The Truth About Himalayan Crystal Salt Lamps
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Himalayan crystal salt lamps are carved from natural Himalayan salt crystals, which are prized for their purity and clarity. Salt lamps can use either candles or electric bulbs. Regardless of which kind you buy, Himalayan salt lamps, which actually originate in the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan, cast a beautiful, warm glow that is perfect for ambient lighting, a romantic dinner for two, or even to use as a night-light.
There are also many claims of health benefits from Himalayan crystal salt lamps. Salt lamps are said to be ionizers: objects that release negative ions, which are believed to purify air and promote good health.
Natural salt lamps are said to:
- Improve air quality by reducing air pollution, airborne dust particles, and airborne bacteria and viruses
- Reduce symptoms of asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, and other respiratory diseases
- Reduce the effects of Season Affective Disorder (SAD) and other mood problems
- Reduce stress
- Improve concentration
- Relieve headaches and migraines
- Reduce feelings of fatigue and insomnia
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Water and Salt
No Amazon products foundOther Concerns
- Working and living conditions in some salt mines are poor. Look for fair trade salt lamps to ensure fair compensation and good quality of life for miners.
- Cheap salt lamps sometimes contain galvanized screws which can corrode over time thanks to the lamps' tendency to attract humidity
- In areas with high humidity, it may be necessary to put a plate under the lamp to prevent it from pooling salt water over time
Do salt lamps really promote good health?
Many of these claims were popularized in a book called Water and Salt, by Barbara Hendel. But are they true?
Negative ions (also known as anions) are created when an atom gains one or more extra electrons. This is a normal process, and negative ions are common in natural settings. Some studies have shown that artificially increasing exposure to negative ions, with use of an air ionizer or similar product, can improve feelings of general well-being and reduce symptoms of depression and SAD.
However, other studies have been inconclusive, and there is no scientific consensus about the health benefits of negative ions.
Even if the benefits of negative ions are real, however, there is grave doubt whether Himalayan salt crystal lamps can actually emit significant levels of negative ions. The bonds between sodium and chloride ions - the two primary elements in salt crystals - are extremely strong and scientists question whether the energy in a lamp would be sufficient to break the bonds and emit significant levels of ions.
The Bottom Line
Himalayan crystal salt lamps can be a beautiful addition to your home but it's wise to be sceptical of the claims about health benefits. If you like the look of the lamps, buy one; if you are solely interested in the health benefits, it's probably better to look for other ways of improving indoor air quality and liveability, such as houseplants.
If you do experience health benefits from your Himalayan salt lamps, please stop by and let me know! I'm curious to hear your story.
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CommentsLoading...
Hi Kerry. A totally new and different topic of salt lamps and their health benefits. As Elena pointed out, we would probably require huge or numerous salt lamps to emit significant amounts of negative ions so as to exert health benefits. I wonder how they work?
I found these lamps and your Hub interesting. So I did a little investigating...
There have been studies done on neg ions but I couldn't find any for the lamps. What I did find out - in short- is that sufficient neg ions are inversely related to levels of serotonin in the brain AND that a separate study showed that insufficient neg ions result in lack of cognitive performance.
The journal of Applied Psychology mentioned that they have the same effect as natural sunlight and fresh air. So if these lamps contain ion generators than they would be worth a try. Especially for someone who works with little fresh air and sunshine!
This was fun- thanks for the inspiration to investigate.
My brother, a cigar smoker, got one for Christmas and when you walk into his room, it just smells clean and fresh, and i don't notice the cigar. (i am a smoker also, so, i may not notice it as much as another person). But the air just seems so much better in that room. I am going to get one myself.
These lamps are beautiful in a rustic, organic sort of way. Nice hub!
I bought one of these 2 years ago for 5 dollars at a drug store. It was in a beat up box on sale so I gave it a try with low expectations. I was amazed how nice it looked when I lit it. 2 years later I still light it when I feel down and it always makes me feel alot better. I dont know if its the glow, the mediatative effect it has, or the negative ions, but it has been something special for me.
