Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits: Facts, Myths and How to Use Them

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Home » Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits: Facts, Myths and How to Use Them

There are few things in life as soothing and relaxing as the warm glow of a campfire, and a Himalayan salt lamp offers a similar ambiance at home.

I’ve talked before about how I use them to help keep the air fresh and for their soothing red glow. Salt lamps have exploded in popularity over the last few years, along with some explosive claims about their benefits. In this article, I’ll break down the well-studied benefits, the anecdotal ones, and why everyone seems to love these lamps!

TIP: If you’re just looking for a high quality salt lamp for your home (and don’t care about the science), I have this one on my desk right now and love it.

What is a Himalayan Salt Lamp?

Salt lamps or HPS (Himalayan Pink Salt) lamps are large pieces of pure Himalayan Salt with a small bulb inside. They can be solid pieces of salt (like this one) or decorative baskets filled with large crystals of salt (like these). They offer a nice warm glow when lit and may be beneficial for indoor air quality.

Himalayan salt lamps are made from pure, food grade, Himalayan salt crystals. True Himalayan Salt comes from the western side of the Himalayan Mountains in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Once mined, this salt is hand carved into lamps or powdered to use as salt in recipes.

Why is Himalayan Salt Pink?

Regular table salt is primarily just sodium chloride. Himalayan salt is still about 98% sodium chloride, but also contains trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Trace minerals give salt lamps their hue, which can range from light pink to a dark orange/pink.

These beautiful lamps gained massive popularity recently and there are many benefits attributed to them.

But are these benefits actually backed by science?

Let’s find out…

How Does a Himalayan Salt Lamp Work?

Good question! We know the body needs salt for things like hydration, electrolyte balance, proper blood pressure regulation and for the nervous system. But all of these benefits come from consuming the salt internally (which I also do).

Most of us aren’t eating our salt lamps so the benefits come from another property of salt. Salt is naturally hygroscopic, which means it attracts water molecules to itself. The theory goes that salt lamps attract water molecules in the air.

Since water in the air can also hold allergens, pollutants and even bacteria, these substances get attracted to the lamp too. The heated salt lamp supposedly dries out the water vapor, leaving the particles attached to the salt. For this reason, many sources recommend wiping down the salt lamp with a cloth a few times a week to clean it.

Other sources claim that Himalayan salt lamp benefits are due to the creation of negative ions.

Do Salt Lamps Really Generate Negative Ions?

Many sources claim that salt lamps are natural negative ion generators, although there are some important points to understand:

What are negative ions?

At any given time, there are both positive and negative ions in the air. As a flashback to freshman science class:

An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving the atom a net positive or negative electrical charge.

Positively charged ions are also known as cations, while negatively charged ions are anions. The positive or negative charge makes ions able to move and bond easily.

Negative Ions in Nature

Negative ions occur more often in nature and they are often created by things like lightening storms, sunlight, waterfalls, and ocean waves. Running water is considered nature’s greatest source of negative ions and may be one of the things that contributes to the refreshing scent of waterfalls and the beach. In fact, this is one of the reasons people often report feeling renewed or refreshed after a storm or after spending time at the beach.

WebMD explains some of the benefits of negative ions in the air:

Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.

“They also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation.”

And for a whopping one in three of us who are sensitive to their effects, negative ions can make us feel like we are walking on air. You are one of them if you feel instantly refreshed the moment you open a window and breathe in fresh, humid air.

Places like waterfalls and beaches where negative ions are naturally produced can have a negative ion concentration of up to 10,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter whereas busy cities can have negative ion levels as low as 100 ions per cubic centimeter.

But, Do Salt Lamps Generate Negative Ions?

Short answer: Yes. But not in large amounts.

Spending time in nature, especially around water, is definitely the best way to get exposure to negative ions, but salt lamps also generate small amounts, especially when used consistently over time.

Since positive ions are often created by electronic devices like computers, TVs, microwaves, and even vacuum cleaners, they can often exacerbate problems like allergies, stress and sleep trouble. Negative ions can neutralize positive ions (they bond together) and help cleanse the air. Additionally, salt lamps offer a soothing glow that many people find relaxing.

