Researched Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits, Myths & Warning

Nowadays, you won’t find a yoga studio without a Himalayan salt lamp lurking somewhere in the corner. Made of beautiful, pink crystals, these lamps emit a warm, dim light. But many claims go beyond their decorative value, saying that these lamps will clean your air, boost your mood, help you sleep, and more. Are any of these benefits backed by science? Read on to find out. It’s as simple as it sounds: place a light bulb inside chunks of Himalayan salt rocks, and you’ve got yourself a Himalayan salt lamp. They’re easy to spot, can be carved into different shapes, and emanate a warm, pinkish glow. Himalayan salt is obtained from one of the oldest salt mines in the world, located near the Himalayas (Khewra Salt Mine, Pakistan). It’s mainly composed of sodium chloride – just like regular table salt – but is higher in trace elements such as magnesium , potassium , calcium , and iron . These are responsible for its pink color [ 1 +]. Many people buy Himalayan salt lamps simply because they look good and their dim light feels soothing. But these lamps are often advertised as having many health benefits such as: Improving air quality Improving asthma and respiratory conditions Boosting mood Curbing anxiety Promoting sleep Preventing infectious diseases We’ll take a deep dive into all the alleged benefits to uncover which (if any) have scientific ground. But let’s start with the basics… Proponents of their health benefits claim that Himalayan salt lamps act via two main mechanisms: hygroscopicity and ion generation. Hygroscopicity may sound complicated, but it’s easy to grasp. Back in the 18th century, devices called hygroscopes were used to measure humidity (hydro=water, scopy=viewing). These are no longer in use, but the word “hygroscopic” remained. It simply means “the ability to […]

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