Himalayan Salt: the lamp, the lie & the legend

Himalayan salt lamps are a beautiful, aesthetic addition to any room in your home and supposedly, they hold some interesting health properties too.

A few years ago, I was desperate to get my hands on one for my bedroom. I found them fascinating and I love all things mysterious and magical. I almost bought one at a Christmas market, but couldn’t justify the expense (after buying so many gifts for my loved ones!) and then I met my oldest friend for a drink and to swap gifts and BAM! She’d bought me a Himalayan Salt lamp! I was blown away by the intuitive nature of her gift and it has sat pride of place on my bedside table ever since.

Recently, I started researching to learn more about these intriguing objects and I was fascinated by what I learnt. There may not be a lot (if any) scientific value behind the benefits of salt lamps, but the theory is there. I was also surprised to learn there are a lot of fakes out there and I looked sadly upon my lamp wondering if it was the real deal or if my friend had been duped.

So, here’s a brief look into the proposed benefits of these lamps and how it all works and a little advice on how to realise if your lamp is legitimate or a lie.

Air Purification

Himalayan Salt lamps are potentially hygroscopic. This means it dries out water vapour (attracted by the heat of the lamp) leaving particles attached to the salt. This suggests that the lamp can purify the air of the room, trapping indoor air pollutants (allergens, mould, and bacteria) and therefore reducing the symptoms of allergies.

Here’s where it gets technical. When the salt attracts the water, and the heat from the lamp evaporates the water, this creates negative ions. Negative ions may protect against germs in the air and decrease irritation such as coughing and sneezing. Which is why Himalayan salt lamps are connected to the easing of coughing and lowering of asthma symptoms. Himalayan salt inhalers are also available for this reason.

Stress Busting Benefits

It’s also suggested that these lamps may help regulate sleep and help relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder. This could be due to the calming, low light emitted. The soft, orange hue is warm, soothing and therapeutic. Thus, creating a calming environment that can also increase focus.

Consequently, this can improve someone’s mood and concentration with the visually appealing nature of the lamp opening blocked energy. Ready for a bit more chemistry?

Negative ions (which are supposedly created by the hygroscopic nature of the lamp) increase the flow of oxygen to the brain. This results in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness and more mental energy. Negative ions are also believed to produce beneficial biochemical reactions in the bloodstream and subsequently increase serotonin levels. Hence Himalayan Salt lamps have been linked to decreasing stress and anxiety by emitting an uplifting positive charge of energy.

Electromagnetic Protection

There’s a growing concern about how technology is affecting our day to day life, with so many people spending most of their day surrounded by screens. Computers, televisions and phones emit positive ions and possible low levels of electromagnetic radiation. Negative ions pair up with these positive ions and neutralise; purifying and cleansing the air. Harking back to the belief that Himalayan Salt lamps produce negative ions, many feel the presence of a lamp in a room that contains multiple technology outputs can help lower the static electricity in the air and neutralise electromagnetic radiation.

It must be noted that Himalayan Salt lamps may produce a small amount of negative ions, if consistently used over time, but the best places to find large amounts of negative ions is near water such as the beach or waterfalls (that’s why the air smells so ‘fresh’ and you feel invigorated after a day at the seaside) or during lightning storms.

How to spot a fake     

1. If the lamp is super heavy but super bright, chances are this is a phony.
   
   
2. If it’s extremely durable. Himalayan salt is renowned for being delicate and easily broken. So if the lamp looks like it could last a fall, think again.
   
   
3. If it handles moisture well. As previously mentioned, if the lamp is hygroscopic, the heat from the lamp should evaporate water, not hold onto it.
   
   
4. Check the country of origin. Himalayan salt is mined from the Punjab region of modern Pakistan; if the salt isn’t from there, it’s a dud.
   
   
5. If it’s cheap and looks white. White salt lamps are rare, so if it’s being offered at a bargain price, chances are it’s not the real deal. Price can depend on size and weight. A small lamp could start at £13 but a larger lamp could be up to £40 or more. Himalayan salt should also have a pinkish colouring.
   
   
6. There’s a poor or non-existent return policy. Like I said, they’re delicate beings and can easily break during transit so a return policy should be expected. If there isn’t one or it’s of poor quality, consider purchasing your lamp from somewhere else. 

Tips for owning a Himalayan Salt lamp

• Choose a lamp that reflects the size of the room. To maximise its potential properties, the bigger the room, the bigger the lamp.
• Air pollutant particles will stick to the salt. To prevent it from clogging up, wipe down your lamp every few weeks.
• When purchasing, look for a rough surface. The rougher the surface, the higher hygroscopic potential and therefore the better the benefits.
• Use the right bulb. It’s the heat emitted through the lamp that evaporates the water to create negative ions, so you’ll need to use a heat-producing bulb.

Once I’d concluded my research, I was still left mesmerised and unsure of how beneficial Himalayan Salt lamps are to the air around us and how much they can do to protect us from the technology we’re surrounded by. However, I personally feel something is better than nothing. My lamp is still beautiful, and I love the warm low light it emits in the evenings as I settle into sleep. One thing’s for sure, I will certainly be spending more time by the sea and visiting waterfalls to breathe in that fresh air full of negative ions!