There is one product I will not go without in my home – Himalayan Salt Lamps! People use salt crystal lamps for a number of different reasons; Their soothing, pink glow can stimulate deep relaxation. They make an attractive and organic-feeling addition to home décor, creating a more balanced and mindful space. For these purposes alone salt lamps make a welcome addition to almost any home.
Salt is hygroscopic, which is a scientific word meaning that salt attracts water molecules from the surrounding environment.
Water molecules float around in every room in your home. However, water molecules aren’t the only invisible substance hiding all around you. Alongside these water molecules are dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens. Even bacteria and viruses can hitch a ride on these water molecules.
Himalayan salt lamps are made from pink salt crystals mined from the edge of the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan—the only place where you can acquire authentic Himalayan pink salt. However, the lamps themselves range in color from light pink to pink with an orange hue, depending on the mineral concentration. The pink Himalayan salt crystals are mined, then hollowed out and fitted with a bulb to provide both light and heat. Himalayan salt rock lamps also come in baskets of crystal salt blocks with a light underneath.
A large block of salt, like a pink Himalayan salt rock crystal, works by attracting the water molecules in your room. In so doing, it also pulls in all the pollutants and contaminants attached to these molecules. The salt rock lamp helps to detoxify your room by capturing and holding these particles so they aren’t left floating around for you to breathe in. Then, as the bulb heats the lamp, the water vapor is released back into the air, but the rock salt lamp retains the contaminants.
Along with the hygroscopic benefits, Himalayan natural salt lamps are also said to release negative ions into the surrounding environment. For those curious, negative ions are simply oxygen atoms with an extra electron.
These negative ions occur in nature via the effects of water, air, and sunlight. Have you ever gone for a hike through the mountains or near a waterfall only to feel rejuvenated? Negative ions are partly to thank for that wonderful feeling. Nature has the ability to heal, and proponents of Himalayan salt lamps argue these pink salt rocks can mimic, to an extent, the feeling you get from being outside.
All naturally occurring minerals contain trace amounts of heavy metals. These heavy metals, like lead, are found in the air, soil, and food. Only when lead concentrations reach high levels do they start to pose a threat to your health.
Because these metals can exist on salt particles, many worry salt lamps could pose a threat. While true that pink salt can contain these heavy metals, they do not contain enough to pose a health risk. Especially because they aren’t being ingested. So unless you plan on licking your Himalayan salt crystal lamp every day, you’ll be fine.
However, what does not pose a threat to humans can be harmful to your pets. Too much salt can be toxic to many kinds of animals, like cats and dogs, so it would be wise to keep Himalayan salt lamps out of the reach of any household pets who may want to sneak behind your back and have a taste when you aren’t looking.
In January of this year, Michael’s issued a recall on some of their salt lamps sold under the Lumière brand. Rest assured, the issue and recall had nothing to do with the Himalayan salt itself but reported hazards with the dimmer switch and plug. If you’re looking to purchase a lamp, talk to the retailer and make sure it has been assembled properly and that the piece you’re interested in was not included in the recall.
Lastly, be sure to purchase authentic Himalayan salt crystal lamps so you can get the full health benefits, but also avoid health concerns with artificial and counterfeit devices.
As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of salt lamps that range in color to style. Among the most common are lamps created by inserting a light source directly into a salt crystal or a basket of crystals with a light source underneath. In these cases, the differences are for the most part purely aesthetic, and your choice comes down to finding the right solution for your tastes and complementing the environment in your home.
That being said, one thing you will have to keep in mind is making sure you avoid purchasing a fake Himalayan salt crystal lamp. Most salt lamps emit a soft, warm glow. Be leery of lamps that give off too much light. Also, some crystal lamps are white. Himalayan white crystals do exist but are rare and expensive. So if you find a white crystal lamp and a low price, be cautious. Lastly, make sure the crystal was mined from Kewra, Pakistan, or elsewhere along the Himalayas—the only place where true Himalayan salt is found.
In Ingham, you can purchase these at either Vanessa’s Day Spa on 0400 741 267 or at Good Energy Massage & Health located beside Brumby’s on Herbert Street. Remember – shop locally! Your light bulbs may be sold by your retailer, or you can purchase them from Woolies or Coles etc. However – if you aren’t from here, any of the following websites have good reputations for the purchase of your salt lamps:
- The Himalayan Salt Factory – https://www.himalayansaltfactory.com.au/
- Earth Inspired Gifts – https://earthinspiredgifts.com.au/pages/best-place-to-buy-himalayan-salt-lamps
- ISHKA – https://ishka.com.au/collections/salt-lamps
There are so many health benefits when it comes to salt lamps, I personally love the light it sets off – I’m bold enough to say the one in the bedroom sets the mood if you know what I mean! But they are truly relaxing, especially at night. We have a salt lamp in our bathroom which was the first one I brought into the house and I have noticed the mould that would grow on the ceiling above the shower recess has reduced significantly. I then put one in the baby’s room, our room & the spare room. After my net purchase I will be done – or so my husband thinks (insert evil laugh here).
Aquo Xx
