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I’ve written before about how salt is not the villain it is often made out to be. There is some age-old evidence that not only is salt not harmful, but that consuming it daily (in a certain form) can be very beneficial for health.
What is Sole?
Sole (pronounced Solay) is essentially water that has been fully saturated with a natural salt. This isn’t just a small amount of salt dissolved in water, but rather water that has absorbed as much natural salt as it is able and will not absorb any more (26% actually…. thanks high school chemistry). The term Sole comes from the Latin “Sol” meaning Sun.
We’ve been told for years that salt can be harmful, so the idea of drinking salt water may sound counter-intuitive, but it turns out that this concentrated salt solution can have a variety of health-supporting uses. This remedy has been used for centuries in some countries and claims both anecdotal and scientifically supported evidence for the following uses:
- Helps Hydration– The body naturally repairs and detoxifies during sleep, but in doing so, it uses up a good amount of water. This is why we are often more thirsty in the morning. Consuming a salt solution like Sole helps the body re-hydrate.
- Helps the Body Detoxify– The minerals in Sole make it useful in the natural detoxification that the body already does. Sole is naturally anti-bacterial and can help remove bad bacteria in the body.
- Boosts Energy– The minerals and stored energy in Sole help boost energy throughout the day.
- Improving Digestion– Sole stimulates the digestive system promoting food absorption and regularity naturally.
- Improving blood sugar– Some people note improvements in blood sugar levels after using Sole.
- A Natural Anti-histamine– Sole can work as a powerful natural anti-histamine. This action is likely due to its balancing effects on the body, and I have noticed this personally.
- Helps with Muscle Cramps– When I played sports, we attributed leg cramps or other cramps to lack of potassium and ate more bananas (which are now the only food I won’t eat). Don’t know about the potassium theory, but I know that since using magnesium and Sole regularly, I don’t get leg cramps anymore (even during/after extreme exercise or in late pregnancy).
- Bone Health– There is a theory that a potential cause of Osteoporosis and other bone disorders is the body utilizing calcium and other minerals from the bones for survival and to neutralize acidity in the blood. Sole is naturally full of minerals and alkalizing, so there is speculation that it is helpful with bone health as well.
- Healthy Veins– By supporting the correct mineral balance in the body and blood, Sole can help reduce or avoid vein problems like varicose veins.
- Blood Pressure– Contrary to what we often hear, many people notice a reduction in blood pressure from using Sole.
- Weight Loss– By improving digestion and nourishing the body on a cellular level, Sole can help promote weight loss.
- Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails– Sole’s high mineral content makes it great for healthy skin (and acne problems), and for hair and nail growth.
It is interesting to note that the conventional treatment for many of the above problems includes removing excess salt/sodium from the diet. While table salt could certainly have a negative effect and is best avoided, natural salt contains over 84 minerals and is incredibly nourishing for the body.
According to the book Water & Salt: The Essence of Life and this post:
“In a nine-week study undertaken in 2003 at the Inter-University of Graz, Austria examined the effects of Himalayan Crystal Salt on physical and psychological functions of the body. It is the only salt ever to have been the subject of comprehensive double-blind scientific research. The results of the study, presented in the book, Water & Salt – The Essence of Life by Dr. Barbara Hendel, M.D. and biophysicist Peter Ferreira, confirmed significant positive changes in respiratory, circulatory, organ, connective tissue and nervous system functions. Patients also reported increases in quality of sleep, energy and concentration levels, brain activity, weight loss, enhanced consciousness, and noticeable hair and nail growth.”
Even better, Sole is a very inexpensive addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle and it is incredibly easy to make.
Where To Get (Healthy) Salt
As Sole is simply salt and water, the quality of the salt is extremely important. I prefer to use mostly Himalayan salt, with a small amount of Redmond Salt or Celtic Salt added. The following are brands I have used personally and can vouch for, though many local health food stores will carry Himalayan Salt (make sure it is pure… it should be pink).
Sole Recipe
Equipment
- Mason or another glass jar
- Plastic or another non-metal lid
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups Himalayan Salt (or Celtic salt or Real Salt)
- filtered water
Instructions
- Fill the glass jar about ¼ of the way with Himalayan salt, Celtic salt, or Real Salt, or a mixture of the three.
- Add filtered water to fill the jar, leaving about an inch at the top.
- Put on the plastic lid and shake the jar gently.
- Leave on the counter overnight to let the salt dissolve.
- The next day, if there is still some salt on the bottom of the jar, the water has absorbed its maximum amount of salt and the sole is ready to use.
- If all of the salt is absorbed, add more salt and continue doing so each day until some remains on the bottom. This means that the water is fully saturated with salt.
Notes
How to Use Sole
Make the mixture as above and store at room temp. It will last indefinitely as salt is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. More water and salt can be added as needed to keep up the amount in the jar.
To drink, add 1 tsp to a glass of water each morning before eating or drinking anything else. Do not add more, especially starting off! If this causes a detox reaction or headache, work up slowly.
Have you ever made Sole? How did you like it? Share below!
Soap Nuts Shampoo
Katie, this is off the subject, but I no longer receive my weekly meal plans. What happened ?
Thank you.
Elena
Hey Mama, would this be ok to take along side other supplements. I take clay and magnesium also. Just wondering if the effect would be too detoxifying with these altogether ?
