If you’ve never owned a Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp, you do not know what you have been missing. It’s like having an open window, with a softly glowing natural source of fresh, clean air anywhere you choose to put it. I have one in every room of the house, except for the master bath (the lamps should not be exposed to humidity). Each lamp is beautiful and uniquely carved, and carry with them a multitude of health benefits, many of which have been well known in ancient cultures for over 2000 years.
But first, a refresher 7th grade science lesson: All matter is made up of molecules, which are made up of atoms, which are made up of three types of particles: protons (positive charge), electrons (negative charge), and neutrons (neutral). Sometimes an electron flies off and leaves behind a positively-charged ion, which then wants to steal a replacement electron from another molecule. Because of our use of so many electronic devices and appliances in our homes and offices, the air around us is filled with these positive ions, and we need a way to replace the negative ions back into the air. Enter the Himalayan ink Salt Lamp.
Now that you remember how these particles work, let’s take a look at the top 10 benefits of the Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp (HPS).
- Cleanse & Deodorize the Air
Probably the most well-known benefit is their incredible power to remove dust, pollen, pet dander, pollution, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants from the air.
Himalayan pink salt lamps purify air through the power of hygroscopy: attracting water molecules from the surrounding environment, absorbing those molecules and any foreign particles they may be carrying, into the salt crystal. As the lamp warms up from the heat produced by the light bulb inside, that same water then evaporates back into the air and the trapped particles of dust, pollen, smoke, and other contaminants remain locked in the salt.
- Reduce Allergy & Asthma Symptoms
Because the lamps remove microscopic particles of dust, pet dander, mold, mildew and the like from the surrounding air, placing a lamp or two in the rooms where you spend the most time can seriously cut back on allergy symptoms. Even people who suffer from asthma should notice a big difference after a week or two. You can even purchase HPS Inhalers.
- Eases Coughing
When the Himalayan pink salt lamp heats up and begins its hydroscopic cycling of airborne particles, it also changes the charge of the molecules which are released. The majority of our homes and workplaces are filled with positively charged ions which aren’t particularly good for a person’s health. The primary source of these positively charged ions is from our electronic devices, including TV, stereo, computers, and appliances.
One of the health issues associate with breathing positive ions in the air is that the cilia (microscopic hairs) which line the trachea become sluggish and do not function as well to keep contaminants our airways. As the HPS lamp absorbs water and particles from the air, it also takes in the positive ions. When the heated salt releases cleansed water vapor back into the air, it expels negative ions which have the opposite effect on our airways – increasing cilia activity to keep your lungs clear.
There is actually a health resort built into one of the salt mines in Europe, primarily for people with respiratory illness.
- Increase Energy Levels
Anything that exposes us to increased concentrations of negative ions such as those generated by Himalayan salt lamps will make us feel energized – like a morning shower or a drive in the fresh air with the windows down. Constant exposure to positive ions sap the body of energy. If you constantly feel tired and don’t know why, try keeping a Himalayan salt lamp in the room or rooms where you spend the most time. After about a week, you should notice a difference.
- Neutralize Electromagnetic Radiation
Most of us are exposed to electromagnetic (EM) radiation which flows from our electronics. While they may be invisible, the long-term effects of EM exposure can have consequences which impact your health. Constant exposure to EM radiation is known to increase stress levels, cause chronic fatigue, and decrease the body’s immune response.
Himalayan salt lamps work to neutralize electromagnetic radiation by emitting negative ions back into the air. Keep one next to the computer, television, and any other electrical devices which you use frequently to reduce this potential danger.
- Better Sleep
Another side effect which results from over-exposure to positive ions in the air is poor sleep, because those positively-charged particles can actually reduce blood and oxygen supply to the brain resulting in irregular sleep patterns. Keep one or two HPS lamps around your bedroom to improve the air quality for better sleep.
Some lamps have a dimmer switch so that at night you can adjust the intensity of the light. If not, and you need the room totally dark, you can always turn the lamp off at bedtime. Just leave it on for the rest of the day so it can do its work while you are awake.
- Improve Mood & Concentration
Himalayan pink salt lamps are a great way to naturally enhance your mood or to help you relax and unwind at the end of the day. At the same time, HPS lamps are great for improving concentration. Again, this is due to the effect of the negative ions on your body, improving blood and oxygen supply to the brain and other organs, as well as providing a boost of serotonin – the neurotransmitter which makes us feel calm and happy.
- Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder
In addition to generating negative ions which improve mood and energy levels, the soft natural light given off by a Himalayan pink salt lamp is close enough to the warm glow of sunshine that they can even be used to relieve the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (which diminishes the production of serotonin, mentioned above).
- Reduce Static Electricity in the Air
Static usually zaps you when you least expect it – reaching for a door handle, kissing your partner before bed, or trying to pet your dog or cat. Himalayan pink salt lamps are a natural way to neutralize the airborne ionized particles which cause static during dry and colder times of the year.
- Environmentally-Friendly Light Source
Himalayan pink salt lamps are environmentally friendly. While only an estimate, the reserves from which HPS is mined measure somewhere between 80 and 600 million tons and is projected to last for at least another 350 years at the current extraction rate. The base of an HPS lamp is generally carved from a sustainable wood such as neem. Most lamps use a low-wattage bulb which consumes very little energy while others are powered by a lit candle. The salt crystal itself never gets hot to the touch, only slightly warm.
Choosing & Placing Your Himalayan Pink Salt Lamp
When it comes to buying Himalayan pink salt lamps, coverage area is determined by the size of the crystal. Smaller lamps (about 5 pounds) are good for the average bedroom, while larger lamps (around 12 pounds) are better for spaces like the living room or den. On average, calculate about 2 pounds per 10 x 10 space. If you can’t find a large enough lamp for any given room, you can use multiple lamps spread out around the space for the same effect.
I highly recommend building a whole-home collection of these beautiful lights even if you only buy one or two at a time. Start by purchasing appropriately-sized lamps for those areas where you spend the most time, then move on to rooms with lots of electrical devices, and finish your collection by adding lamps to infrequently-used spaces.
Himalayan pink salt crystals will begin to melt with prolonged exposure to high humidity. For this reason, use caution and keep a close watch on any HPS lamps positioned near sources of steam such as dishwashers, laundry rooms, or showers. These lamps are not recommended for outdoor use.
Locally in Southeast Texas, you can find these lamps at Bed Bath & Beyond, and at Earthbound Trading Company at ParkDale Mall. You can also find tons of them online at places like Amazon. I do not recommend purchasing a used HPS lamp, so be sure that wherever you buy it, it is brand new and in original packaging.
Remember, it takes about a week for the benefits mentioned here to be noticeable, so don’t give up if you don’t feel the improvement right away. My lamps had been active for about a week when my husband came home from working out of town, and he immediately noticed that the house smelled “cleaner.” To me, my home now smells like fresh washed sheets dried outside in the sun on a clothesline!
~ Doneane
Fitness Nutrition Consulting 