Himalayan salt lamps host an array of health and environmental benefits which make them very beneficial for the home, see how you can benefit today with these positive facts!
Himalayan Salt Lamps are made from pieces of Himalayan salt crystals. They serve as beautiful interior decorations and act as natural sources of light. However, the many diverse functions of Himalayan salt extend far beyond aesthetics. Combined with a light source inside the lamps, the chunks of salt produce negative ions, which yield positive effects on indoor air. Placing a Himalayan salt lamp in every room of the home can reap several health and environmental benefits. Among other things, they can:
12. Balance Electromagnetic Radiation
Everyday appliances such as televisions, cell phones, computers and tablets release positive ions into the air constantly. These and other common electronics can cause an overflow of electromagnetic radiation (EM), which, although invisible, is believed to cause some serious long-term effects. Constant exposure to EM radiation is known primarily to cause fatigue, increase stress and weaken the immune system. Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions and cancel out positive ones. Therefore, by neutralizing electromagnetic radiation, they help reduce artificial frequencies and even prevent static buildup.
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11. Enhance Overall Breathing
Cilia are the finite hairs that line the windpipe and act like microscopic breathing filters. According to studies, positive ions decrease cilial activity while, conversely, negative ions have a more increasing and positive effect. Himalayan salt lamps are therefore believed to improve breathing by releasing negative ions that filter foreign particles and keep the lungs cleaner in general.
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10. Cleanse, Deodorize, and Purify Air
Himalayan pink salt lamps help clean the air through an operation called hygroscopy, which attracts and absorbs contaminated water molecules from the immediate environment and locks them into the salt crystal. The process has the amazing ability to remove cigarette smoke, dust and other contaminants from the air. This benefit is particularly popular, as salty air acts as an overall health booster and can help clear the air passages.
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9. Calm Allergies and Reduce Asthma
Himalayan salt lamps are believed to filter dust, mold, mildew and pet dander from indoor air. Just as a nasal saline spray uses salt to clear airways, they help to relieve allergy symptoms of all kinds. Those who struggle with asthma also claim to benefit from Himalayan salt. It is such an effective breathing aid that certain manufacturers have produced Himalayan salt inhalers targeted toward sufferers of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory issues.
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8. Alleviate Coughing and Other Symptoms of the Common Cold
It is possible that the negative ions released by Himalayan salt lamps may protect against airborne germs. In addition to removing these contaminants from the air, the salt also allows the body to filter air more effectively in an attempt to block any foreign particles from making it into the lungs. This can prevent the advancement of coughing, sneezing, sore throats, and other minor symptoms of the common cold.
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7. Boost Blood Flow
Particular studies have suggested that negative ions, such as those emitted by Himalayan salt lamps, can accelerate blood flow. This boost helps to improve several disorders of the vascular system and can prevent certain damage to the lungs.
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6. Raise Energy Levels
Positive ions deplete the body of energy, and it is believed that Himalayan salt lamps can actually do the opposite. The negative ions increase energy levels, which yields a refreshing effect similar to the feeling of rejuvenation achieved from spending time in nature.
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5. Sharpen Concentration and Performance
Exposure to negative air ions reduces stress and enhances overall performance. Negative ions increase blood and oxygen supplies to the brain, making Himalayan salt lamps great at improving concentration. They also provide a boost of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which literally creates the feeling of happiness.
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4. Enhance Mood
Many studies suggest that negative ions improve mood and energy levels by increasing serotonin in the brain. Therefore, Himalayan salt lamps can benefit people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other forms of depression.
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3. Reduce Stress and Promote Relaxation
Himalayan salt lamps can be used as an aid in color therapy (chromotherapy), an alternative method of diagnosing and treating a large number of illnesses. They produce a soft light in hues of ambient orange, yellow and red that helps with stress, attention deficit disorder, and general relaxation, among others. The serene light is thought to balance physical, spiritual and emotional energies.
