Salutary, a.
Etymology: [L. salutaris, from salus, -utis, health safety: cf. F. salutaire. See Salubrious.]
1. Wholesome; healthful; promoting health; as, salutary exercise.
2. Promotive of, or contributing to, some beneficial purpose; beneficial; advantageous; as, a salutary design.
Syn. -- Wholesome; healthful; salubrious; beneficial; useful; advantageous; profitable. -- Sal"u*ta*ri*ly, adv. -- Sal"u*ta*ri*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for salutary; he lists it under healthy.
Where he writes about it:
With healthful are ranged the words hygienic, salubrious, salutary, sanitary, and wholesome, while the other words are associated with healthy. — from healthy
Salutary is now chiefly used in the moral sense; as, a salutary lesson. — from healthy