Saindhava lavana - specialities

Dr. Alap A. Antani C.M.O. Anand Mangal Ayurved Centre, Bharapar, Bhuj- Kutch 094288 12871

Our ancient literatures have described the food as the life only.Our body is depended upon the food what we take and thats why the healthy life is based upon the good food only. We take many type of food in our routine and these all substances fills the demand of the body The use of the Spicies are more in such food articles Indian cooking is incomplete without their use and salt is the chiefly used substance in all these, but we should understand the science before using it. Ayurved has described mainly 5 types of salts viz, 1. Saindhava lavana 2. Sauvarcha lavana 3. Samudra lavana 4. Bid lavana 5. Audbhija Lavana. These all are elaborately mentioned in the texts of Ayurved, but Saindhava Lavana is considered as best among all. Let us know why it is the best among all ?? Saindhava Lavana meaning the salt which is found from the Sindha region. It is also known as rock salt in English.Sindha Salt or Saindhava Lavana is full of the health enhancing qualities and thus only it is considered as best among all. Bhavaprakash Nigantu has mentiones its synonyms as Astri, Manimantha (9That which is found on Manimantha mountain), Shita shiva ( which has soothing properties). The taste of Saindhava salt is Sweet, Also it is having properties like Sukshma, Laghu, and Snigdha, having Sheeta virya, mitigates all the three doshas and having Cardio protective properties, Appetizing properties. It is useful in many of the sufferings like Vrana dosha,Mala stambha, Heart diseases etc.Among all the five types of salt, only saindhava lavana is good for the eyes, heart and aphrodisiac, so that it should only be use for the purpose of cooking. Saindhava salt also

strengthens the bones and which increases the physical growth. The people who dont take the salts can use the Saindhava salt. Many of the people use the Saindhava salt during the Upavasa. The use of the sea salt is increasing now a days and which results into the infertility, vision related problems. In such conditions, Saindhava salt has become the only option. Saindhava salt is used as both 1.food article and 2. Medicine. It has also been mentioned as a great medicine due to its unique qualities. Whenever the Ayurved has use the term Lavana, then always we should understand it as Saindhava salt only. The few of the medicinal usage of Saindhava salt has been mentioned here. 1. Ear ache :- Karna purana with saindhava lavana mixed with goats urine 2. Dog bite: - The Saindhava salt mixed with the juice of aloevera should be heat and given for three days. 3. Chronic rhinitis: - The Saindhava salt should be taken along with warm water at nigts. 4. In krimi Roga: - Basti should be given with the saindhava mixed water. Also it is used in many of the Ayurvedic preparations e.g. Hingvastaka churna, in many other treatments e.g. Asthapan Basti. Also it increases the osmotic pressure. Now a days market available saindhava is not pure, so that it should be examined properly before using for medications. By examining the qualities of the saindhava salt and other salts, we are sure that Lavana or salt are something else than NaCl as all have different in properties. Above all, all have different uses and actions and wise usage of all the salts are the need of our body.