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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

History of Salt and its other Uses

Across the board, salt has played a key role in most cultures.  Economically it’s been important throughout the ages.  Salt has been referenced and utilized in nearly all time periods and cultures from before recorded history.  It’s been used as money and for trade in many early cultures.  Some examples of the key roles include:
Salt was paid to soldiers in Rome.
container of saltThe Dutch foiled Phillip II of Spain’s plans in the 16th century by blockading an Iberian salt works. Salts key role economically led to Spain’s bankruptcy with the loss of this key product during the blockade; thus preventing a war. 
Salt tax in France became a major contributing factor to the French revolution.
China published, somewhere between 2700 BC to 4700 BC, a treatise concerning the medical uses of salt.
“Not worth his salt” stems from an ancient Greek practice of trading salt for slaves.
British crown issued the first patent to an American settler, giving Samuel Winslow exclusive rights to produce salt using his own procedures.
Erie Canal, known as the ditch that salt built, was initially used to transport salt.
The importance of salt has evoked many fairy tales and myths. The early Chinese had a folklore describing the discovery of salt. Egyptians used salt in the mummification process. Some of the earliest Egyptian writings have a description of how to extract salt. Salt extraction and processing crosses many cultures from Egyptian, Chinese to French, Persian and Italian.
Salt has been a part of religion as well.  Some cultures ascribe magical powers to salt from protection to cleansing. The bible and the Talmud have numerous references to salt.


Health and Beauty Tips
Use Saltwater:
To ease a sore throat by gargling (make it warm).
A mixture of ½ teaspoon of salt in a pint of water to reduce tired and puffy eyes.
To soak sore feet (keep the water warm).
To ease mosquitoes and chigger bites, soak in saltwater, then mix lard with salt to rub on the affected area. Additionally for bee stings – immediately moisten area and rub salt on the sting. 
To help heal poison ivy (make this hot water).  

Combine sea salt and oil:
To create a scrub. Rosemary oil is good to inhale if there is nasal congestion. Salt is slightly abrasive to help with exfoliating the skin.& Helps stimulate the lymph production which helps eliminate toxins. Caution – do not apply to face or broken skin areas.
Or water to create a paste. Rub on body starting with arms and working down Add essential oils to create your favorite scent.Caution – test this on a small area to make sure your body can tolerate the scent and product. Natural oils you can use include Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Olive Oil. Soak in a tub with sea salt to relax and refresh yourself. 
Mix sea salt with your favorite essential oils to create custom bath salts. Two ounces of sea salt to about three eye droppers full of oil combinations. 
Suggestion – mix multiple oils in a container before adding to salt. This gives the oil a chance to blend scents before adding to salt. Uplifting blend add equal parts of lime, grapefruit, sweet orange, tangerine, and lemongrass.
Natural decongestant - blend equal parts of eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary. If this is too strong you can also add a few drops of peppermint to the mixture.Be careful when working with peppermint as it can overwhelm the senses very easily.

Other Uses for Salt:
Salt has a variety of uses both in the out of the kitchen.  Its versatility, from medical to household uses is one of the reasons it has been so sought out throughout time. The varieties may seem confusing at first but break down into three simple categories. So next time you pick up a salt shaker, you will be picking up a bit of history, health and flavor.
 
Outdoor and Garden tips:
Add a pinch of salt to the water of fresh cut flowers to lengthen life.
Remove poison ivy with a salt and soapy water mix, three pounds of salt to a gallon of soapy water.
Deodorize canvas shoes by sprinkling with salt.
Spread salt between bricks or blocks on your patio to keep unwanted weeds from growing up. Sprinkle gently with water so the salt hardens.
Lightly sprinkle rock salt on walks and driveways to assist with snow removal.

Play tips:
Make a salt dough for children.
Make a mini volcano out of salt.

