Questions and Answers about Soma Salt

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Questions about Soma Salt™ and SVA Answers from Vaidya Mishra June 1, 2012 From Jenny P. - Texas “Thank you so much for the Newsletters. They are wonderful. What gems of knowledge. I have a question. Is it O.K. to soak my feet in Epson Salt, or to take baths in Pure Sea Salt? Also can I use 1 teaspoon of Soma Salt deluded in water before bed to stop “charlie horses” (cramping in my legs) during the night? I take B/P medication. Thank you, Jenny P.” Vaidya: Dear Jenny -‐ because you have BP and you are currently on medication, try to avoid salt as much as possible, even transdermally. I think you should try instead the SuperSport TD cream on your legs and, from time to time, Maha SuryaShanti cream on your legs before bed. The SuperSport cream will help by opening the Nadi-‐s (vibrational channels) and the Maha SuryaShanti will help by supplying zinc transdermally.

From V.P. Sharma – India, Dear sir: I am a teacher of basic principles of Ayurveda in India. I want to know how SVA explains the Samprapti of salt cravings.

Vaidya: As you know, the Samprapti Chakra (circle of etio-‐patho-‐genesis or the cycle of root causes that results in symptoms and imbalances) alters based on the hetu. Any hetu or etiological factor, which is uses or dries up Soma or its expression in the body, kapha, leads to the craving of salt. This is because salt contains both Soma and Agni. When people have less Soma or less Kapha in their bodies or are not able to access their Soma or get nurtured by it because of problems in digestion or absorption, then they can crave salt or sweet. In addition, if someone’s Soma is depleted or Kapha doshas is imbalanced, they also can crave salt and sweet. All this depends on how much one has electrolyte deficiency, particularly the 4 major electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It all depends on which one and how much there is deficiency of each electrolyte. If the individual is low on sodium, they will then crave salt, etc.

But without going into too much detail, what is the simplest answer for any situation? The answer is to supply the body with a proper blend of Soma and Agni. Salt in general, and Soma Salt™, in particular, contains earthy Soma properties as well as Agni, just like a citrus


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fruit does. A citrus fruit contains liquid Soma and Agni. If someone is craving extra salt, then the proper pranic substitute would be fresh lime juice along with a little bit of salt. This will readily fulfill the desire and correct the imbalance that is giving the desire. This is also why we give our rehydration drink to fulfill the demand of both Soma and Agni by adding little bit of sugar and some channel opening black pepper or peppermint. The rehydration drink helps to get rid of the salt craving.

Also, adding spices like black pepper opens the channel, cumin supports the absorption, ajwain opens the channels and supports digestion, because this is also necessary to metabolize the electrolyte. However, sometimes if the body’s circulatory channels are blocked then even though someone will ingest electrolytes, these will not reach the deeper cellular levels and the brain will keep receiving the indication that still, deep in the cells, electrolytes are missing. These people will inevitably crave more salt. In this sense, Soma Salt™ is ideal because it contains all the electrolytes that occur naturally. Here is a fruit salad recipe – with no sugar added – that has a perfect balance of Soma, Agni, channel opening and absorption enhancing spices, in addition to Soma Salt™.

Electrolyte fruit salad recipe: Pear or sweet apple : 4 oz peeled and chopped Papaya or pinapple: 2oz

Blue berries or black berries, 2oz and/or raspberries Soma salt ¼ to ½ tsp as per taste Mum’s masala 1 tsp Lime juice : squeeze one whole lime Shredded peppermint 1 tablespoon

Apple and pear are a great natural source of Soma, they contain balanced samaagni (sweet and sour properties); pineapple/papaya: in addition to being great natural sources of soma they contain beneficial Agni in fhte form of enzymes; berries are a great source of Soma as well as beta carotene and antioxodiants, plus they have low glycemic index – they don’t give you a sugar high.


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Greg T – San Francisco: other than food recommendations, are there any other tips for reducing or stopping excess salt craving? Thanks, Greg.

Vaidya: The balance between rest and activity, too much activity mental or physical without having proper rest uses up more Soma or Ojas (the raw material of Ojas is Soma). When we don’t take proper breaks from work or don’t have enough rest we are using up our kapha and creating an unusual demand for Soma. So that’s why unusually vigorous physical exercise, or even other activities such as watching too much TV, can dry out the Soma (in the case of the TV it is not just over-‐exposure to

the EMF but if the content is emotionally disturbing then Sadhak Pitta is imbalanced and goes high and uses up more Soma in the body). Another common cause leading to salt addition is not sleeping well at night or going to bed late. This aggravates Vata, which in turn dries up Soma resulting in salt craving. Another common factor: too much of a stressful life uses up Soma. Or: eating too much spicy food… Or flying on planes too much. You get the picture: any activity which is dries up or burns the Soma, imbalances the Kapha dosha, and consumes the Ojas

has to be reduced or stopped. Based on a particular person’s Hetu (what is the root cause in your own life), you have to reduce these activities.

