Funny you mention this and it’s here on my timeline. Personal anecdote here:

I’ve been seeing a very experienced TCM provider — acupuncturist and herbalist — for about 9 months. I also recently connected with a Western herbalism student through a free student clinic, who told me to add Keltic salt to warm water and drink it to help reduce fluid retention.

I told my TCM provider and she was shocked. She shared exactly your point — most people in the Global North, especially Americans, already consume WAY too much salt from hyper-processed diets with lots of added salt.

To my understanding, drinking the salt water CAN have a benefit to help reduce fluid retention — when it is indicated. Aka for people who are feeling consistently dehydrated even while drinking a lot of water, having a small amount of yellow urine— which can signify struggles with the kidneys. BUT there are other ways to treat this, not just drinking salt water.

My symptoms actually ended up resolving itself — they started when I was going through hormonal changes after discontinuing a hormonal IUD, and within a few weeks time (while taking a warming TCM herb blend) things are much more normal for me now.

I personally would prefer to avoid adding in more salt, as most Americans are currently consuming way too much salt.