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Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits: 
Do Salt Lamps Really Work?

I recently saw these lamps at the place where I regularly go for Acupuncture and Massage.  They are becoming increasingly popular in homes and in the workplace.  The practitioner said he felt it really made a difference in the energy and the vibe of the room.  Here’s a little information about what a Himalayan salt lamp is and how it works, etc. and whether you feel you would like to purchase one.  I did and have been enjoying it for a few weeks now:)

What is a Salt Lamp?

Real Himalayan lamps are hand chiseled solid blocks of ancient crystal salts which are known as nature’s air purifier.  They have a beautiful pinkish orange color, due to the high concentration of trace minerals contained within the salt.  Inside the hollowed out middle of the salt rock lamp is a light bulb to generate both light and heat. This is important for their reported benefits and salt lamps won’t work properly without a heat-producing light.  Himalayan salt lamps also come in decorative baskets of crystal salt blocks with a light and heat source underneath that creates a soft pink glow.

How do Himalayan Salt Lamps Work?

Water vapor is always circulating in the air of any room of your home. This water vapor carries along with it allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke particles and even bacteria and viruses. Salt attracts water molecules from the surrounding air. A large block of rock salt, like a Himalayan crystal salt lamp, is especially attractive to water vapor and its attached pollutants.

Once attracted to the salt lamp, these microscopic compounds remain on the salt and not floating in the air where you could breathe them in. As Himalayan salt lamps slowly become saturated with the water vapor they attract from the air around them, the heat from the lamp inside dries them.  This heat also re-releases water vapor back into the air.  Importantly, any airborne contaminants attracted to the salt lamp remain trapped there and will not become airborne again.  Every few weeks, it’s good to turn off your salt lamp for an hour, let it cool and then gently rub it with a damp cloth to clean away trapped dust and particles. The rest of the time just leave it on and let it work to clean the air in your home.

Do Salt Lamps Really Work to Generate Negative Ions?

Can rock salt lamps produce beneficial negative ions? This is the biggest question most people usually have when buying Himalayan salt lamps for health benefits. The answer is yes, but not a great deal of them. Salt lamp benefits do include negative ion generation. It appears primarily from the moisture evaporating on the heated rock salt.  Some point to the cumulative effect of keeping the salt lamp on at all times and how this can slowly generate more and more negative ions and improve the air quality over time. One reported test showed significantly more negative ions after a few days of having the salt lamp on in the room tested versus without it. 

This may well be the case, and salt lamps are certainly a beautiful addition to any room. Practically though, their negative ion producing range is quite limited. Don’t expect a small Himalayan crystal salt lamp to flood a large room with negative ions.

Where to Place Crystal Salt Lamps for the Most Health Benefits

The best place for a Himalayan salt lamps is quite close to where you spend a lot of time so you can breathe in the fresher air it generates directly.  Placed by a coffee table next to the seat where you watch TV is a great place, as is your work desk at home, or even at the office if you feel like you can have a salt lamp there.  Not only will it help clean the air and expose you to at least some negative ions, it may also help counteract electromagnetic radiation and provides a gentle, soothing pink glow.  Most people who own Himalayan crystal lamps report that they find them very relaxing to be near. A high percentage also attribute positive health benefits to them. Commonly reported health benefits of Himalayan salt lamps include:

Improving breathing problems, reducing allergies, asthma & COPD
Less colds and flu (due to less airborne viruses)
Increased relaxation and calmness and less stress
Improved ability to concentrate around electrical equipment like computers
Fewer headaches and migraines
Reduced symptoms form disorders like rheumatism and arthritis
An improvement in skin diseases
Easier to get to sleep at night
A better overall sense of health and well-being

I got mine in Home Depot – they are also available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Goods and online at Amazon.  Another experience would be to try Salt Rooms or Caves located on Long Island.  Enjoy!