Cleaning tips:
Salt can be used in almost any room of the house to assist in cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing the home.  Combined with other substances like lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda it is a strong and versatile cleaner. Caution – always test the mixtures on a small area to ensure safe usage.
Following is a list of cleaning tasks salt can make easier: Use a paste of salad oil and salt to remove rings from tables. Apply and let stand for an hour or two before wiping off.
Rub salt: 
Into cups or pitchers to remove tea or coffee stains.

On the sides of vases to remove water deposits, if unreachable soak in a salt brine.

In thermos and jugs to deodorize.

On tarnished silver before washing.
Plain, not iodized salt on the sides of an empty fish tank to remove water deposits.  Rinse thoroughly before placing fish back in the tank.
On cutting boards (after washing thoroughly) with a damp cloth to brighten up the board.


Sprinkle salt:
On a piece of paper and run a hot iron over it to remove rough spots from an iron.
On wine stains after blotting the excess, covering the stain. Let dry, if a table cloth rinse with cold water; if carpet then scrape up the salt and vacuum.
Into a greasy pan and wipe with paper to degrease.
On eggy dishes right after breakfast for an easy clean up.
In the oven and use lots of elbow grease for a clean and shiny oven.
Or pour salt to smother grease fires.
Occasionally use a handful or two on the flames of a fire in a fireplace to turn the flames yellow and loosen soot in the chimney.
Combine vinegar and salt:
And flour (using equal parts) into a paste. Apply paste to any brass and let sit for an hour, before cleaning with a soft cloth.
As a scrub to remove stains on copper pans.
To scrub grease spots out of carpets – be careful not to scrub too hard and damage the nap of the carpet (use one part salt to four parts vinegar).
To remove onion odor from your hands.
Combine salt and water:
To cleanse perspiration stains, combine 4 tablespoons of salt to 1 quart of hot water, then use a sponge to dab at the stains.
To remove blood stains in natural fibers like cotton. Soak stained clothing in cold saltwater, then wash in warm soapy water, then boil.
To wash and brighten curtains and washable rugs.
To soak toothbrushes before using to extend life.
To soak a new broom before using to extend the life (make sure to use hot water).
And send it down the sink drain to eliminate grease and odors.
To remove bitterness and stains from coffee pots (use four tablespoons of salt to a pot of water).
To scrub wicker and set in sun to clean and prevent yellowing.
Combine lemon juice and salt to:
Make a paste to scrub the bathroom to get rid of mildew.
To remove mildew or rust stains, soak item and place in the sun for bleaching.
Create a paste to rub on piano keys to prevent yellowing.
Combine baking soda and salt:
To make a refrigerator deodorizer.
Combine with water to clean and freshen the refrigerator without scratching.
To create a tooth cleanser.  Use moistened toothbrush to dip into the mixture and brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.
With boiling water to clean and brighten yellowed cottons or linens.
 
Other Uses:
Using strong saltwater, soak your candles for a few hours. Take out and let dry, then your candles won’t drip.
Have artificial flowers to arrange? Pour salt in the vase, add a little cold water, and then arrange the flowers. The water/salt mixture will harden to hold them in place.
Saltwater – use a sponge to wipe down windows and then wipe dry to prevent windows from frosting over. Similarly using moistened salt over the car windshield will keep it free of snow and ice.
Why buy expensive exfoliates and other beauty products when you can create your own from an inexpensive product available in everyone’s cupboards. 
Use dry salt as a scrub after a shower or bath to exfoliate dry skin.

source: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/Salt.htm
credit to the writer's references.
Sources:
Salt Institute
Salt Traders
Maharajh, Christina “20 Amazing Ways to Use Salt”
Bardey, Catherine, Secrets of the Spas, Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1999
Breedlove, Greta, The Herbal Home Spa, Storey Books, 1998
Edgson, Vicki and Ian Marber, The Food Doctor, Collins & Brown Ltd, 1999

MyNoteUse salt in moderation or anything excessive is not good for the health

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