I bought one months ago and never really gave it any thought. I have the lamp in a small spare bedroom. I turned the lamp on and closed the door. About an hour later I went into the room and did notice the air wasn't stuffy like it usually is. The air did seem cleaner.
I'm getting one for my bedroom now. I hope it has the same effect.
I bought six- one huge one, one egg shaped one and four rough ones over 12" high. I have a big home and I gave one away. The person I gave it to claims it made a huge difference in her hallway. The rest I use in my six bedroom home and I can say the beautiful peaceful energy in my home six months later is so wonderful I will not give anymore away- although some have asked.
I am not a scientist, have no idea what they do, except I know the difference in the feel of the energy
I got a lamp for my birthday and I never herd or let alone
seen one but it came with some instruction I put it in my
bedroom and I right away notice the clean air and my room
I sleep alot better at night don't know if it's the lamp but I do
notice a diffrence so I do recommend a salt lamp......
I was at a craft fair and came across the Himalayan salt lamps.
My daughter and I were drawn to them immediately, while the other two people in our party could care less. We felt a sense of calm and peace right away. I purchased a med. lamp and I am using it in my room before I buy more. For the first time in a long while I woke up without a migraine! I will be buying many more lamps for my daughter and our home.
It may be psychosomatic, but as we all know we make our own reality. This works for me, do what feels good and what works for you.
As I type my eyes keep wandering to feel the beauty of the salt lamps in my bedroom.They just make me feel so cheerful and LIGHT.I have them ON night and day.
Beautiful glow for sure!
As I type my eyes keep wandering to feel the beauty of the salt lamps in my bedroom.They just make me feel so cheerful and LIGHT.I have them ON night and day.
Beautiful glow for sure!
Just bought three--one for work, one for Mom's house and one for living room. Even if it's a Hawthorne effect, love the faint odor, color/warmth and impact the soft glow has on me.
Would recommend it to anyone, and several colleagues are following suit. Mom's very happy with hers too.
during the week lead up to exams, i have been full of stress, fatigue, avoidance, foul mood lack of concentration, after procrastinating about study all day, I turned my lamp on at 8pm, sat down with my anatomy and physiology book and an hour and a half later am destressed, was able to concentrate for more than 20 mins, and my mood has been totally uplifted. when it comes to these lamps i am sold! now off to soak in a bath with some Himalayan bath salts!!
The next best thing to sleeping under a stary sky .. would not like to be without it .. i brush my teeth with it by rubbing toothbrush on the stone and lick it when i feel like salt or sterilize my mouth. The only concern i have is are the people extracting it treated fairly and ethically ?
Bought an Extra Large Lamp, and will be putting a nice 40watt Blue Bulb in it to make it even more pleasing for the eyes. The Rock Salt Lamp itself is around 30-35 pounds. Had trouble carrying it through the door. This is the 3rd Ive boughten over the years. They do have there air purifying qualities. I'm not too sure about the whole Negative Ion effect. I'm a strong believer of Science and Mathematics. I know it keeps the mold and bacteria from becoming air born since I suffer from allergies, and can honestly say, since I have had these in my home I can finally breath through my nose. There a god. I highly recommend em :-).
Henry for the best benifits from the lamp i suggest u use a 15 watt or less lamp it will give it that peacefull glow
These lamps look absolutely gorgeous. I'm really considering getting one for myself. Although a lot of the comments do attest to the "cleaner air"-esque nature of the product, even if there was no truly miraculous health benefit, they are still beautiful to look at and would definitely give a calming, ambient feel to whichever room you put one in. Don't know if I'd be too fond of a huge one, but a small one on a desk or living room entertainment center would fit right into almost any theme, I think. Great hub!
i never heard of it and i stumbled across it last friday at this vendor for the rodeo in houston and i noticed a difference immediatly!!! it def. works. i havent turned it off since and i wont. i love this lamp and i will purchase more even as gifts for family and friends. im telling everyone about them.