So first do Hetu Parivarjan, that is identify your root cause, then do marma treatment (self marma point massage), then Samadhi Set on Talahridiya before meditation or yoga twice a day, in addition to Abhanga Massage with SVA Vata massage oil with Magnesium and Vit D. Plus: every 2-‐3 hours of work, whether mental or physical, take a 20 minutes rest break.

Shilpa from Gujrat- India: “I am from Junagarh, Gujrat, is Soma Salt™ a fasting salt? Thank you.”

Vaidya: The raw material of Soma Salt™ is fasting salt or Himalayan salt, but it goes through a Sodhana (or purification) process where toxic chemicals are flushed out so that there are no unwanted minerals or metals left. Link to OLD soma salt article. In India, during religious or other rituals and celebrations it is common practice to stop using regular table salt and to prefer a salt that is purely vegetarian (untainted by any animal source),

naturally occurring, not processed, etc. In this sense, yes, Soma Salt™ satisfies the requirements of ritual fasting.


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Anna H. from Bern – Germany: Can Soma Salt™ be used for any other purposes besides food? Danke!

Vaidya-‐ The Shastras cite many uses for this Soma Salt™. For example, to have or to maintain healthy gums and teeth, you can gargle with

¼ tsp of Soma S™alt and 1 tsp of Turmeric boil. Boil the mixture in 8oz of water and gargle before bed. This will also help with gingivitis. It can also help reduce the onset of a sore throat or hoarseness. Otherwise, Soma Salt™ can also make a scrub for the bath:

take 2 tablespoons of quinoa flakes or oatmeal, ½ tsp of soma salt, 3-‐4 drops of lavender oil, Put all in a cheese cloth bag, scrub down your body and then take a bath or shower. This scrub can also be used for cleaning the skin or putting into place a deep detox of the skin, in addition, the minerals in the salt will take care of cellular fatigue. This Soma Salt™ can also be used for helping with muscular sprains aches and pains. can Make a poultice with:

1 tsp of soma salt, 1 Tbsp of turmeric, Add these to a cheese-‐cloth then warm on a dry skillet or in the oven, pat down on the painful area but be careful not to burn your skin. This will improve circulation by opening the channels and the healing power of the turmeric and the healing power of soma salt and its minerals will give relief and healing. Caution: do not put salt on an open wound.

Last but not least you can also use Soma Salt™ to soak your feet in with hot water. This will help get rid of aches and pains by enhancing circulation after work when you feel tightness or stiffness in the legs and feet.

Add to 2 liters of hot water 1 tsp of soma salt, when it is lukewarm, add 2-‐3 drops of SVA Neroli oil, put in your feet. CAUTION: if you are diabetic or have a Blood Pressure condition do not do this protocol. Consult with your medical doctor first.

Heather S. – Vermont: What about black salt? Is it also a good salt? It helps digestion etc?

Vaidya: Besides Soma Salt™, there are many other kinds of salt and Ayurveda recognizes them, but most of them, including black salt, are for occasional use or


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medicinal use only. Black salt is one of those. Unless used for specific purposes, in daily use it can aggravate pitta and disturb the probiotic balance in your gut. So it is best to stay away unless you are following an expert’s recommendation.

Melissa M. from Los Angeles: I would like to reduce the salt intake in my food, but when I do I find that my appetite also goes lower. Does salt enhance appetite? And is it necessary in this sense?

Vaidya: Yes because salt has Agni, that’s why it increases appetite. The Shastras explain that it is Deepana, that is: it supports the digestive flame, and it also has a Pachana effect, and helps the total digestive process. But fresh lime juice with some black pepper and ginger can help reduce your salt intake without imbalancing your digestive process, because that way you will be supporting your Deepana and Pachana with the Agni of these materials, as well as opening the channels and gaps in your body to get the most out of your food.

Sandra Y. from NYC: I have cellulite on my legs/upper thighs. I know that this is related to water retention problems. Will eating Soma salt™ as opposed to regular salt, and eating less of it, help me get rid of the cellulite? Thanks!

Vaidya: Cellulite is not just related to water retention. It is a condition that arises from the accumulation of Vasa, which is fat, not Meda dhatu. So switching over to Soma Salt™ in smaller quantities instead of regular salt should help you, but you may also use SVA MedAgni Masala™ in your food and SVA Firming Lotion™ topically, in addition to Samagni Clay™ (all available on www.chandika.com). Also avoid channel clogging foods (like the nightshades – tomato, potato, eggplant, bellpepper), bad fats (canola, corn, etc), processed aged cheeses, heavy desserts, etc.

Questions and Answers about Soma Salt

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