What Are The Salt Lamp Benefits and Why You Should Have One

Himalayan Salt Rock Lamps continue to gain widespread popularity. There are many skeptics and many positive testimonies surrounding the possible benefits of salt lamps.

Contrary to being known as “Himalayan Salt Lamps,” the rocks for these lamps are sourced from ancient evaporated oceans that lay under the mountains of the Punjab Region in Pakistan. We will delve right into many of the controversial benefits and other interesting facts about salt rock lamps.

The Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps are as follows:

Creates a peaceful, cozy, and warm ambiance
Purification of the air
Improved physical health and wellbeing
Relaxation and stress relief
Insomnia relief and improved quality of sleep
Spiritual and metaphysical benefits of Halite crystal

These valuable Himalayan Salt Lamps benefits are why you may be considering purchasing one.

What Is Himalayan Salt Lamps?

Himalayan Salt lamp placed on a small table beside a bed inside a bedroom

A salt rock lamp is mined and carved from naturally occurring Himalayan Rock Salt, also known as Halite Crystal. Halite Crystals form in a range of colors, including white, pink, orange, red, and black. The color of Himalayan Salt depends on the number of specific trace minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, chromium, and sulfate, found within the salt.

Pink, Orange, and Red Halite, or Himalayan Rock Salt, are most commonly used to make salt lamps. Even though Himalayan Salt is only mined in one place on earth, it is available in the largest quantities of pink, orange, and red salt. These natural salt colors of the lamps create desirable and beneficial warm lighting.

Larger Himalayan Salt pieces are selected and cut to make lamps. Most salt lamps are left close to the original natural formation shape. Some pieces of salt rock are smoothed into simple 3D geometric shapes or carved with more intricate designs. Salt lamps are usually fitted with a wooden base and hollowed out or drilled in the center to house an incandescent (electrical heat-driven) light bulb.

What Does Salt Lamp do?

Salt rock lamps are intended to provide warm, ambient light, as well as many healing and wellness benefits that we will discuss in detail in the next section of this article.

Himalayan Salt Lamps are most often used within homes, spas, and wellness or healing centers. These lamps do require some commitment, as once they have been unboxed, they need to be kept in a dry environment and preferably with the light switched on constantly to prevent the salt from absorbing too much water and sweating.

Despite the care requirements of owning these lamps, they are still in demand, and many individuals and alternative wellness practitioners advocate for the benefits of salt lamps.

6 Himalayan Salt Lamps Benefits

Himalayan salt lamp placed on bed with a blurry woman reading a book on the background

The positive effects of these salt rock lamps have been experienced by people all over the world, yet there is still a mainstream online narrative that disputes many of the benefits of salt lamps.

Regardless of the polarized views, there is still an increasing interest and demand for Himalayan Salt Lamps, Himalayan Salt, and products containing this salt. So, let us get into the possible benefits of being near one of these salt lamps.

Creates a Cozy and Warm Ambiance

The first and most obvious benefit of a salt lamp is that the warming pink, orange, and red glows that salt lamps emit transform the ambiance of a space. The warmly colored light from a salt rock lamp can immediately create a more positive, cozy, and homely atmosphere.

Warm light is well known to be suited for use in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and healing therapy rooms. It is much less harsh on the eyes and can gently conceal imperfections. Warm light, filtering through the natural color pallet and details of the Himalayan Salt Rock creates an ambiance of peace and comfort.

Cleanses the Air

Many people claim that Himalayan Salt Lamps can help purify the air, removing particles, such as dust, smoke, pollen, mold, and other pollutants, from the air surrounding the lamp.

The salt rock lamps are said to work through the process known as hygroscopy. This is the ability to attract and absorb water molecules from the surrounding environment. Himalayan Salt Lamps absorb water molecules that have particles or pollutants suspended within them. These particles, suspended in water, are absorbed from the air and trapped in the salt when the water evaporates.

Improved Health and Wellbeing

The hygroscopic air cleaning benefit of the salt lamp is said to lead to health benefits, such as asthma relief, allergy relief, and better air quality. Another key way that these lamps are said to benefit our physical health is through negative ionization.

We are surrounded by positive ions, emitted from technology and harmful chemicals, that are detrimental to our health. Negative ions are molecules that are charged in a way that benefits our bodies. Himalayan Salt Lamps are thought to release a small amount of these negatively charged ions during the hygroscopic process of water absorption and evaporation.

Salt lamps are also said to have numerous other health benefits, including increasing antimicrobial activity, antioxidant and alkalizing effects, improving cell health, and cognitive performance due to the negative ions that they emit.

Relaxation and Stress Relief

a woman sleeping on her bed while her Himalayan salt lamp is on placed on her bed side table

Himalayan Salt Lamps are well known to have relaxation and stress relief benefits. They are effective at this for many reasons, including the benefits of warm light and chromotherapy.

Chromotherapy, or color therapy, is the use of colored light to rebalance various energetic, mental, and physical aspects. In color therapy, red light has the benefit of grounding and replenishing, pink light can inspire lightness and hope, and orange light inspires emotional balance.

The warmly colored light of salt rock lamps can be used as a form of color therapy for stress relief and relaxation. It is effective at this due to the release of negative ions, which are known to relieve symptoms of depression and stress.

