If you’ve never owned a Himalayan Salt Lamp, you may want to consider buying one. Its soft glow, and warm feeling it gives off is enough to invest in one. But what if these lamps did more than just make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Before I get into the benefits though, we need to talk more about the lamp itself.
What Are Himalayan Salt Lamps?
Himalayan salt lamps are decorative lamps made from large salt crystals mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. These lamps are typically carved into various shapes, such as spheres, pyramids, or chunks, and then hollowed out to house a light bulb or candle.
The unique pinkish-orange hue of Himalayan salt lamps comes from the minerals found in the salt crystals, primarily iron oxide. Proponents of Himalayan salt lamps claim that when the lamp is lit, it releases negative ions into the air, which can purportedly purify the surrounding air by neutralizing positive ions. Positive ions are believed to be generated by electronic devices and pollution and are associated with various health issues, such as allergies, stress, and fatigue.
To add on top of this, salt absorbs moisture from the air, meaning it is “hygroscopic.” This means that it absorbs other particles from the air, like dirt, bacteria, pollen, and pollution, (which are carried in water vapor), and locks them into its salty matrix. Once this little feat has been accomplished, the lamp then re-releases clean water, cleansing the air. So when the salt lamp is heated (after being saturated from water in the air), it dries out, then the cycle is repeated.
Advocates of Himalayan salt lamps suggest that the release of negative ions can improve air quality, reduce allergens, and even have mood-enhancing and immune-boosting effects.
10 Himalayan Salt Lamp Health Benefits
Here are 10 ways using a Himalayan salt lamp can improve your health:
1. Cleanse and Deodorize The Air
As described above, negative ions help to remove dust, pollen, dander, bacteria, and cigarette smoke from the air. By trapping water molecules, salt lamps also trap the contaminants contained within said water molecules. As the Himalayan salt lamp heats up from the light inside, the water that carried foreign particles is released back into the air, leaving the contaminants behind, locked in the salt matrix.
2. Reduce Allergy and Asthma Symptoms
This study found that breathing in air that has been negatively ionized is actually improve bronchial response. In fact, Himalayan pink salt inhalers even exist, which give merit to this claim. Himalayan salt lamps can also pick up and store from the air mold, dust, mildew, dander, and pollen, all of which aggravate allergies and asthmatic symptoms.
3. Prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder
One of the most prized benefits of himalayan salt lamps is their ability to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression that occurs during the winter months. Many studies (like this one) have found that negative ions help relieve symptoms of SAD – something that thunderstorms, oceans, bodies of running water, the sun, and mountain breezes readily provide the air with. The natural warm glow of salt lamps is also close to that of the sun, which can help relieve symptoms of SAD in itself!
4. Neutralize Electromagnetic Radiation
We are surrounded by electromagnetic radiation – whether it be from our phones, our computers, the television, tablets, and other appliances. We can never seem to escape these waves. These waves are generated by positive ions, so balancing them out with negative ions from salt lamps is beneficial to the body. They might not completely eliminate all the waves we are bombarded by, but they definitely help reduce them.
5. Reduce Cough and Improve Breathing
This study found that positive air ions reduce cilia activity in the trachea, while negative ions help increase it. Why does this matter? Cilia are microscopic hairs that line our wind pipe (trachea). Taking in more negative ions help improve cilia activity, keeping your lungs clean by way of cleaner air. This reduces chronic coughing, as well as improves breathing.
6. Increase Energy Levels
Similarly to a forest that emits negative ions, and the subsequent relief and invigoration we may feel from spending time in nature, salt lamps do the same. Maybe not to the same extent that a forest can (nothing can replace the energy of a forest!), but for city folk who can’t get out that often, salt lamps can help improve energy as well as your overall mood.
7. Reduce Stress and Increase Performance
This study found that negative ions help in recovery from stress, and also improve task performance. Negative ions help improve blood and oxygen supply to the brain, and also provide a boost of serotonin (the “happy” chemical).
8. Help You Sleep Better
Over-exposure to positive ions from technology robs you of decent sleep quality. Electromagnetic radiation affects us, even when we sleep. By generating negative ions, himalayan salt lamps help to reverse this problem, improving air quality and reducing the effect of positive ions. PLUS, using a salt lamp as your light source instead of regular bright lights before bedtime will naturally help you fall asleep better.
9. Reduce Static Electricity
Although this isn’t really a health benefit, it sure can be a hassle for some! By neutralizing positive ions in the air, a salt lamp saves you the trouble of zapping yourself, your pet, or your loved ones (all three of which I have done).
10. Strengthened Immune System
Humans are made of tiny vibrating particles – in a sense, we’re all just really condensed energy balls. Negative ions help neutralize free radicals, revitalize cell metabolism, and enhance immune function. So, if you want to strengthen your immune system, try incorporating salt lamps in your home. It wouldn’t hurt! Plus, they feel good to have around and look beautiful, to boot.
The ambiance and relaxing properties of salt lamps also help reduce stress in the body, which in turn reduces cortisol and strengthens immunity.
Where To Buy Himalayan Salt Lamps
You can find salt lamps anywhere – I bought some from a local rock shop where I live, but you do need to be careful about sourcing.
Fake Himalayan salt lamps are those that are marketed as being made from genuine Himalayan salt but are actually constructed using other materials or mixed with cheaper salt sources. I wrote a whole article on that here. And if you’re looking to purchase a Fair Trade salt lamp, this company sells them.
If you’re looking for a genuine salt lamp, these are some good options:
The BODY Source Genuine Himalayan Salt Lamp
The Body Source rock salt lamp is expertly hand-carved from authentic Himalayan salt blocks found and sourced only from Pakistan. Every lamp has a unique and distinctive shape. The small is approximately 8-10″ tall and 7-11 Ib in weight; the medium 6-8″ tall and 4-7 Ib in weight; the large 10-12″ tall and 11-15 Ib in weight. Fully adjustable brightness.
Price at time of publish: $30 small; $35 medium; $45 large
D’aplomb Rectangle Himalayan Salt Lamp
This Authentic Salt Lamp is made from 250 million-year-old salt from the Himalayan Mountains (the only source of true Himalayan Salt). Each piece is unique with slight shape, size, and color, variations. Approximate size: 7.5 in. x 3.5 in. x 5.75 in. Weight: approx. 11.5 lbs. Comes with a crafted wood base and dimmer switch.
Price at time of publish: $56
Artnaturals Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp
This Himalayan salt lamp is carved from a block of the purest Himalayan pink salt. Excavated from Pakistan’s Khewra mine located in the heart of the Himalayas. Loaded with powerful minerals and free from toxins, this Himalayan salt lamp is safe to use in the nursery and with kids. Comes with a dimmer switch and is nestled on a wood base.
Price at time of publish: $24.95
Other Sources:
http://www.criticalcactus.com/himalayan-pink-salt-lamp-health-benefits/
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/himalayan-pink-salt-lamp-benefits/
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