The Best Sea Salt: Celtic Sea Salt

Discover the centuries-old secret of Celtic Sea Salt, a treasured natural ingredient with a rich history and an unmatched mineral profile. Hailing from the pristine waters of the Atlantic coastline, this unrefined sea salt has been hand-harvested using traditional methods passed down through generations.

This blog post is your ultimate guide to learning about this treasured natural ingredient with a rich history and an unmatched mineral profile. Discover how this unrefined sea salt is hand-harvested using traditional methods passed down through generations, and how it sets itself apart from conventional table salt by boasting a wide array of essential minerals and trace elements that offer numerous health benefits. By unlocking the flavorful and nourishing potential of Celtic Sea Salt, you’ll be incorporating a natural ingredient into your culinary adventures and wellness journey that dates back centuries.

Celtic Sea Salt | History

Celtic Sea Salt is a sea salt that has been harvested by hand in the traditional way. It’s known for its rich history and unmatched mineral profile, which makes it a great choice for anyone looking to add more minerals into their diet.
The Celtic Sea Salt Company was founded in 1980 by John Paterson, who was inspired by his travels through Europe where he saw how much people valued the health benefits of salt as well as its taste. He wanted to bring this tradition back home with him, so he brought together some friends who were also interested in using traditional methods of harvesting sea salt along with him at their farmhouse outside Edinburgh, Scotland (hence why we call it “Celtic”).

Traditional Harvesting Methods

The traditional methods of harvesting Celtic Sea Salt are a fascinating study in history. The salt is harvested by hand using wooden rakes and clay pots that have been passed down through generations. These tools are still used today because they allow for the most efficient and sustainable method of harvesting this valuable mineral.

Culinary Uses

Celtic Sea Salt is one of the most popular culinary salts in the world. It has been used for centuries to enhance the taste of regional dishes, from French crepes to Italian pasta. Celtic Sea Salt can be used in place of regular table salt or kosher salt when cooking at home or at restaurants, but it should not be substituted for iodized table salt as it does not contain iodine. In other words, make sure you still obtain iodine from other sources like eggs or kelp.

Flavor & Heritage

It’s no secret that Celtic Sea Salt has a unique flavor and heritage. But what exactly makes this salt so special? Let’s take a look at the science behind it:

• The mineral content of Celtic Sea Salt is higher than other types of sea salt, which means it can be used as an alternative to table salt in recipes. This makes it ideal for those who want to reduce their sodium intake or just want something different from plain old table salt.
• The flavor profile varies depending on where you live and how long your product has been stored (if at all). Many people prefer this natural variation over processed foods because it gives them more control over what goes into their bodies–and how much!
• Although there haven’t been any studies conducted specifically on this topic yet, many nutritionists agree that using unrefined salts like Celtic Sea Salt will help boost immunity during cold seasons due to its high mineral content.

Use in Traditional Medicine

Celtic Sea Salt is a great choice for anyone who wants to add a little extra flavor to their food. But it’s also got some healing potential, and can be used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments.

Celtic Sea Salt has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that help with respiratory issues like asthma or allergies. It can also be used topically as an antibacterial treatment for cuts and scrapes, improving circulation while reducing pain and swelling–and even helping heal skin conditions like psoriasis!

Celtic Sea Salt | Nutrition Facts

Sea Salt is a natural, unrefined salt which contains a variety of minerals and trace elements, which contribute to its numerous health benefits.

Minerals

Aside from Sodium and Chloride, most of the minerals are in small amounts. For 2tsp of Celtic sea salt most minerals are <1% of the DV (Daily Value). While this may seem insignificant, it adds up when you regularly consume this salt in your cooked and raw food.

1. Sodium
2. Chloride
3. Magnesium
4. Sulfur
5. Potassium
6. Calcium
7. Silicon
8. Phosphorus
9. Iron
10. Manganese
11. Zinc
12. Copper
13. Iodine
14. Bromide
15. Carbonate
16. Nitrate
17. Fluoride
18. Boron
19. Strontium

Trace Elements

1. Gold
2. Silver
3. Barium
4. Bismuth
5. Chromium
6. Cobalt
7. Gallium
8. Germanium
9. Rubidium
10. Selenium
11. Tellurium
12. Thallium
13. Titanium
14. Vanadium
15. Yttrium

Celtic Sea Salt | Health Benefits

1. Rich in minerals and trace elements
   • Celtic Sea Salt contains essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which help maintain a balanced electrolyte level in the body (1).
   • Trace elements, like manganese, zinc, and copper, also play important roles in various bodily functions (1).
2. Supports a healthy balance of electrolytes
   • Electrolytes are crucial for regulating nerve and muscle function, maintaining proper pH levels, and hydrating the body (2).
3. May improve respiratory health
   • Salt inhalation therapy, also known as halotherapy, has been shown to help with respiratory issues, such as asthma & allergies (3). Using Celtic Sea Salt in a saline solution for nasal rinsing can potentially provide relief from congestion & support sinus health.
4. Promotes relaxation and detoxification when used in baths
   • Magnesium in Celtic Sea Salt can help soothe tired muscles & promote relaxation (4). Additionally, the high mineral content may help draw out impurities from the skin (5).
5. Lower sodium content compared to table salt
   • Celtic Sea Salt has a slightly lower sodium content than regular table salt, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels when consumed in moderation (6).
6. Contains no additives or anti-caking agents
   • Unlike regular table salt, Celtic Sea Salt is free of additives & anti-caking agents, which makes it a more natural & unprocessed option (7).

