Salt is closely connected to the kidneys. The salty flavour is yin and cooling and moves energy down and in.

It has a grounding effect and moistens dryness, softens hardness, enhances digestion, eases constipation and abdominal swelling, increases appetite, is calming and improves concentration.
Oedema or swelling in the body is usually caused by excessive dampness. However the salty flavour makes oedema worse whereas the bitter flavour can improve the problem and is more suitable for people with damp and also builds the kidneys.
The best salty foods for people with damp are seaweeds. It is important not to stress the kidneys with too much salt in winter because little salt is lost through sweating when the weather is cold.
Salty food include crab, oysters, mussels, sardines, pork, miso, soy sauce, seaweeds or anything with salt added.