Mama, I was wondering this, also. Could I add sole to my Natural Calm? Could I add bentonite to either or both in the same water? Thanks!
Take it alone but you can take the others at different times
It should be ok, but take this first thing in the morning, by itself, before you eat, drink or take anything else…
Cool,thankyou
How long after drinking my glass of sole, do I need to wait before I drink anything else or eat ??
I am interested in finding out too. I do oil pulling and now I am incorporating cinnamon and honey water and I am interested in finding out about the best time frame to do all of these for best absorption .
I was wondering the exact thing! Have you ever received a reply?
Can it be taken with NP Thyroidmeds in the morning?
Sometimes I just take a big lick of Real Salt from the palm of my hand….especially if I know I’m going outdoors to work for a length of time. Is there a reason why sole is better?
Hi, Katie! Thanks for a great article. I am anxious to start using sole and reaping all the benefits. How long after you started using it did you notice health improvements? What specific improvements have you had? Thanks!
More energy and better digestion within the first week and skin improvements at a couple weeks. also slept better pretty soon after starting
Thanks for the reply, Katie. That’s very encouraging and an incentive to get started. Hope I have similar results!
I just ordered my salt, and can’t wait for it to get here. I have three grandchildren living with me, and wondered if it would be okay for them to drink this too. They are 6,8,& 13. Would their dose be the same? Thanks.
My kids get a half dose
Why would this be any better than just taking the salt?
Katie said above that it is more easily absorbed this way 🙂
why no metal? my husband doesn’t buy it 😉
I think its because the salt would corrode the metal
Salt makes water more conductive which is another reason it is good at detoxifying the body. Metal changes this in my understanding.
Even stainless teaspoon? I just now used it by accident, did I ruin? Do I need to make new batch?
Salt is a corrosive element. It can leach particles from the metal utensils into the water and can possibly cause an issue. If you’ve only used it once, I wouldn’t worry about it. It takes time (repeated use or just sitting in it) for the salt to leach particles from a hard substance, such as metal. I would recommend not using it again, though. That’s why a glass or plastic container with a plastic lid is recommended.
My understanding is that the Himalayan salt ionizes the water, and a metal spoon will de-ionize the solution. It’s the ionization of the minerals that maximize absorption of the minerals.
I think maybe because the metal will change the vibration of the water… just a guess! Your husband will probably not buy that one either! lol
It’s because when introducing any metal into the sole, it de-ionizes the mixture, hence you are undoing the benefits.
Do you know if this is ok to take with thyroid hormone replacement treatment?
I am also wondering if this is okay to take with thyroid medication. Mine is to be taken in the morning also on an empty stomach. I take armour thyroid.
Hey Veronica! You mention taking Armour Thyroid… I’ve been searching for that everywhere! Where do you purchase it?
thyroid medication is reduced in effectiveness by minerals, so probably not a great idea. There are studies out there that show that taking thyroid at night is as good or even better than in the morning, however.
Ok to add some lemon to the water in the morning ?
yep
Even if you use one whole lemon’s juice in water first thing in the morning, is it okay to just add your sole to that? Does it reduce either one’s effectiveness?
According to my herbalist, the two taken together is brilliant in the morning, the healing effect of both gets stronger this way.
The combination of sole and lemon juice (or any kind of whole food vitamin c) is fantastic for the adrenals.
How much lemon juice with the Sole? I will start doing this for sure.
So what’s the benefit of letting it sit overnight? I often shake a bit of salt into my drinking water. How is using a small amount of this concentrate better than doing that? I’m curious since I’ve never heard of sole…well, except the fish…lol
I have been getting pink himalayan salt from the bulk section of my health food store. There’s no description other than that, but it’s pink, so I assume it’s got the good minerals. And it just tastes so much better than table salt!
The water actually takes on as much of the salt as it can overnight and it can be more easily absorbed in this form.
I’m confused. If the solution is more easily absorbed after you concentrate it, then why do you dilute it with water right before you consume it?
I don’t understand how there could be a difference between a glass of water with a little bit of sole concentrate stirred in and a glass of water with a little of bit salt stirred in (and dissolved).
I’ve been confused about this too which is how I found this page. Can anyone shine a light on this?
I would think that if you just shake it into a glass you will not get the appropriate amount. And by diluting it, you are able to drink it, since straight would be too strong. I dilute it in a juice glass and take my vitamins each am.
I researched this and found that the sodium concentration is significantly higher when you just mix salt into water. When you create the sole, the water absorbs more minerals along with the sodium so it is balanced. Sole contains approximately 400mg of sodium per teaspoon, while a teaspoon of the salt contains approximately 3000mg of sodium.
In my view the Sole becomes a ‘concentrated’ liquid, much stronger than one would consume by adding a tsp to water! Some people drink it like a shot and then drink a glass of water, especially if they don’t enjoy the taste of a while glass! Also adding lemon to your water can also make the taste more pleasant!
Not all pink salt is Himalayan so be sure it specifies Himalayan on the label. There are many unscrupulous food sellers around, and salt dyed pink is just one of many scams. Also, if you are Banting, many many (even major, well-known) shops now have Banting labels on foods that are totally unsuitable, you need to be very aware of what is in everything and not believe the labels.
I simply measure 1/8 tsp pure Himalaya salt and stir it in a cup juice or soy milk daily.
The sole has a therapeutic electromagnetic effect. Just adding salt to water or food does not created the therapeutic electromagnetic effect.