I don’t personally use salt lamps strictly as a negative ion generator, but keep them around the house, especially near electronics. If negative ions are the goal, using a negative ion generator would be a much more concentrated source.

Salt Lamps ARE Hygroscopic

As I said above, all salt, by its nature, is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts water to its surface. In a Himalayan salt lamp, this water evaporates quickly due to the small amount of heat from the light source (this is also why salt lamps tend to sweat and appear wet in humid climates).

Small amounts of water vapor is present in the air and can carry things like mold, bacteria, and allergens. Salt lamps attract this water vapor and those items it carries to its surface and removes them from the air. When the water vapor evaporates, this MAY generate a small amount of negative ions.

The theory that salt lamps generate negative ions is not tested or well studied. That said, it is likely that due to the hygroscopic nature of salt, these lamps have a positive effect on air quality.

The Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps

Salt lamps may not be the negative ion generation panacea they are made out to be, but we have them in many rooms of our house for other reasons:

1. Great Night Light and Low-Light Lamp

Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits for Clean Air and Reduced Allergies

Research has shown that different colors of light affect the body in different ways. My own doctor recommends avoiding blue light after sunset because it can interfere with circadian rhythm and disrupt sleep hormones.

Unfortunately, many modern light sources like cell phones, tablets, computers, and TVs emit a lot of blue light and many of us spend a good majority of time staring at these screens, especially in the evening.

Salt lamps, on the other hand, offer a warm orange glow, similar to the orange hues found in a campfire or by candlelight. For this reason, they are a great light source for the evening and can even be used as a night light without negatively affecting sleep.

I often wear orange sunglasses at night if I’ll be on the computer or watching a movie to avoid blue light, and we use mostly salt lamps and other low and orange lights after dark for mood lighting.

2. May Improve Air Quality

As mentioned, salt lamps are not a spectacular source of negative ions. However, due to their hygroscopic properties, they may improve the air in other ways. Besides offering a soothing glow, they can attract pollutants in the air and even help neutralize the effects of electronics.

3. Light and Color Therapy Benefits

These soothing lamps may also help boost mood and energy levels, especially for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The soft orange hues are one of the soothing colors often used to calm mood and increase focus. The small amounts of negative ions may also be helpful in boosting mood as well. But, if you’re looking for the benefits of the negative ions, spend some time outside instead!

4. Soothing for Allergies

My brother-in-law has struggled with asthma and allergies for much of his life and he found relief after using a Himalayan salt inhaler. Others notice a difference from having salt lamps in their homes or offices. I haven’t found any studies that have looked into why, but the anecdotal evidence is strong from allergy sufferers.

How To Choose a High Quality Salt Lamp

It is possible to buy machines that create negative ions, but I’ve found that spending time outdoors and having salt lamps around the home indoors are less expensive alternatives that offer other benefits as well.

We have salt lamps in most rooms in our home and enjoy them in winter months when it isn’t possible to have the windows open or to spend as much time outside. We now have a solid salt lamp and a basket lamp in several rooms of our home and I love them for their ambient glow and orange color.

Salt lamps cost less than many other types of lamps, and a high quality one can last for decades.

If you are interested in adding a salt lamp to your home, choose ones with these features for best quality:

  1. Orange Color– Darker colored lamps are typically considered higher quality. Lamps should specify that they are 100% Himalayan salt, as cheap imitations may use lower quality salt.
  2. Size– The bigger the salt lamp, the bigger the affect. Smaller lamps weight 5-6 lbs while larger ones can weigh up to 50 lbs. Smaller lamps are typically much less expensive, so we keep 1 or 2 in smaller rooms and 2 or 3 in larger rooms of our home.
  3. Rough Surface– The surface area of a salt lamp determines its hygroscopic potential. Rougher lamps have a higher surface area than smooth and polished lamps and are more effective at improving air quality. In my opinion, they also look better and are a great decoration for most rooms.
  4. Bulb– The hygroscopic benefits are due to the salt and heat together so it is important to use a heat-producing bulb. LED bulbs don’t accomplish this. I use these inexpensive bulbs.

