Himalayan Salt Lamps: Benefits And Uses

What is a salt lamp?

Salt lamps are usually created from blocks of pure pink salt crystals which are carved out in the centre so that a light can be placed within them.

Once illuminated, the stunning craggy structure becomes even more beguiling as its depth and mystery are revealed.

A Himalayan rock salt lamp embodies the connection between the radiance of the heavens and Gaia, the mother of the Earth, and many claim it carries a number of health benefits.

All of the colours of Himalayan Mineral Crystal Salt contain minerals that can be beneficial to wellbeing.

The darker the red and orange colours, the more of the iron mineral is present within the crystal.

When the bulb inside the lamp heats the salt crystals, the Himalayan Salt releases negative ions – counteracting positive ‘pollutant’ ions in the air and this occurs regardless of what colour the lamp is.

However, most people find that the darker the colours of the crystals within the salt lamp have a more calming effect, especially in bedrooms.

Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow is a devotee of salt lamps and describes them as a 'light source-meets-wellness treatment'.

But you don’t have to be as rich as a Hollywood star to explore their many attributes.

As you can discover from our website, your Himalayan salt lamp journey can be amazingly affordable.

From the moment you switch on your salt lamp, you’ll begin to experience a soft nurturing glow. There are many positive advantages attributed to the Himalayan rock salt lamp that may also begin to transform you and your environment.

As an alternative therapy, they are said to produce positive effects both mentally and physically, increasing energy levels and improving your sleep.

These may not have been clinically proven, but anecdotally people have discovered that they at the least provide a soothing presence.

What do salt lamps do?

The Himalayan salt lamp is used by many in the home to release negatively charged ions into the air.

These particles are believed to lead to an improved quality of health in various ways.

For example, it is possible they can increase blood flow, boost a person’s mood, ramp up energy levels and provide relief from the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Another way they can be of immense benefit is to filter the air in your home, trapping airborne pollutants on their salt surface.

The theory is that by doing this, the Himalayan salt lamp may improve breathing and sleep as well as provide relief to those who suffer from conditions such as asthma.

Let’s not forget too that salt lamps are a wonderful way to illuminate the home.

The light which emanates from the Himalayan salt lamp is soft, warm, and inviting, which is why it is often used at night and in the bedroom to induce feelings of restfulness.

What are salt lamps good for?

Sometimes, when you are looking at nature or a thing of beauty, do you feel a huge surge of happiness within? That is the sensation you might just get from a Himalayan salt lamp. This is because they release negative ions in the air. Now, you may have thought we needed positive ions to make us feel happy but that is not the case. In fact, it is negative ions which bring feelings of wellbeing and even euphoria. That means if you can increase the number of negative ions in your home or place of work, the better you might feel.

Negative ions are found everywhere in nature especially by the majestic swell of the ocean, or by the natural vitality of a cascading waterfall. This is why, when we find ourselves in these places, we feel so much more energised and happy. A similar effect is created when the salt crystals of your lamp are gently warmed by the bulb within and they begin to release these negative ions into the atmosphere.

2. Create better mental health

Air ionisation and feelings of wellbeing have been found to be linked in some way, which is why when we are in the presence of a salt lamp we can feel less depressed and anxious. This is because the ions released from the lamp can increase the levels of chemicals like serotonin and tryptophan in the body. It must be stressed that none of this has been proved medically.

3. You may sleep better

The subtle glow of a Himalayan salt lamp may be enough in itself to soothe away the day’s cares and help you decompress before you slip easily into a deep and calming slumber.

4. May increase your energy levels

After all, if you feel better in yourself and your sleep has improved then of course, you’ll have a lot more energy and feel more positive towards life.

5. Air is clearer

The reasoning behind this is that because the vapour carrying air pollutants are attracted to the lamp they’ll attach themselves to the surface thus ‘purifying’ your surroundings and blitzing all those nasties which cause allergies.

