The elephants come to the clearing in their dozens to swallow mineral salts essential to their diet.

As regards a natural alternative, crystal deodorants are particularly effective, as the natural mineral salts in the crystal eliminate the production of odour- causing bacteria.

Doing so can exacerbate underlying damp or draw up mineral salts.

Plants need to absorb mineral salts from the soil or other sources, but these salts exist in very dilute solution.

These are rhizomatous perennials with fleshy foliage that helps them conserve water in environments high in mineral salts.