Uses of Salt

Salt as we have already seen has been critical in life and civilizations, but why is this mineral so much more critical to life then other minerals found around the world? It is estimated that there are more then 14,000 different uses for salt! I am sure that if you ask your mother, father, or grandparents they will have many of their own uses for salt outside of just adding to food to enhance the flavor.

As in the previous articles I will break down these topics into subcategories since there are so many different uses for salt. Furthermore, I will only highlight a few different uses since I donʼt think anyone will have the time to read 14,000 different uses of this great mineral!

Cooking

We are all familiar with using salt while cooking. Salt is primarily used to enhance the flavor of various dishes and to aid in bringing out other flavors and textures (ie salt will make chocolate taste sweeter which is why you find salt in many baking dishes). Furthermore, salt in culinary history was used to preserve meats. Since ancient societies lacked modern refrigeration the best means to keep fish and meats was by salting them. This would inhibit microbial growth.

• Salt is used to aid in boiling water by making it boil at a lower temperature. This happens when salt ions interact with the water molecules and allow them to vaporize easier. Salt does not make water boil faster, but lowers the boiling point of the water. The same concept is also true for freezing and another reason salt is added to ice cream.
• Salt can be used to remove pinfeathers from poultry. To do this rub the chicken skin with salt before removing the feathers. Salt will also enhance the flavor of the chicken.
• If you have just finished chopping onions and need to remove the scent from your hands just rub some salt moistened with vinegar on your hands.
• Salt can be used to "sweeten" and deodorize water bottles.
• Salt will prevent food from sticking to dishes and minimize smoking. Sprinkle salt on washed skillets or griddles, heat in a warm oven, dust off salt, and food will not stick during the next use. This is natures equivilant of Teflon.
• Prevent molding of cheese by wrapping cheese in a cloth moistened with saltwater before refrigerating.
• Adding a pinch of salt to milk will make it stay fresh longer.

Cleaning

Salt used in cleaning is not only cheaper and more efficient, but also great for the environment and overall personal health since you are limiting your exposure to chemicals. Here are some ways that salt can be used in cleaning (I would suggest taking over the cleaning duties at home for the weekend, your parents will be grateful and you can teach them how salt can clean the house!)

• Salt will clean baked on grease in pans. Just add a touch of salt to the greasy dish and wipe with a towel.
• Salt will remove tea or coffee stains from glasses.
• Salt and cinnamon will remove burned food odor from ovens and stoves. Sprinkle salt on the areas with burned food while still hot, when cooled use a stiff brush to remove the baked on food.
• Salt tossed on a grease fire will smother flames (you can also use baking soda, but NEVER use water it will spread the fire)
• Salt will aid in removing rings left on tables from wet or hot dishes. Just rub a thin paste of salad oil and salt on the spot, let stand for a couple hours, and wipe off with a cloth.
• Wash colored clothing or faded clothing in saltwater to brighten the colors.
• Remove sweat stains by adding four tablespoons of salt to a quart of hot water and sponge over the stains until they disappear (this will be valuable to our team running in Bolivia!)
• Salt can also remove hard water deposits which is a good option for an abrassive cleaner when cleaning sinks and tubs.

Health

Salt is essential for overall health. It is a mineral that is needed to maintain our bodyʼs electrolyte balance and chemical responses within our cells. Without salt we would not survive. However, it is maintaining a proper balance of sodium intake that many people are concerned about. We frequently hear about high blood pressure being associated with high sodium intake - as an aside sodium and salt are two separate entities - but, we donʼt hear much about the positive benefits of salt in our health. Here are a few different ways that salt can be used in aiding in our health.

• Salt water flush is a common method for cleansing oneʼs digestive tract or aiding in constipation. This should be done under medical supervision as should anything dealing with your health. A salt water flush is comprised of 2 teaspoons (up to 1 tablespoon) of sea salt in 1 liter of room temperature water and drink the mix down! The salt must be un-ionized! Furthermore, you will want a bathroom handy as this does indeed clean the system. Remember this needs to be done with caution since too much salt water can cause serious imbalance to your system and lead to severe dehydration.
• Salt is also used in treating a sore throat. For anyone that has had a sore throat and gargled with salt water will tout the benefits of salt. You can use regular table salt or sea salt. Add some salt to warm water, tilt your head back and gargle! Make sure to spit out the salt water or you will suffer the consequences of the previous topic. Furthermore, gargling with salt and baking soda can disinfect your mouth and leave you with fresh breath.
• For relief of swollen feet and ankles you can submerse your peds in a warm salt bath to reduce swelling (salt will help draw excess water out of tissues).
• A frequent use of salt in our house is through a neti pot. Essentially this is a tiny pot that you add warm water and a touch of sea salt to. You then tilt your head just right so that the water runs through your nostril into your sinuses and out the other nostril. Trust me it looks fantastic! This helps clean your sinuses and removes any mucus. This is a great way to fit a cold or any virus that leaves you congested.
• To remove dead skin and give yourself a nice healthy glow you can add sea salt to raw honey and massage onto the skin. The salt will help exfoliate and the raw honey has magnificent enzymes to help remove dead skin.
• Bath salts help relieve swelling and provide a nice fragrance and relaxing atmosphere to your bath. Also you are less likely to become a prune in a salt bath! Many athletes take salt baths to ease muscle soreness and aching joints.
• Salt crystal lamps are believed to aid in reducing allergens, supporting the immune system, boosting serotonin levels, improving alertness, and promoting wellbeing.

Misc

There are many uses for salt as is noted above with the outrageously long list, but here are some fun random uses for salt!

• Salt can be used to drip-proof candles by soaking new candles in a strong salt water solution for a few hours.
• Salt when thrown on a fire with create bright yellow flames, but more importantly is will help remove soot.
• Salt will help keep weeds and grass from growing in cracks in the patio. Just sprinkle the area with salt and add a touch of water.
• Three pounds of salt mixed with a gallon of soapy water and applied to poison ivy leaves will kill the plant.
• Windows can be kept frost free by rubbing with saltwater. Using a cloth bag containing salt that has been moistened and rubbing it our your carʼs windows will keep snow and ice from collecting.
• Another great tip for the team - sprinkling salt in your shoes will take up the moisture and help remove odors!