These are a few of the Himalayan Salt Lamps I’ve tried that meet these criteria:

Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits: Bottom Line

Salt lamps aren’t a panacea and they don’t take the place of a quality air filter. They don’t create large amounts of negative ions like you’ll find in nature, especially around water. If negative ions are the goal, taking a hike or a swim in nature is a much more efficient way to get them.

Himalayan salt lamps are a beautiful light source that may offer the benefits of color therapy, by cleaning the air hygroscopically and in alleviating allergies. They are an inexpensive no-blue light source to use after dark and as a sleep-friendly night light for kids.

At the end of the day, they aren’t going to fix any health problems on their own or drastically improve indoor air quality. They are, however,  a beautiful and eco-friendly light source that produces a healthy spectrum of light. If you are choosing lamps for your home, they are a great option to consider.

himalayan-salt-lamp-benefits-and-practical-uses

Other Ways to Use Himalayan Salt

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Ever used a Himalayan salt lamp or other air filter? How do you like it? Tell me below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

427 responses to “Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits: Facts, Myths and How to Use Them”

  1. Linda Avatar

    How do I make sure it is actually Himylain Salt and not a fake?

  2. Margie Klisiewicz Avatar
    Margie Klisiewicz

    I bought my salt lamp, from Bed Bath and Beyond, it lasted a week, I took it back and got another one,Mine turns different colors, just love it,I do wish it had a shut off switch on it though. How can one be put on it? I hope this one lasts longer, what do you think happened to the first one? Thank you, Margie

  3. Kris Avatar

    Everybody seems to be quite taken with this product, however, how can you simply just say “negative ions”? that is the most vague, unspecific thing you could say. You cannot possibly say that there are more “negative ions” than “positive ions”. They are a mutual entity; one cannot exist without the other, otherwise that would break the rules of thermodynamics.

    Positive ions are essentially how your body works, negative ions help maintain balance as well, so there isn’t really a benefit from a surplus of either. Any anatomy/physiology/biology course will tell you this. I don’t see how you can honestly expect a health benefit from a salt lamp. Really think about the chemistry here, it doesn’t add up.

    You cannot neutralize bacteria and mold with charges. Perhaps IF they were to try to live ON the lamp, but not the whole environment. Bacteria and mold are living things, not charges, so they don’t just disappear when you add a negatively charged molecule to it.

    One last thing. When comparing charges like above, 10,000 ions/cm^3 and 100 ions/cm^3, this is literally statistically irrelevant. When you look at molecules and atoms, you’re looking on the magnitude of billions of billions. A few hundred thousand will make absolutely zero difference biologically.

    I’m not saying this is a bad lamp, its just very inaccurate. Its actually a pretty nice lamp. Very soothing.

    I have a chemistry degree if anybody was wondering.

    1. Cindy Avatar

      Thanks for your comment. I started to get sucked into the hype of salt lamps and then did some more research. The science simply does not add up. I have one because I like the looks of it, but it doesn’t do anything for the air.

    2. Ann Avatar

      I beg to differ. I live in the Pacific NW. Mold basically grows on anything that does not move. Before placing one of these lamps in the bathroom it would take about a month for the bathtub to start turning pink and then go to mold. After I placed a salt lamp in the room it now takes closer to 4 or 5 months for the pink to show. I have no clue as to health benefits, but I can say it certainly helps contain mold.

  4. Lisa Avatar

    This may be a silly question but I will ask anyway. We used to live near the ocean and moved to the country. We really so miss the smell of salt air so this would be a great alternative for us. My question is do they create rust like the salt air from the ocean??

  5. Bob Blaylock Avatar
    Bob Blaylock

      There’s some questionable science that supports possible benefits to devices that change the ionization of the air; but there is not the least bit of plausible scientific evidence that these salt lamps do any such thing.  No plausible scientific explanation that supports the idea that these lamps in any way add anything to the air, remove anything from the air, or cause any change of any kind to the air other than a slight addition of heat from the light itself, exactly the same as from any other incandescent light of comparable wattage.

      If you find the lamp pleasing to the eye, and you like the aesthetic effect of its light on a room, then buy it for that reason only.  If you buy it because you think it will in any way improve the air, or provide any health benefit, then Laurence Tureaud has compassion on you.