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2. Improve Sleep
Over-exposure to positive ions reduces the brain’s blood and oxygen supply, which can lead to irregular sleeping patterns. The negative ions from a Himalayan salt lamp are said to reverse this effect, making them a popular sleep aid. Also, in direct relation to chromotherapy, the soothing light can help people who suffer from insomnia.
Real vs. Fake Himalayan Salt Lamps
Wondering where to buy Himalayan salt lamp? You can find them easily online and in stores. But unfortunately, a Himalayan salt lamp hoax is possible.
If you’re in the market for an authentic Himalayan salt lamp, you want to do your homework to make sure you choose the best option possible.
There are said to be several ways to tell if you have a salt lamp that’s the real deal. Unfortunately, some of these characteristics will only be made known to you if you read Himalayan salt lamp reviews very carefully or, the less desirable scenario, once you’ve been actually using it in your home for a while (so hang on to that receipt!).
Top signs that your Himalayan salt lamp is a fake include:
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1. Poor Return Policy
Real Himalayan salt lamps are made of salt so it’s not surprising that they’re fragile objects. A good manufacturer knows this and has return policies that are flexible since there could be some damage in transit.
If a salt lamp’s maker is extremely strict (like a “NO RETURNS” policy), then it makes you wonder if it’s a scam operation. This might not necessarily be the case, but some fake retailers have been known not to permit any returns because they know they’re not giving you the real thing.
2. Highly Durable
As I just said, Himalayan salt lamps are inherently fragile. Once you own one, you definitely need to be careful not to drop it or bang it into other solid objects because the salt crystal can be damaged very easily.
This is actually a rare time when durability is not desirable. If your salt lamp is unaffected by a collision, it could likely be an imposter.
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3. Very Bright Light
If you’re looking for the best Himalayan salt lamp, it’s actually not going to be one that emits very bright light. If all you’re looking for is a bright light source, a salt lamp is not the way to go. Himalayan salt lamp bulbs are small and not designed to give off very bright light (they’re typically 25-watt bulbs).
But more importantly, due to its high content of numerous minerals, a Himalayan pink salt lamp gives off light in an irregular and muffled manner. A true pink salt salt lamp will not give off enough light to completely illuminate a room. If yours does, then it’s most likely not the real deal.
4. Inexpensive White Crystal
You’ll typically find Himalayan salt lamps that give off a warm pinkish or orange hue. There is such a thing as a white Himalayan salt lamp, but it’s extremely rare and a lot more pricey than the colored ones.
So if you find a white salt crystal lamp that’s not substantially more expensive than the pink/orange versions, steer clear because this is likely an imposter. It’s also unclear how legit a blue himalayan salt lamp so you may want to avoid that variety as well.
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(Sidenote: If you’re wondering, why is my salt lamp turning white? If you have a legitimate Himalayan crystal salt lamp then one explanation is that as water lands on the surface of the lamp, it causes some of the ionic crystalline structure of the salt to break down and then when the water evaporates, the ionic bonds will reform again as the solution turns back into salt. So the more you use the lamp, the more white crystals may accumulate.)
5. No Mention of Pakistan
Deep underground mines in Khewra, Pakistan, are the only source of true Himalayan pink salt. A real Himalayan salt lamp must be made from real Himalayan pink salt crystal.
If you’re questioning whether you have a real Himalayan salt lamp, look for mention of Pakistan as the salt crystal’s country of origin. You can also ask the lamp’s maker about the salt’s origin, keeping in mind that it may list the country of origin as the location of the lamp’s assembly.
6. Moisture-Resistant
People wonder, do Himalayan salt lamps actually work? Well if they are going to work (and actually be made out of real salt rock) they are definitely not going to be moisture-resistant.
By its inherent nature, salt crystal is an absorber of water. If your salt lamp has no problem being near a moisture source (like a shower), this is a good sign that you own a fake. A true salt lamp is prone to some sweating when exposed to moisture.
7. Not Experiencing Any Benefits
If you’re sure that you bought the appropriately sized salt lamp for the space you’re using it in and you’ve also been exposed to it on a regular basis and don’t see any positive effects whatsoever, then you may not have a real Himalayan salt lamp.
