Ayurveda holds a fairly lofty opinion for salt, while the medical science is against the use of sodium. Salt is also like sour foods and elevates all elements but the air element. Salt is very effective for the people who are nervous by nature.
Salt aids in digestion as well as in circulation. It also affects the fluid action of the body by increasing saliva and diluting the sputum. Salt aids in opening up the blocked channels. When used in excess salt causes contraction and can lead to general feebleness including wrinkles, hyperacidity, high blood pressure, impurities in the blood, burning and itching sensations, inflammation of the lymph glands, gout, heart conditions, impotency, loose teeth, baldness, darkening of the skin, pigmentation etc.
The salt is heavy, hot and pungent. Its sharpness stimulates the appetite, changes and consistency of saliva and softens food. Though as per Ayurveda Salt is hot, it has capacity for retaining fluids and it gives it a fairly balanced firewater action. Salt`s hygroscopic action or the action of salt on fluids is very soothing and has a cleansing effect as salt helps to loosen denser materials that has a impact and tendency to clogging the vital organs and ducts of the body. When salt is consumed in high doses is causes vomiting.
It is evident that intake of salt should be controlled when there is excessive thirst. Salt is prescribed when there is any kind of skin disease, loose teeth, signs of premature aging like graying or balding of hair.
The Ayurvedic teachings originated in a time much before the modern era where processed, devitalized and chemically altered foods are of much use. According to the Indian idea salts are sea salts and rock salts and alkaline foods. These form of salts are often rich in other trace minerals. These types of salts are also available in the western countries. But the taste of these salts is stronger and salivary secretions are much when these salts are consumed. It is important to realize that salts are required to make the foods taste sharper.
Salts pacify the people who are highly excitable but the excess use of salt is harmful to the arteries as doctors say.
