How to find "salt" in the wild?
The primary symptoms of salt deficiency are muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, and easy fatigue. To replenish salt, you can dissolve a small pinch of salt in a pint of water and drink it. Salt tablets should be crushed and dissolved in an appropriate amount of water. Do not swallow them whole—this can cause stomach discomfort and damage the kidneys.
What if there is no salt? When you are near the coast or at sea, you can obtain sufficient salt from seawater—a pint of seawater contains about 15 milligrams of salt. But never drink seawater directly; it must first be well diluted with fresh water. Salt crystals can be obtained by evaporating seawater.
If you are inland, you must solve the salt problem. In pastoral areas, you can find salt-lick spots where cattle have licked—however, by then you’re likely close to civilization and probably won’t remain salt-deficient. All mammals need salt, so observing their movements can help you find salt.
Some plants also contain salt. In North America, the best source is the roots of walnut trees; in Southeast Asia, you can use the roots of the nipa palm. Roast the roots until all the moisture has evaporated, and black salt crystals will form.
If finding salt directly is difficult, try indirect methods. Animal blood should never be discarded casually, as it is a useful source of mineral elements.
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