As many are, I was skeptical when I first heard about the salt water flush. However, after I opened my mind and educated myself on what exactly a salt water cleanse could do for me, I was more than willing to give it a try. And I’m so glad that I did.
The salt water flush truly is one of the healthiest and most effective ways to rid our bodies of unhealthy bacteria and unwanted toxins. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, get clearer skin or release fluid build-up, it all starts with a salt water cleanse. However, these aren’t the only benefits of a salt water flush; if you want to know all of the amazing ways your body will thank you, take a look at our last article.
Understanding the risks and benefits are super important before you even think about trying the salt water cleanse. I’ve said before that it’s an extreme procedure and not for the weak-stomached; if poop or vomit makes you feel sick, this might not be for you. However, the extra energy, lightness of body and knowledge that you make a healthy choice for yourself far outweighs any of the nasty side effects. If you’ve decided that the salt water cleanse is for you, it’s time you learned how to actually do it. The salt water cleanse may seem straightforward, but if you’re unfamiliar with the method and the recipe, you won’t get the results you’re looking for.
Salt water flush: Recipe
Getting the salt water flush recipe right is very important. Too much or too little salt, the wrong kind of salt and the incorrect amount of water are all things that can impact your results. Here is the salt water flush recipe [1] that you should follow:
- 2 teaspoons of unrefined, non-iodized salt
- 1 liter of warm pure water
- A few drops of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to taste (optional)
The recipe may seem fairly simple, but the specifics are very important. Filtered or distilled water is the only kind that should be used to ensure that there are no other unnecessary minerals involved in the salt water flush. Many people who want to try the salt water cleanse for the first time ask if they can use just any type of salt. The answer is a loud, resounding NO.
The Importance of using Natural Salt
The salt water flush is not a new trend. It’s been in the mainstream diet and detox circles for decades and has been used by other cultures for centuries. The benefits of salt have been known by health professionals for quite some time. However, today there is a dangerous misconception that salt should be avoided in our diets because it can lead to high blood pressure, as well as a myriad of other health issues. These are largely myths.
Recent studies have proven that when individuals decrease their salt intake, their risk for heart attacks and strokes remains the same. [2] The real danger to our health isn’t sodium, but is actually table salt. Table salt is dangerous because it is chemical-laden, highly processed, and stripped of its natural and beneficial minerals. [3] Sea salt, on the other hand, is part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Sea salt is incredibly important to include in our diets because it provides us with necessary minerals and is crucial for several biological processes. Here are just a few reasons why you should love natural, unrefined and non-iodized sea salt [4]:
- Carries nutrients in and out of your cells
- Keeps your sodium-potassium balance in check so your brain and muscles can communicate with each other
- Regulates hormones by helping your adrenal gland function
- Is necessary for your brain to fire neurons
- Is a major element of your blood plasma and amniotic fluid
Rock salt is another type of unrefined, naturally-occuring salt that should be included in our diets and is an option for the salt water flush. The main difference between table salt and sea or rock salt is how it’s made. While table salt is chemically processed, sea salt is harvested from solar evaporation ponds and rock salt from rock deposits. Instead of being heated to over a thousand degrees fahrenheit, like table salt is, sea and rock salts are allowed to dry naturally, which is why they retain natural minerals and can provide several health benefits. [5]
When you mix sea salt in water, as you do with a salt water cleanse, it has its own list of unique healing properties. Sea salt water can help both externally and internally. Swimming in the ocean or bathing in salt water can improve skin elasticity, alleviate symptoms from several skin conditions and reduce joint and muscle inflammation. This is good news to all the ladies (myself included!) who love to have a good long soak in the tub with some bath salts! But drinking salt water can help you, as well. When drank, sea salt water can provide more energy, decrease appetite, reduce muscle cramps and much more. [6] Salt water can also aid in the healing of external wounds, mouth sores and sore throats.
If the difference between table salt and naturally-occurring salt is a new concept to you, then you’ll be equally shocked to know that there are different types of sea and rock salts. Some of my personal favorites are:
- Himalayan pink salt: A rock salt that is said to be the healthiest and purest type of salt in the world
- Fleur de sel: A thin type of sea salt [7]
- Sel gris: A course sea salt that’s grey in color and is found at the bottom of the salt pan when harvested [8]
- Black lava sea salt: A smokey-flavored sea salt harvested in Hawaii that gets its flavor and dark color from the charcoal in the lava pits [9]
These are some of my personal favorite natural salts, but this list is by no means exhaustive. When it comes to the salt water cleanse, whether you use himalayan pink salt of fleur de sel is largely irrelevant; all that matters is that you use an unrefined, non-iodized rock or sea salt.
Salt water flush: Method
Now that you’re certain about the sea salt flush recipe, it’s important that you fully understand the method. If you don’t drink the salt water fast enough (and aren’t prepared for the results!) then you may end up disliking your salt water cleanse experience.
After you have thoroughly mixed your unrefined, non-iodized salt and warm pure water solution, you should drink it as quickly as possible. It’s crucial that you do the salt water cleanse on an empty stomach and first thing in the morning. An empty stomach ensures that there’s no food that could absorb the salt water instead of letting it flush your system. As for the morning rule…you’ll understand why that’s important in a minute.
After you drink the entire solution, lie down on your right side for about half an hour; this can help the salt water flush work quicker because it will draw the water towards the right side of the stomach, near the small intestine. After 30 minutes, you can walk around, but be sure to stay close to a bathroom. [10]
Most people notice that the salt water cleanse recipe is working after an hour. You might hear some gurgling noises coming from your stomach before you have the strong urge to use the toilet. This happens because, as soon as the salt water solution is in your small intestine, it very powerfully makes its way through the digestive tract to your colon, where waste exits. In other words, you should do the salt water flush in the morning because you will need to poop…urgently and multiple times.
Because the salt water flush truly flushes everything out of your digestive tract and colon, you’ll likely need to use the toilet several times during the day. If you feel the urge to vomit, that’s also a normal side effect of the flush. To learn more about the potential salt water flush dangers, check out this article.
After you’ve finished eliminating all of the salt water and toxins from your system, you’ll feel more refreshed than ever! At least I did.
The salt water flush didn’t work
Unfortunately, I hear stories all the time of people who were so excited to try the salt water flush and were disappointed by their results. However, this only happens when the recipe and method aren’t followed exactly. Some common mistakes include: doing the flush on a full stomach, using too much salt, using too little salt, using iodized table salt, and only drinking part of the salt water solution. [11] If you make the sea salt solution correctly and follow the method instructions, you won’t have to worry about a salt water cleanse fail.
At the end of the day, the salt water cleanse, while potentially messy, is very easy to do. All it takes is some careful reading and thorough preparation for you to experience the benefits of an effective colon cleanse. Have you tried a salt water flush before? Let me know how it worked for you.
Please check out these articles related to salt water flush:
Salt Water Flush: The Basics and Guide to the Ultimate Colon Cleanse
Salt Water Flush: The Master Cleanse Method
Salt Water Flush: Benefits of Colon Cleanse
Super Easy + Effective Himalayan Salt Water Flush for Your Colon!