Improved Quality of Sleep

Another benefit of salt rock lamps is that you can enjoy an improved quality of sleep. These lamps can naturally assist with insomnia and restlessness due to the soothing, warm light and beneficial negative ions.

The soft, warm light can be a contrast and remedy to the harsh blue light that we are constantly exposed to with the use of electronic screens. Blue light can have detrimental effects on our sleep patterns, as it sends a cue to our brains that hinders the production of melatonin, which is essential for proper sleep.

Staying away from blue light after sunset and using only warm and muted light sources, such as a Himalayan Salt Lamp after dark, allow our bodies to have an experience of light that is closest to the natural light cycle. This helps us to recreate a naturally deep and restful sleep cycle.

Spiritual Benefits of Pink Halite

The energetic vibration of Pink Halite, which we know as Pink Himalayan Salt offers metaphysical and physical benefits. Simply having this crystal in your home, in the form of a lamp, and sleeping next to, meditating with, and appreciating Pink Halite can be of benefit.

Pink Halite is a stone that can be used for purification and cleansing. It is particularly useful for cleansing the heart of fear and hurt. This crystal is also deeply grounding, and it can help to bring a sense of stability to your life and your home or workspace.

Himalayan Pink Salt Rock is a great stone for aligning with a higher vibration of love and clarity.

Salt Lamp Alternative

There are not many salt rock lamp alternatives that give us almost the same results as a real Himalayan Salt Lamp, though there are some alternatives that have similar effects.

Rose Quartz Crystal Lamp

a rose quartz crystal shaped like a heart placed on a beach sand

One alternative that has the same aesthetic, coloration, and similar metaphysical benefits is a Rose Quartz Lamp. The pink color of a Rose Quartz crystal lamp gives off warm lighting that is very similar to a Himalayan Salt Lamp.

Rose Quartz Crystal Lamps are a good choice if you want to avoid moisture prevention and care that is involved in owning a salt rock lamp. As Rose Quartz Lamps do not attract moisture like salt lamps do they also do not offer the benefits that are reaped from the hygroscopic process.

Selenite Crystal Lamp

Selenite Lamps are stunningly beautiful. The natural striation formations and lustrous opaque white of this crystal look simply angelic and stately in lamp form.

Even though a Selenite Crystal Lamp does not offer the hygroscopic and negative ion benefits of a Himalayan Salt Lamp, it offers all the benefits of a large selenite crystal. Some of the metaphysical properties of this crystal include aura cleansing, harmony, peace, and protection.

A Selenite Crystal Lamp can also provide a warming glow, provided you use a warm light globe.

Agate Crystal Lamp

Agate Crystal lamps are truly statement pieces, and each lamp is unique. These lamps will not offer the negative ions or hygroscopic benefits of a salt rock lamp, but they strongly radiate the vibration of Agate Crystal.

Agate is a geode crystal available in many colors, and this makes it visually intriguing in Iamp form. This crystal lamp would be energetically grounding, stable, and soothing. These crystals are known to improve focus and bring balance to the mind, body, and spirit.

FAQ

What are salt lamps good for?

Salt lamps are good for a range of physical and mental health needs. They can help with anxiety, depression, insomnia, asthma, allergies, and more. Many benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps are effective through the processes of hygroscopy and negative ionization.

Salt lamps also offer metaphysical benefits, such as energetic grounding, stability, and purification. The effects can be accessed by attuning to the energy of Pink Halite Crystal, also called Himalayan Salt Rock.

What is a real Himalayan Salt Lamp?

A real Himalayan Salt Lamp is crafted from salt that is sourced from the only Himalayan Rock Salt mine – the Khewra Salt Mine in the Salt Range Mountains in the Punjab region of Pakistan.

The mine has many levels above and below ground, and the area has an abundance of rock salt (estimated at more than 6 billion tons). The Khewra Mine has become a popular tourist attraction. Some of the salt is processed and crafted into lamps locally, and much of the salt is imported. Real Himalayan Salt Lamps are available all over the world.

Where can I find a salt rock lamp?

You can look for salt rock lamps in your local crystal shops, wellness centers, and natural health stores. You can also find these lamps on various popular ecommerce platforms and websites. A quick and clear Google search should bring up many relevant walk-in and online stores that stock these lamps.

How to take care of and properly store a salt lamp?

Keep your Himalayan Salt Lamp in a dry environment and gently pat the lamp dry if it gets wet. As far as possible, keep the incandescent globe switched on at all times, as this will keep the lamp warm and continue the processes of a water attraction, absorption, and evaporation that are part of the lamp’s function.

If you need to turn the lamp off for an extended period, be sure to remove the globe and light fitting (if possible), as this will prevent possible moisture damage to the electric components. To store or transport the lamp, you can wrap the salt part in layers of brown paper and keep it separate from the electrical components.

How to make a salt rock lamp?

To make a salt rock lamp, you will need to source a larger high quality piece of Himalayan Salt, manual or electric cutting and carving tools, and a solid wooden base to mount the salt piece. You will also need an incandescent globe with a light fitting wired with a light switch.

Be sure to measure and check that your fitting and globe are the suitable size so they can fit into the carved lamp and wooden base accordingly. Be mindful of safety, so please wear a mask when you are cutting, carving, or drilling the salt rock, as it can create a lot of fine salty dust.