How to Make Your Own Topical Saline Solution

Many people try to avoid excess salt in the diet for the sake of their health. Yet topical solutions made from a related sodium compound can be tremendously soothing and healing to the skin. Dr. Barbara Hendel, physician and author of "Water & Salt," recommends applications of spring water saturated with Himalayan crystal salt to treat nasal congestion, skin diseases, injuries, insect bites and soft tissue pain. She also claims that saline solutions help regulate the storage of fatty tissue and balance the acidity of the skin.

Things You'll Need

• Himalayan crystal salt stones
• Spring water
• Glass jar with lid
• Gauze or cotton cloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Place several salt stones in a small, lidded jar, filling it one-fourth full. Preferably, choose a jar made of glass such as a Ball jar. You can also use a plastic container, but not metal. Select Himalayan crystal salt or unrefined sea salt to make the solution, but do not use common table salt (sodium chloride). The refining process removes most of the therapeutic trace minerals, rendering it ineffective for topical applications.

• 2

  Cover the stones with pure water that has been heated above room temperature but remains below the boiling point. Avoid using tap water, which may contain impurities.

• 3

  Let the salt and water mixture stand for one full day, and check it. If all the salt has dissolved, add more stones. The saline solution is ready for use when salt crystals remain at the bottom of the jar after 24 hours. The presence of crystals indicates the water is thoroughly saturated with salt. The mixture is slightly more than one fourth salt. Hendel refers to it as a 26 percent solution and calls it sole (pronounced "so-LAY"), which means liquid light energy.

• 4

  Cover the jar to prevent evaporation of the solution. The salt is a natural preservative and an anti-bacterial agent. Therefore, it does not have to be refrigerated and it cannot spoil.

• 5

  Use the 26 percent strength of saline solution for treating cold sores, insect bites, sprains, bruises and swollen feet or ankles. Moisten guaze or a cotton cloth with the saline solution and wrap it around the affected area. Alternately, dip articles of clothing such as socks or shirts into the solution and slip them on corresponding parts of the body. Leave on for up to one hour.