6. Clear your airways

Another claim for the Himalayan rock salt lamp is the ability to help you breathe more easily. Asthma sufferers, for example, may find their ability to draw away toxins in the air a way to help their condition. It’s also believed that the tiny salt particles emanating from the lamp can help clear mucus. Of course others may take claims like this with a pinch of salt!

7. Ideal for meditation

The warm relaxing glow of a Himalayan rock salt lamp will certainly help you get into the zone when you are practising meditation or some other form of relaxation technique.

Do salt lamps work?

If you bought a Himalayan salt lamp for nothing but its beautiful crystal surface and soft warm glow, you would surely find something precious in its sheer presence.

However, much is made of its health giving properties.

Those naysayers who debunk this say there is no evidence that the lamp can absorb toxins. They may pronounce that there is no proof that sodium chloride, a stable compound, can absorb toxins through the air and they’d conclude that the medical claims are purely wishful thinking.

Sure, there have been a couple of small studies involving rats and mice that showed contact with a salt lamp had antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects but nothing has been proved as far as human beings are concerned.

However, alternative therapies have their way of working for some people while others will consider them to be without value.

That doesn’t mean that they should be dismissed altogether.

Some things in life will always remain a mystery and outside the doctrine of modern science.

What is a Himalayan salt lamp?

Not all salt lamps are the genuine article.

For them to be of benefit, they should be created from salt found in the Himalayas - specifically in underground mines in Khewra, Pakistan, which is to be found on the western edge of the Himalayan Mountains.

Himalayan salt is of a pinkish hue, ranging from a light hue to pinkish orange salt crystal as the result of reacting with iron and other minerals in its formation.

When you buy a real Himalayan salt lamp, it will have been hand-carved from a solid block of Himalayan salt, and when the salt particles are warmed by the inner light it can have amazing health benefits.

How are Himalayan salt lamps made?

Himalayan crystal mineral salt has been developing over the past 250 million years under intense tectonic pressure, creating an environment where there is absolutely no exposure to any toxins, pollutants and impurities.

The way the salt crystal's unique cellular structure is formed therefore allows the salt to store vibrational (healing) energy.

Himalayan mineral salt’s salt crystals and minerals exist in a colloidal form; meaning, that they are tiny enough for our cells to easily absorb.

In Himalayan crystal mineral salt there are an estimated 80 types of mineral that our bodies are made up of - and need renewing.

How to use Himalayan salt lamp

The first thing you need to understand is that your Himalayan salt lamp isn’t the same as a lamp you might buy purely for decorative purposes.

It is actually a little more complex than that.

But given its uniqueness you probably thought that might be the case?

Handle with care when moving your salt lamp.

This is because the bulb can crack and fuse if it is knocked into the inside.

The bulb might also collect moisture on the interior of the lamp, and this could also cause it to crack.

Water might also engender problems if it drips down into the lamp holder itself, causing bulbs to fuse or components to corrode.

Ways to avoid this will include:

1. Turning the lamp off and allowing it to cool down before relocating it
2. Making sure that you pick it up carefully if you need to move it - for example, if you’re cleaning
3. If you need to transport it elsewhere then to ensure it doesn’t damage, dismantle the globe holder and reassemble it when it’s at its new position
4. Salt lamps are hygroscopic, which makes them a conduit for water and that means they are prone to slight leaking so the best way to deal with this is to leave your salt lamp turned on all the time. This will ensure it is perpetually warmed up and that any water that does occur will evaporate very quickly. Don’t worry! This won’t mean ramped up electricity bills as your Himalayan salt lamp uses very little energy.

Where to buy Himalayan salt lamp?

The material from which your Himalayan salt lamp has been created may have travelled thousands of miles, but fortunately you don’t have to traverse the globe to acquire one of these beautiful objects.

You might want one for your own home, or as a gift from someone you feel will benefit from its incredible properties.

Either way, we're confident that our Himalayan salt range is a perfect place to delve into its ancient mysteries.