We have put together a comprehensive guide that will help you decide whether a salt lamp is worth your money or not. Our guide covers everything you need to know about its claimed health benefits and how it works. Take a look. A light bulb is placed inside large chunks of the pink Himalayan salt. When turned on, this lamp emits a warming and calming pink glow that is believed to soothe one’s mind and body. But how does this salt lamp actually work? We will understand the same in the next section.
Do Himalayan Salt Lamps Actually Work (And How)?
It is important to understand that there is not enough scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of Himalayan pink salts in providing health benefits. The manufacturers claim that the salt lamps can act as natural ionizers that release helpful negative ions into a room and purify it. Some research suggests that negative air-ion therapy may help people dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (2). How does negative-ion therapy work through salt lamps? Himalayan salt lamps can supposedly change the charge of the surrounding air and produce ions that attract water particles (3). These particles then get evaporated as a salt solution when heated by the lamp. The user ultimately ends up passively processing these negative ions that are known to have health benefits. Even though salt lamps may produce health-benefiting ions, it is unclear whether they can have significant amounts of negative ions to be genuinely beneficial. More research is warranted to conclusively prove the efficacy of Himalayan salt lamps. In the next section, we discuss some advantages of owning a Himalayan salt lamp.
Top 4 Benefits Of Owning A Himalayan Salt Lamp
Most people use Himalayan salt lamps as decorative pieces. The following advantages warrant better scientific research.
1. May Boost Your Mood
Exposure to higher concentrations of ions in indoor air may improve your cognitive performance and mental well-being (4). However, another study indicates no effect on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, or personal comfort with increased air ion exposure (5). However, the study did claim that negative ionization did lead to lower depression ratings among the participants.
2. May Help Purify Room Air
The Himalayan salt lamp is known to purify indoor air by removing harmful pathogens. It may be beneficial for people with respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies, etc. However, more research is warranted in this regard. For example, while studies suggest that negative ions in considerable quantities may kill dust mites, the lamp does not produce enough ions to cause any pest extermination (6).
3. May Help You Sleep
There is no direct research linking the benefit of using a Himalayan salt lamp for better sleep. However, considering that the lamp emits a dim, soothing light, it may help create a calming, sleep-friendly environment.
4. May Elevate The Ambience
The salt lamp can be an attractive decorative piece at home. It also can create an inviting and relaxing environment at home and allow you to unwind before bedtime. You may go for a Himalayan salt lamp for these advantages. But what should you look for in a lamp before you buy one?
What Should You Look For When Buying A Salt Lamp?
Go for a lamp with darker pink crystals. The darker the pink, the higher the quality of the light. Ensure the lamp salt is made of pink salts extracted from the Khewra mine in Pakistan. Consider the size of your room before choosing the lamp. For instance, a lamp weighing 2 to 3 kilos should suffice for a smaller room. Avoid lamps that give away excess light. Such lamps might be fake. Authentic Himalayan salt lamps emit a soft, warm glow. Be wary of lowly-priced white Himalayan salt lamps. Himalayan crystals are expensive to be mined and processed into a lamp. Hence, the finished product is usually not cheap.
Do you leave Himalayan salt lamps on all the time? No, there is no need to leave Himalayan salt lamps on all the time. They can be used when you are at home and can be turned off when you step out. How long should you keep a salt lamp on? The Himalayan salt lamps can be kept on for 15 – 16 hours a day. This way, the natural salt crystal stays warm. How do you take care of a Himalayan salt lamp? Himalayan salt lamps should not be washed. If the lamp has become dusty, use a microfiber cloth to wipe it gently. Are salt lamps good for sinuses? Salt lamps may stimulate the movement of cilia in the body, which keep the sinuses clear of mucus and dirt. However, there is a lack of quality research in this regard. Can Himalayan salt lamps raise blood pressure? No, Himalayan salt lamps cannot raise blood pressure. In fact, there is no significant impact of salt lamps on blood pressure.
