Beauty in a Salt Shaker

Sodium chloride, your average table salt, is commonly used as a flavor enhancer. But too much salt has been known to cause an increase in blood pressure and kidney problems, so it's not a good thing to have a lot of.

But did you know that salt has other uses besides giving you the urge to lick your fingers after scraping the bottom of a bag of chips?

Salt is said to have anti-bacterial properties and is believed to be able to draw out the bodies' impurities. This is probably explains why some folks often prescribe a trip to the beach to cure a fever.

With that in mind, here are some salt-y recipes that will leave you pampered and relaxed.

You can recreate a luxurious swim in the ocean with a detoxifying bath. Just toss half a cup of sea salt in your bathtub as you are filling it with warm water. A ten minute soak in this seawater-like solution will draw out your body's impurities.

You will need 3 tablespoons of sea salt,3 tablespoons of baking soda and 8 drops of essential oils in the combination of your choice. You can choose up to 3-4 kinds of essential oils, from bergamot, lavender, palmarosa, rose, frankincense, geranium or rosewood. Place all ingredients in a jar and shake to mix well. Add the bath salts to a tub of warm water. Bathe, relax and enjoy!!

Using salt to exfoliate your skin is a natural, gentle (depending on the degree of pressure) and affordable way to make your skin glow by mixing 2 parts salt with 1 part olive or virgin coconut oil.

Wet your skin with water before you bathe. Apply the salt-oil paste onto your body and give yourself a total body massage and focus on rough spots such as elbows and knees. Avoid irritated or sensitive areas such as your face.

Made of strawberries, this yummy scrub can remove the dead skin cells of your hands and feet. This fruit contains polypehenols and is rich in vitamin C, both potent antidioxants which can help whiten your skin and improve your complexion. It also contains a natural fruit acid that aids in exfoliation.

Mix together 8-10 strawberries,2 teaspoons of either olive or extra virgin cocnut oil and a teaspoon of sea salt. Massage this paste on hands and feet. Rinse and pat dry.

As you can see, salt is more than just a condiment. Yes, its still pretty to have a matching set of salt and pepper shakers on the dining table,but in the near future,it wouldn't be too far fetched to have bath tubs that come with their own salt shakers!!! ENJOY!!!!!