I own 3 and I must say I swear my mine. I have never been an allergy sufferer until I moved to a big, congested city with a lot of pollution about 4 years ago. In the first year I didn't notice it much. Second year I started to develop basic allergy symptoms. Third year I had full blown allergies. Watery eyes, non-stop sneezing, etc. For about a week, I sat at a co-workers desk who had one. Noticed I could breathe in about 3 days and no sneezing by the 5th. She said it was her salt lamp so I immediately bought my first. I've had it running 8 hours a day/5 days a week for almost a full year now. I also bought another one that runs 24/7 by my bed. I don't know if they work as explained but I've not had allergies for an entire year. It seems to even be helping with a skin irritation problem I have. When pollen/mold/bad air is at its worst, I have a few random sneezes in which I take an over the counter pill for just in case. I've only taken 2 pills over the last 30 days (no rains yet to wash away the spring pollens).
The peace of mind (placebo effect or not) I get from it is worth every penny I've spent (paid $25 for each). I suggest people give it a try. I've met a lot of people who have tried them and claim they've worked for them. It might work for you, it might not. But if it does... the peace of mind you get is worth it.
Some people say they're good for wifi connection.
I live in Beijing and I saw some of these lamps at a local market but as I walked near them, my eyes got irritated and started burning. Wonder why?
Yesterday I found water under my salt lamp I did not understand when it came from until I realized that one of my friends had negative attitude and was visited me the same day.
elaine,
The water comes from the lamp! I bet you have had it switched off for a small period of time. These lamps actually do work as air cleaners. They pull the positive ions through and then send them out as negative ions. As all air contains water when the lamps clean the air it takes the moisture out of the air as well. That is why these where made as lamps, the globes actually dry the moisture out of the air as it passes through, for optimal heat use a 15 watt globe and the lamp should be warm to touch. I have sold alot of these lamps and sufferers of asthma swear by them because they keep the air free from pollutants.
I received one as a gift and was told to just leave it on in a room. Since it was more of a reddish orange color the light wasnt too bright and was pleasing to look at. I had shut my bedroom door as there were kids playing around and didnt want them in my room. Later on that evening I went into my room and noticed that the air was different. It seemed like there was a freshness in the air. I also want to point out is my bedroom is located in a basment and air doesnt circulate too well unless a fan is on. Still a little skeptic about the lamp, but the freshness in the air makes me think that there is more to this lamp than I originally thought. The freshness in the air was unmistakable. It did not seem like I was walking in my own room. To me it was noticable like night and day. I have only had it a few days and also noticed I have been sleeping better. I will keep it for now. It does make a nice decoration piece plus it was a gift to me.
1. No such thing as "Fair Trade" salt lamps. They do not fall under the auspices of that organization.
2. Salt lamps DO NOT generate negative ions. Negative ions are generated through evaporation of water molecules attracted to its surface via hygroscopic properties.
3. The scientific consensus is very clear that negative ions benefit human health, as well as the health of plants and animals. Search for the work of Dr. Albert Kruger and others. There is no debate on this except by the uninformed.
4. It is provable by valid scientific and medical evidence that salt lamps are beneficial to human health. The level of benefit varies with the individual and existing surroundings - much like any other homeopathic remedy or device.
I'm happy to answer any and all questions, and dispel the myths created by the book "Water and Salt" and by lazy salt lamp vendors. We can be reached at http://www.ionicsalts.com
Thanks for reading!
Elena. Level 1 Commenter 3 years ago
Hi Kerry! I enjoyed this hub very much!
I find these lamps pretty, that's for sure, but I'm rather sckeptical regarding the health benefits. As you say, negative ions may have positive effects, but I think the lamp would need to be the size of an armchair to actually emit noticeable amounts. Oh well, who knows. Sometimes all it takes is for one to believe something is good for it too feel good :-)