Salt and Water
by Khana Dias LMT
We all know the importance of drinking plenty of water throughout the day. However, did you know that consuming a good quality unrefined/unprocessed salt which is our electrolytes, is just as important for the body to be able to absorb the water properly?
This video by Barbara O'Neill is excellent to watch as she makes it simple in understanding the body's way of processing salt and water and how many different symptoms the body shows when it's dehydrated. You will never look at salt and water the same way again.
by Khana Dias LMT
We all know the importance of drinking plenty of water throughout the day. However, did you know that consuming a good quality unrefined/unprocessed salt which is our electrolytes, is just as important for the body to be able to absorb the water properly?
This video by Barbara O'Neill is excellent to watch as she makes it simple in understanding the body's way of processing salt and water and how many different symptoms the body shows when it's dehydrated. You will never look at salt and water the same way again.
Here is a timeline of the video:
- [00:34] The four vital elements for life: oxygen, water, sodium, and potassium.
- [01:09] Common reasons people give for not drinking enough water, such as not liking it or experiencing swelling.
- [02:25] How to get water inside the body's cells, introducing sodium as a key element.
- [02:39] Seawater contains 92 minerals and is considered an isotonic solution, similar to the body's mineral composition.
- [03:06] The process of making table salt from seawater is described, highlighting that it contains only two minerals (sodium chloride) compared to the 92 found in natural seawater.
- [03:59] Celtic salt is introduced as a healthier alternative, containing 82 minerals, which is much closer to the natural composition of seawater.
- [04:29] The roles of sodium and potassium in the body are discussed, particularly their balance inside and outside the cell.
- [04:58] Why people are often advised to stop consuming salt, attributing it to the imbalance caused by excessive table salt.
- [05:47] Different types of salts like Himalayan salt and Murray River salt are briefly mentioned, noting their mineral content.
- [06:17] A biblical reference (Matthew 5:13) about salt losing its savor is connected to the loss of minerals in salt.
- [06:56] How an imbalance of sodium and potassium, often due to high table salt intake and low fruit/vegetable consumption, can lead to high blood pressure.
- [08:50] The role of sodium in glucose transport into the blood is explained.
- [10:29] The three types of magnesium found in Celtic salt are listed, and magnesium's role in pulling water into cells is described.
- [12:22] When water enters the cell membrane, it generates energy.
- [13:50] Tips for storing Celtic salt, especially in humid conditions, are provided.
- [14:14] The isotonic nature of seawater is reiterated, and its historical use in sailors' manuals and even for blood transfusions is mentioned.
- [15:05] Dr. De Langre perspective on salt in France, where mineralized salt is commonly used, is shared.
- [15:53] Examples of calcium needing vitamin D and glucose needing insulin to enter cells, paralleling the need for salt for water absorption.
- [18:00] High blood pressure is discussed as the body's attempt to force essential nutrients into cells when there's a crisis.
- [19:08] A comprehensive list of causes for high blood pressure is presented, including dehydration, insufficient or excessive salt, lack of greens, no sun, inactivity, and poor diet.
- [21:28] Various natural blood thinners are listed as alternatives to medications like Warfarin and Aspirin, including water, Celtic salt, cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger, and omega-3s.
- [25:15] The book "The Body's Many Cries for Water" by Dr. Batmanghelidj is introduced, highlighting his findings on water's healing properties.
- [26:03] Dr. Batmanghelidj's experience using only water to heal patients as a political prisoner is recounted.
- [26:38] The importance of water for stomach mucosa and hydrochloric acid production is explained.
- [28:05] The daily water loss from the body through various organs is detailed.
- [29:17] The impact of dehydration on the pancreas and its role in releasing digestive enzymes and hormones (glycogen and insulin) is explained.
- [31:34] The effect of dehydration on the colon, leading to constipation, is discussed.
- [32:06] How dehydration affects the brain, causing shrinking cells, headaches, and negative thought patterns.
- [32:39] The impact of dehydration on the lungs and oxygen absorption is explained.
- [34:39] A personal anecdote about a man who suffered from chronic headaches, chest congestion, and lower back pain due to severe dehydration is shared, demonstrating the simple solution of increasing water intake.
- [39:19] Another anecdote is shared about bricklayers who resolved their back pain by switching from soda to water.
- [41:01] The importance of water filters to remove fluoride and chlorine from tap water is emphasized.
- [41:22] The effectiveness of alkaline water machines is briefly discussed in the context of overall diet and lifestyle.
- [41:57] Experiences with headaches and sinus problems due to insufficient water intake, and how improving her hydration resolved these issues.
- [42:49] Tips for proper water consumption throughout the day are offered, emphasizing sipping small amounts rather than large quantities at once.
- [43:28] The importance of proper ventilation in bedrooms to account for water loss during sleep is highlighted.
- [44:22] A general rule for daily water intake (1 liter per 25 kg of body weight) is provided.
- [44:57] Creative ways to encourage children to drink water are suggested.
- [45:49] The importance of drinking water between meals to maintain proper stomach acid pH for digestion is explained.
- [47:01] Dr. Christopher's perspective on drinking too much water is shared, noting that it's almost impossible if minerals are also consumed.
- [47:28] Recommendation of about a teaspoon of proper salt per day, gradually increasing intake if not used to it.
- [47:56] Hydrotherapy and the benefits of steam saunas for detoxification and healing are discussed.
- [49:21] A simple home remedy using hot and cold water for treating injuries like a rusty nail wound is demonstrated.
