dyspepsia

2. Clears Heat, Stops Wind, Restrains rising Qi (TCM, Tibetan, West):
-headaches, dizziness

3. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-bleeding from the Lungs or Stomach

4. Benefits the Kidneys, Promotes Urine (Ayurveda, TCM, Tibetan, West):

5. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Fevers

6. Clears Phlegm, Softens Hard Masses:
-acute and chronic phlegm conditions.

7. Benefits Eyesight (Rock Salt). (Ayurveda)

8. Kills Worms:
-used for Worms (especially Thread Worm) by mouth or enema.

9. Emetic:
-1 teaspoonful given with warm water has been used as an emetic. It is essential to ensure vomiting is induced if such a dose is given.

10. Opens Obstructions:
-Similarly to Saltpeter, Rock Salt is able to enter and penetrate everywhere into the system. (Ayurveda)

11. Used in the Preparations of Metals and Minerals:

12. Externally:
-‘Hot solutions of Salt persisted in are of unfailing benefit in local inflammation of the Lungs, Liver, Spleen, Pleura or Peritoneum, and especially of the Kidneys. Most serviceable in inflammation of the Joints, either traumatic, rheumatic or tubercular in character, and in inflammation of the Throat or Tonsils, either malignant or benign… it is useful in the inflammation of the Brain and Spinal cord and in glandular inflammations’ (Ellingwood)


Comment:


1. Medicinally, Sea Salt and Rock Salt are synonymous, although Rock Salt was generally regarded as superior. In alchemical practices, Rock Salt and its Spirit were praised over Sea Salt.
2. The principle action of Salt, both Physically and Chemically, is to dry: ‘This applied to other bodies removes all Humidity, and what is left of the solid substance it astringently contracts’. (Royal Chemistry, 1670)

Preparations:
… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Headache, Red Eyes, Cough, and to benefit the Stomach and promote Digestion, … available in PRO version
2. Indigestion, Poor Appetite, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
3. Indigestion, Wind, Colic, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
4. To purge Phlegm, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
5. To Purge Bile and Phlegm, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
6. To Purge Burnt Bile, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
7. Scrofula, Phlegm nodules, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
8. Cholera, … available in PRO version
9. Chronic joint pain, … available in PRO version
10. Hoarseness, Sore Throat, Loss of Speech, Rock Salt with … available in PRO version
11. Gargle for acute sore throat:
i. Salt with … available in PRO version.
ii. Salt with … available in PRO version
12. Toothache:
i. Wind-Heat Toothache, Salt with … available in PRO version
ii. Salt, … available in PRO version
13. Venomous Insect or Snake Bites:
i. apply a paste of onion and salt
ii. apply a paste of salt and … available in PRO version
14. Goiter may be treated by applying a paste of Salt, … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Infusion to Purge Phlegm of Mesue
Infusion for Burnt Bile of Mesue
Pills to Purge Bile and Phlegm of Mesue
Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue)
Powder for Scrofula (Palestra Pharmaceutica)
Powder for Scrofula (Arnold de Villa Nova)
Powder to Increase Milk Supply
Indian Pills (Mesue)
Greater Polycrest Pills

Powder of Emblic Myrobalan of Ayurveda
Kalya Avaleha (Ayurveda)
Cardamon 10 (Sug smel bcu pa) (Tibetan Medicine)
Powder for Stomach Pain (Unani)
Powder of Borax (Unani)
Habb-e-Kibreet (Unani)
Aksir-e-Riyah (Unani)

Cautions:


1. Do not overdose or overuse.
2. Do not give to those with a high Salt diet; a low-salt / Salt-free diet should be observed if Salt is used medicinally.
3. Salt is generally supplied in more than adequate amounts in the diet, and is often taken in unhealthy amounts by many people in their normal diet. The average American has about 17,000mg per day, whereas recommended consumption is about 3000mg daily. However, be aware that a number of people are so worried about salt in their diet that they may be consuming low levels of dietary salt, especially if they cook most of their own food.
4. Excessive amounts taken over a long period harms the Kidneys.
5. Excess Salt injures the Blood.
6. Obesity can be related to excess salt use. Conditions such as Gout, Eczema and chronic Diarrhea can also be associated with excess Salt.
7. Salt free or low Salt diets are required in people with edema (of kidney or heart origin), cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
8. Excessive doses in enemas (9 oz.) have resulted in death.

Main Preparations used:


Spirit of Salt (Hydrochloric acid)
  • Extra Info
  • Salt Treatments
Salt Rub. (Salt Glow)
Coarse Salt can be used as a body rub, by forming a paste with a small amount of water. This is rubbed onto the skin to cause friction which stimulates the ·skin circulation. It is very good to use when feeling low or mildly depressed, and is also good at the start of an infection, including the early stages of the common cold or flu. It is also said to be good for the effects of excess drinking. Salt stimulates elimination through the skin, cleanses the skin pores and invigorates the nervous system.
 
To do properly, cover a cupful of Salt (preferably Sea Salt) with a small amount of water to form a paste. Sit over the edge of the bath and rub the paste into the skin in a circular motion, beginning with the neck and shoulders and ending at the feet, the whole massage taking a few minutes. This should not be massaged into broken skin or skin lesions. It is good to follow this with a Salt Bath.
 Salt Bath
The Salt Bath can be said to be both Invigorating and Relaxing. This is very relaxing to a tired and tense body, but being also refreshing. Larger amounts added to a Warm bath stimulates perspiration, and abort a cold. Like the Salt rub, it greatly increases skin activity. It is also good for women during Menopause.
 
The Bath can be taken warm to relax, or cold to tone and invigorate (as a swim in the Ocean does). The cold bath should only be taken for 1-2 minutes. If taken Warm, it can be finished with a quick cold shower.
 
Amount: 1-2 cups can be added to a bath, with about 5 pounds being equal to Sea Water. The more Salt that is added, the greater the feeling of relaxation and refreshment, and the more buoyant you become.
 
Salt Water baths are tonic and stimulant, especially in children, and are useful in chronic rheumatism and gout. Salt Water baths are also good for Obesity.