    1. Dawn Avatar

      There may not be any plausible evidence but I started using one a year ago. On the days that I forever to turn it on I will see all kinds of dust floating in the air. When I run it consistently I do not see the dust particles. That’s proof enough for me

  6. jenny gauthier Avatar
    jenny gauthier

    How can you tell a real Himalayan Salt rock from a fake one????

  7. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Can you actually cite any research or proof to show that salt lamps generate negative ions or that negative ions are beneficial? It’s funny that you mention science in this article, but completely fail to explain how salt lamps could possibly generate these ions.

  8. Amy Avatar

    I have one in my bedroom and one for my daughter’s too. Problem is the light at night bothers us. Wonder if there are dark bulbs or a different heat source you could use so that it doesn’t light up. Or if we shut it off at night will the effects not last.

  9. Cat Avatar

    Can these protect against toxins that may be released from furniture. Specifically, things like polyurethane (fake leather) recliners, etc.?

  10. Sally Mitchell Avatar
    Sally Mitchell

    I got one of these lamps at Walmart.Mine is electric.I have a. Breathing problem and what a difference it has made ?I can breath so much better.I will buy another one as soon as I can.Mine was about $16.00.

  11. Sue Dimick Avatar
    Sue Dimick

    If I’m to believe this . Why isn’t the most most important question answered.. what about radons and radiation being n

  12. Carmela White Avatar
    Carmela White

    You mentioned making sure the salt is from a pure Himalayan Crystal source…how can I tell?

  13. Betty Avatar

    Just received a Himalayan Salt lamp for my birthday, it really has a very relaxing glow, absolutely thrilled with it.

  14. Becky Avatar

    How far away can you be from the lamp and still get a positive effect? My mom got me one for Christmas and I have it in my office b/c I heard it helps with the radiation from the computers and stuff. Does it help the whole room or only a small area? I also have an essential oil diffuser that I use in my office.

  15. Stephen Avatar

    Hi, I have this Himalayan salt lamp one in living room and one in bed room but after using for couple days I noticed that air became so dry. Is this lamp not good to use in winter time? Thank you.

  16. Kim Avatar

    I have a question ~ Is it safe to leave my lamp on all night? I like to have some dim light in my room at night and I wasn’t sure if it would get too hot on the inside of it where the bulb is and cause a fire. I plan to turn it off during the day when there’s natural light outside and only have it on when it’s dark out.

    Also from reading the comments and questions by other people, I hope it’s safe to use it in the summer when it’s really hot and humid (even when it gets like that at night). I like to keep my windows open and don’t like air conditioning (I like the hot and humid weather we have in the summer).

    I hope to read a reply soon ~ Thanks.:~)

    1. Karen Avatar

      I have been feeling my lamp after it’s been on a few hours, and it gets HOT!! I bought a timer for the plug, so that the lamp will not stay on more than 2 hours. I googled for information, and it looks like the bulb/plug inside the lamp can indeed catch on fire. I assume my lamp was made in India or China or another country where they might not have strict manufacturing standards (or maybe I’m making that up; I’m not sure). I’m not willing risk the lamp melting down and catching my bookshelf on fire. I personally would not leave it on all night.

  17. Dee Avatar

    Ny salt lamp is on my nightstand my alarm clock iPhone & iPad are also on my nightstand is that cause a problem this is the first salt lamp and I was unable to read the instruction thanks for your help

  18. Kyla Avatar

    What are thoughts on using a humidifier and a salt lamp in the same room? We have cold, dry indoor winters and the humidifiers help in a lot of ways at night in our room as well as our kids. Would you just cover and turn off the salt lamp at night when the humidifier is on? Would you still reap the same benefits by just having the salt lamp on during the days when we are not in our rooms as much? Thanks!

    1. Marie Avatar

      I have the same question, is it ok to have the salt lamp and cool mist humidifier on at the same time?

  19. sarah Avatar

    I have read once that since these salt crystals are produced from lightening, radon and cosmic reactions in the earth’s crust that they emit radin into the air of your homes… Can you verify whether or not this is true?

  20. diana Avatar

    I am trying to find a Himalayan salt lamp that is real.
    I am on Amazon but they have several to choose from.
    Are all the ones on Amazon real?

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