Did Alexander the Great find Himalayan salt for the first time?
When you imagine the Himalayan mountains, you think of white snow-clad peaks, sky-high. No one imagines layers of pink salt inside these mountains, isn’t it? But the Pink Himalayan salt is what we swear by and widely available nowadays as a substitute for the common sea salt. It is not only available in grocery and speciality food stores, but because of its attractive hue, you might spot it in household items like table lamps too. Himalayan salt is pink halite (rock salt) and a natural form of table salt that is only produced at the Khewra mining site in Pakistan's Punjab region. Let us see what makes Himalayan rock salt so special who found it for the first time.
Who discovered the Himalayan salt?
Some experts theorise that the natural evaporation of the shallow underlying sea in the Himalayan mountains caused the salt range to first form more than 800 million years ago. Later, due to geological movement, salt began to accumulate in the mines (currently in Khewra, Punjab region of Pakistan) which now span more than 300 km. There is a theory that Alexander the Great (king of Macedonia) and his troops were the first to find Himalayan salt. When his soldiers and horses were travelling through the area and in desperate need of food and water, hungry horses led them right to the Himalayan mineral, it is believed. His troops learned later on that the stones were salty. This way, salt was first discovered in the hills, now known as the Salt Range, which is located between the valleys of Jhelum and Indus rivers, in the northern part of the Punjab region of Pakistan. Later on, the Indian Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar (1542 to 1605) mined Himalayan crystal salt for the region's residents and enterprises because of its rich mineral content. The salt mines were fully functional in the late 1820s.
Himalayan salt does not expire: Myth or fact?
If salt is stored in its purest form, it can last for millions of years without expiring. However, if it contains additives or is exposed to excessive heat or dampness, it may spoil much sooner. Therefore, it is recommended that Himalayan salt should be stored in airtight containers at room temperature. If it is not stored properly, it can get infected, which can cause other infections even. So, if you store it properly, it can truly never expire, just like all other salts.
Health benefits of Himalayan salt
Consumption of Himalayan salt could be beneficial in more ways than one. Here are a few of them:
- Regulating the water content in the body
- Maintaining a healthy pH balance of the cells, especially those in the brain
- Promoting bone strength due to its calcium and magnesium content
- Supporting vascular health due to its potassium content
- Regulation of blood pressure
- Promoting sinus health
- Prevention of muscle cramps