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4 Benefits Of Himalayan Salt Lamp And How It Actually Works

Light up your mood, purify the air and sleep better as you set the tone of your house.

Medically reviewed by Dr Archana Batra, CDE
Written by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, Professional Certificate In Food, Nutrition & Health

Edited by Arshiya Syeda

Fact-checked by Sindhu Koganti, Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach • Sep 20, 2023

4 Benefits Of Himalayan Salt Lamp And How It Actually Works

Image: Shutterstock

There is much buzz about the Himalayan salt lamp’s benefits, and its proponents are unanimous in its praise. Salt lamps, after all, are nothing new to us. It is easy to question their effectiveness and wonder if they really work as their fans claim. You don’t have to worry any longer. We have tested their effectiveness once and for all.

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.

Know Your Ingredient: Himalayan Salt Lamp

What Is It?
A lamp made of pink/orange Himalayan salt crystals fitted with a light bulb.

What Are Its Benefits?
It improves air quality and sleep and boosts mood.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone can use it except children.

How Often?
You can use it 24 hours every day.

Caution
Avoid using it if you have pets in your home.

In This Article

What Is A Himalayan Salt Lamp?

The authentic Himalayan salt lamps are made from the mineral-rich pink/orange Himalayan salts harvested in Pakistan’s Khewra Salt Mine region (1). What makes this salt special is the fact that it is a million years old. The salt is similar to the composition of table salt, but its rosy-pink color comes from its magnesium, potassium, and calcium content.

A light bulb is placed inside large chunks of the pink Himalayan salt. If you’re wondering “What do salt lamps do?”, when turned on, this lamp emits a warming and calming pink glow that is believed to soothe one’s mind and body.

Did You Know?

Pink Himalayan salt is at least 20 times more expensive than sea or table salt in the current market.

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.

Himalayan salt lamp benefits are centered around its ions. 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

Himalayan salt lamp elevates the ambiance

Image: Shutterstock

Most people use Himalayan salt lamps as decorative pieces. The following advantages warrant better scientific research. Nevertheless, here are some benefits of Himalayan salt lamps:

1. May Boost Your Mood

Image: Shutterstock

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

Image: Shutterstock

The Himalayan salt lamp is known to aid in air purification indoors 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

Image: Shutterstock

There is no direct research linking the benefit of using a Himalayan salt lamp for better sleep and relaxation. 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 home decor piece. It also can create an inviting and relaxing environment at home and allow you to unwind before bedtime.

Quick Tip

Himalayan salt lamps are found in many different shapes and forms, such as oval, hexagon, cube, or a number of rocks in a basket or on a wooden base.

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?

Image: Shutterstock

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.

Infographic: Reasons To Keep A Himalayan Salt Lamp At Home + Buying Tips

An authentic Himalayan salt lamp is not just a source of light or yet another decorative piece for homes. It serves diverse purposes. It is rich in minerals, helps purify the air, and can contribute to your mental well-being. The following infographic covers the reason you should get one for your home and tips to identify an authentic lamp. Take a look.

reasons to keep a himalayan salt lamp at home and buying tips (infographic)

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Download Infographic

Himalayan lamp benefits are limited to its aesthetic appeal. It has a lovely warm glow, and it is said to have numerous health and wellness advantages. While these claims are attributed to its supposed negative air-ion therapy, further research is needed to back this. It may help in stress relief and mood enhancement, which may work due to its attractive, pleasing appearance or the emission of ions in the atmosphere. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help in sleep improvement, may lower anxiety, and play a major role in holistic healing. There is a great need for scientific investigation to back up these statements. However, you can utilize the Himalayan lamp to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your house.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Key Takeaways

The warming and pink light emitting from Himalayan salt lamps impart a soothing effect on the mind and body.
These lamps release health-benefiting negative ions and help purify the room.
According to studies, negative ionization has lower depression rates among subjects.

Discover the incredible health benefits of pink Himalayan salt in this video. From energizing lamps to better sleep, explore how this natural wonder can enhance your well-being.

Sources

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