- [53:57] Another example of using hot and cold water treatment for cellulitis in a child's finger is provided.
- [56:55] The benefits and procedure for a straight hot foot bath to relieve headaches, stress, and congestion are explained.
Barbara mentions a few different salts in this video. In addition to the recommendations, I added a few others to the list.
- Himalayan salt, a salt we have been using in our home, which I thought was a good quality as so many doctors recommend it. However, after seeing the mineral analysis from two different companies that sell it, I was a little disappointed, as you can see in the chart below some levels of minerals were not included by the company and the ones that were, it's lower from other salts.
- Celtic Sea salt is sold by Salina Naturally nice salt for cooking.
- Macrobiotic salt. The company is located in Australia. They don't normally ship to US as the shipping costs more than the salt, so I did not include it in this chart.
- Murray River salt you can find on www.saltworks.us. It was nice that I did not have to call the company, as they have the mineral analysis on their site.
- Real Salt many may have seen it in stores.
- Makai Sea Salt, although Barbara does not mention this salt however after seeing the mineral analysis, this has become our go to for using it in water/salt protocol.
About Barbara O'Neill:
www.barbhealth.com
Barbara O’Neill, author, educator, qualified naturopath and nutritionist, is also an international speaker on natural self-healing. She has raised eight children and is a specialist in women’s and children’s health. Barbara is passionate about good health and natural healing. She believes in giving the body optimum conditions in order for it to heal itself.
She is also the health director of the successful Misty Mountain Health Education & Wellness Retreat, located in Australia.
For more information about the importance of salt and water, visit www.watercures.org
www.barbhealth.com
Barbara O’Neill, author, educator, qualified naturopath and nutritionist, is also an international speaker on natural self-healing. She has raised eight children and is a specialist in women’s and children’s health. Barbara is passionate about good health and natural healing. She believes in giving the body optimum conditions in order for it to heal itself.
She is also the health director of the successful Misty Mountain Health Education & Wellness Retreat, located in Australia.
For more information about the importance of salt and water, visit www.watercures.org
Testimonial:
For the clients that come in with any types of pain or who have active lifestyles, I share the information about the importance of good quality unrefined salt and water. Here is a testimonial from one of my clients who started the salt/water protocol that you can find here.
"Water has benefited both my daughter and I. I was recently really injured and was in almost constant pain. I started using salt twice a day followed by 10-16 oz of water and within a week I really turned a corner as far as pain management goes.
Similarly, my daughter is an athlete and she plays club volleyball. Typically, on a tournament weekend, she will play anywhere from 4-8 games. Often they will have a break between At least two of the games. This is when her energy and alertness starts to wane. I see a real drop in productivity in the matches after a break. This weekend I gave her salt and water right after the breaks and noticed almost no difference in her playing!" ~Sara
For the clients that come in with any types of pain or who have active lifestyles, I share the information about the importance of good quality unrefined salt and water. Here is a testimonial from one of my clients who started the salt/water protocol that you can find here.
"Water has benefited both my daughter and I. I was recently really injured and was in almost constant pain. I started using salt twice a day followed by 10-16 oz of water and within a week I really turned a corner as far as pain management goes.
Similarly, my daughter is an athlete and she plays club volleyball. Typically, on a tournament weekend, she will play anywhere from 4-8 games. Often they will have a break between At least two of the games. This is when her energy and alertness starts to wane. I see a real drop in productivity in the matches after a break. This weekend I gave her salt and water right after the breaks and noticed almost no difference in her playing!" ~Sara
It's also easy to make your own electrolyte drinks using ingredients that you most likely have in your kitchen. As recommended by WHO and UNICEF recipe and guidelines for oral rehydration salts (ORS) this is their recipe.
This recipe I have been making for our family. This is a basic recipe and every so often I will also add Blackstrap Unrefined Molasses.
1/4 cup Raw Honey or Manuka Honey
1/4 cup Fresh Squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp of Makai or Celtic sea salt
7 Cups water
I like to blend my salt with lemon first to make sure the salt is dissolved. Then add honey to the mix and after it's mixed add the water. But there is no set ways in mixing it as you can add everything in blender. Also, you can modify the recipe to your taste buds.
As a rule of thumb, with any ingredients you want to use fresh local and organic to make sure the end quality is healthy.
- 6 teaspoons sugar (Good quality unrefined sugar is always a better choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 liter (or 4.2 cups) of filtered drinking water
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This recipe I have been making for our family. This is a basic recipe and every so often I will also add Blackstrap Unrefined Molasses.
1/4 cup Raw Honey or Manuka Honey
1/4 cup Fresh Squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp of Makai or Celtic sea salt
7 Cups water
I like to blend my salt with lemon first to make sure the salt is dissolved. Then add honey to the mix and after it's mixed add the water. But there is no set ways in mixing it as you can add everything in blender. Also, you can modify the recipe to your taste buds.
As a rule of thumb, with any ingredients you want to use fresh local and organic to make sure the end quality is healthy.
2025 UPDATE: Since this blog was originally published in 2015, new testing has revealed that common salts often contain measurable amounts of unwanted substances like heavy metals (such as lead) and microplastics. Consumers should take extra care to select certified, high-quality salts to ensure maximum purity. Please read more in this recent investigation: Sea Salt & Himalayan Salt Tested for Heavy Metals Like Lead & Microplastics Guide.
Disclaimer: All information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have.
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