Salt is often mentioned throughout history. It was used in trades, served as currency and has been the cause of wars. Salt also played a vital role in religion. Religious rituals often use salt as a symbol of purity. Religious literature often mentions salt; a great example of this would be the Bible.

Salt production has always played an important role economically. It has paved the way for the development of cities and the construction of roads. Slaves were traded in Greece for salt, thus the use of the phrase "not worth his salt" emerged. Roman soldiers were paid in sacks of salts which the term "salary" first originated. Being an important source of income for nations, the Roman Republic often raised the price of salt to raise money for wars.

But aside from this, salt is also linked in the history of medicine. The use of salt and the sea has always been linked with health and therapy. Apart from being essential for the body's proper functioning, it is also as important in the world of medicine for many years. Published in China, around 2,700 B.C. was the PEN-TZAO-KAN-MU, one of the earliest pharmacological writing, where a major part of it focused on more than 40 different kinds of salts, including its application and methods of extraction.

Hippocrates, being the first one to detail the use of sea water to cure several ailments, urged his fellow healers to do so. They used it to cure aching muscles and arthritis by immersing their patients in sea water. The use of sea water also brought along the use of sea salt. Salt is often mixed with other ingredients to cure internal and topical ailments including skin diseases and freckles. During this time, salt is used in treating digestive, respiratory and skin problems.

Similar to Hippocrates, Roman doctor Dioskurides also recommended the use of salt and ocean water.  The book Materia Medica, which is one of the most influential herbal books in history, was made by Dioskurides. He cited several uses of salt, including creating a salty vinegar solution to aid callosities and animal bites. It is also used to control bleeding after surgery and to get rid of scab. Salt was also used as a laxative when added to wine.

Europe also had a fare share of the establishment of the use of salt in medicine. In 1753, "The Use of Sea Water" was published by English author and physician Charles Russel. It discussed sea waters' therapeutic properties. This was passed on from person to person, and as soon as people heard of sea waters' curative properties, coasts were flocked.

Recently, doctors and scientists have gained interests in the benefits of sea water and its ability to cure ailments. Being an important ingredient for remedies, it has gained interests for its healing powers with the rise of spa therapy. Studies and scientific investigation were done to detail its effects.

Modern spas and resorts, and various bathing and sea therapies are now popular for reduce tension and stress. Japanese ritual bathing culture involved whole towns existing as destination resorts around Japan's vast natural hot springs.

Nowadays, salt is used in the form of inhalations, drinking therapies, and salt-water baths among others. Scientific studies also confirms the effectiveness of salt's antiseptic properties. This property of salt makes it help remove plaque that causes gingivitis. Salt is also gaining popularity in the treatment of common skin problems and diseases. An example of this would be the Dead Sea's popularity from tourists for its curative properties. This resulted in the use of Dead Sea Salts which are added in baths to mimic the effects of bathing in the Dead Sea. Salt reduces inflammation and helps rejuvenate the skin. Aside from this, salt is often used as ingredients and are added to body care products including cosmetics, lotions, ointments, etc.