As with any food (dietary change) or supplement, individual benefits can vary. Some may see improvements, others may not notice a difference. Ultimately it depends on if you are deficient in any of the minerals contained in Celtic sea salt. Either way, consuming sea salt can help ensure you are not completely mineral deficient in many important minerals, which goes a long way to maintaining health and preventing disease.

Celtic Sea Salt | Suggested Use

According to the American Heart Association, the ideal limit for sodium intake is 1,500 mg per day for most adults, while the maximum daily limit is 2,300 mg (approximately 1 teaspoon of table salt) per day. While Celtic Sea Salt has less sodium than table salt, it’s still important to consume in moderation, as excess sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure and other health issues.

Celtic Sea Salt | How to Prepare

While pretty much everyone knows how to use salt (you just sprinkle it on food). Here is a list of ways to use sea salt:

1. As a Seasoning: Simple replace table salt with Celtic Sea Salt when seasoning your meals, to begin enjoying it’s benefits! It adds a subtle flavor without overloading your dishes with sodium. And provides all those healthy trace minerals!
2. For Cooking: Use Celtic Sea Salt while cooking soups, stews, or sauces to enhance their taste while maintaining the natural mineral content.
3. Relaxing Salt Baths: Dissolve Celtic Sea Salt in warm water to create a soothing bath that can help relax muscles and detoxify impurities from the skin.
4. Nasal rinse for Congestion: Mix a saline solution with Celtic Sea Salt and use it as a nasal rinse to clear congestion and support sinus health.

Sea Moss | Contact Your Physician First

Sure Celtic Sea Salt can be a healthier alternative to regular table salt. Regardless some individuals with the following health conditions should contact their physician (or a nutritionist) before using it:

1. High blood pressure (hypertension): Excessive sodium intake can worsen high blood pressure, therefore people with hypertension should discuss their salt consumption with a healthcare professional.
2. Kidney disease: People with kidney disease might have difficulty regulating their electrolyte levels, and consuming excess sodium may place additional strain on the kidneys.
3. Cardiovascular (heart) issues: Excess sodium can increase fluid retention, which may worsen cardiovascular conditions.
4. People on a sodium-restricted diet: If following a strict low-sodium diet due to medical reasons, you should consult your physician before using Celtic Sea Salt (or any other salt for that matter), before increasing salt intake.
5. Pregnant or breastfeeding: While sodium is essential during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s important to maintain a balanced intake.
6. Taking medications (that interact with sodium or other minerals): Some medications can interact with sodium, potassium, or and of the other minerals found in Celtic Sea Salt.
7. Vestibular disorders such as Meniere’s disease: Excess sodium consumption may exacerbate symptoms of Meniere’s disease or other vestibular disorders. Consult your physician before changing your salt intake.
8. Those with a history of edema or fluid retention: Excess sodium intake can increase fluid retention, therefore those with a history of edema should consult their healthcare provider prior to increasing salt intake with Celtic Sea Salt.

Generally it’s a rule of thumb that if you have a major health condition or are on any medications, to contact your physician before making any major changes to your diet including the addition of minerals, herbs or supplements.

Celtic Sea Salt | Where to buy?

Personally I order my Celtic Sea Salt off Amazon, but some local grocery stores do provide it. Here it the brand I use and trust over all others:

Nutritional Deficiency Diseases

Many types of disease can have as a root source or contributing factor, various nutritional deficiencies and replacing refined table salt with mineral rich Celtic sea salt, is one way to help increase intake of all those essential minerals. If you follow the work of Dr. Joel Wallach, he discovered first through nutrient deficiencies in animals, and then looking at disease in humans, that a vast number of diseases are the result of nutritional deficiencies. Dr. Joel Wallach pioneered and has advocated for “The Mighty 90” essential nutrients, which he promotes as a way to stave off and heal from many different diseases.

There are few doctors I respect, and Dr. Joel Wallach is at the top of that list. He is one of those rare doctors that genuinely cares about reducing the disease burden on humanity, and making the world a better place. If his dietary recommendations were established in hospitals and as standard protocol around the world, disease could be largely eradicated. If you are trying to: prevent illness, age gracefully into your senior years, recover from illness or are fighting severe illness…then there is very little risk to supplementing with his Mighty 90 Nutrients, to improve health outcomes & over-all health.

I started looking into condiments like Celtic sea salt thanks to Dr. Wallach, in an attempt to find foods that are nutrient rich and yet cheap for those that can’t afford supplements. So if you are tight financially, Celtic Sea Salt is one way to help reduce the mineral deficiency burden. You can check out my other blog posts or shop, to see other affordable superfoods that can help you improve your health.

Celtic Sea Salt | Conclusion

Aside from costing a tiny bit more, there is no other reason to not replace highly refined table salt with nutrient rich Celtic Sea Salt. It’s an easy swap, and way of improving your health. It comes in all forms, is available in most countries and tastes even better than table salt. What’s not to love! And of course some individuals with specific health conditions should contact their physician before making any dietary, changes, which includes adding Celtic sea salt to their diet. But for most people Celtic Sea Salt is a “no brainer”.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770358/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22854410/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3937102/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25540137/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15689218/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997397/
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750020300139