Himalayan Salt Lamps: 4 Surprising Benefits You Should Know About
Himalayan salt lamps are all the rave. They are beautiful and functional, offering a nice home décor option with a nice amber glow. Many people also find that salt lamp benefits their health and well-being.
Though the topic of Himalayan salt lamps and your health is underresearched, you will find anecdotal stories on the air-purifying, sleep-enhancing, relaxation-supporting, and mood-boosting salt lamp benefits.
What Are Salt Lamps?
Himalayan salt lamps are decorative lights carved from amber-colored rock salt that not only add a warm, inviting glow to your space but are also believed to offer purported health benefits. These benefits may include improved air quality, enhanced mood, better sleep, and a sense of relaxation. Each lamp is crafted by hollowing out a large chunk of salt crystal and placing a light bulb inside, creating a soft, natural light that many find both soothing and beautiful.
What’s Special About the Salt in Salt Lamps?
The salt rock is harvested in Pakistan from the Khewra Salt Mine, which is located in the Himalayan mountains. It is believed to be a salt source that is millions of years old and offers more benefits than table salt. Though it is similar to table salt and other salts, it also contains a mineral that provides a pink color and some believed health benefits.
How Do Himalayan Salt Lamps Work?
Salt lamps are claimed to be natural ionizers. Ions have an unbalanced number of electrons or protons, which means they carry a charge. They are found in nature, for example, storms, waterfalls, heat, waves, and natural radioactivity can all make air ions (1). Artificial air ionizers can also be made commercially.
Being a natural ionizer means salt lamps may be able to change the electrical charge of the circulating air around them. They may generate ions by drawing in water particles, which evaporate as a salt solution when the salt lamp is heated, primarily negative ions (2). Many people believe salt lamps help reduce the presence of positive ions, which are often associated with pollutants and allergens.
However, this is only a theory at this point and hasn’t been tested yet. We need further research to understand if Himalayan salt lamps can really create ions and if so, it is in meaningful amounts to make a real health difference.
Salt Lamp Benefits: Why Are Himalayan Salt Lamps Used
Himalayan salt lamps are increasingly popular as home décoration. Many people simply buy them because they like how they look or the pink light they provide. Others use it for the supposed Himalayan salt lamp benefits.
Salt Lamp Benefits
The potential benefits of salt lamps include:
- Improved air quality and the reduction of allergens, pollutants, and toxins in the air
- Respiratory health support
- Better sleep
- Reduced stress levels
- Improved mood and mental health
- Aesthetic appeal and home décor
Let’s get into these benefits of Himalayan salt lamps one by one.
Air Purification Properties
One of the major salt lamp benefits is their potential air purification properties. We are not saying you should stop using your indoor HEPA filter just yet, but having a salt lamp may offer an extra air-cleansing boost.
Potential Reduction Of Allergens And Pollutants
Salt lamps are commonly marketed as helpful options for those with allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues, including cystic fibrosis, thanks to their potential to improve air quality and reduce allergy symptoms. Many claim that Himalayan salt lamps may help to reduce potential allergens and other pathogens and pollutants in your indoor air. These claims are mostly based on halotherapy, an ancient therapeutic practice for people with chronic respiratory issues.
Halotherapy recommends people spend time in salt caves believing that the salt in the air may improve their lung and respiratory health. While a 2022 review published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine suggests that halotherapy may offer some benefits for respiratory health, we need more high-quality studies to completely understand if this is true and why it may be helpful (3).
Salt Lamps May Attract and Trap Airborne Particles
Some claim that Himalayan salt lamps may be able to attract and trap airborne particles. These claims suggest that salt lamps can attract water molecules that carry allergens, pollutants, and toxins and once the water molecule evaporates, it will leave behind their particles.
However, this claim brings up a few questions. We need more research on the air ionizing salt lamp benefits and its potential to trap airborne particles. Current research hasn’t found proof that the air ionizing affects would be quite enough to improve respiratory health (4, 5, 6). That being said, using a salt lamp can’t hurt your respiratory system and you will find many anecdotes from people who found respiratory salt lamp benefits.
Promoting Relaxation and Sleep
One of the most appreciated benefits of Himalayan salt lamps is their potential to promote relaxation and support better sleep. The warm, soft light emitted by these lamps creates a calming atmosphere, making them a popular choice for bedrooms and meditation spaces.
Many people believe this gentle glow can help ease stress, set the stage for restful evenings, and even assist those struggling with sleep disorders. While the science behind these claims is still evolving, the soothing ambiance these lamps provide is undeniable.
Warm Amber Light
Himalayan salt lamps offer a warm pink or amber light that may promote a feeling of calm. This may support relaxation and sleep. Replacing your electric lights with Himalayan salt lamps may help to promote sleepiness at the end of the day. Additionally, you may also add some other calming colors to your bedroom, such as cream, gray, or green. You may try some calming essential oils, such as lavender oil too.
Reduction in Blue Light Exposure
Research suggests that bright lights can reduce melatonin production which may interrupt sleep (7, 8). Using a calming light from a salt lamp may be a good idea instead. Blue light exposure in the evening can interrupt your circadian rhythms and interrupt your sleep. It may also affect your daytime performance, energy levels, and overall well-being (9).
Reducing your blue light exposure is critical for better sleep. Himalayan salt lamps don’t omit blue light, however, to truly experience these blue light-free salt lamp benefits, it’s important that you also reduce or avoid other blue light exposure, such as using your phone, laptop, or computer. You can also try wearing blue light-blocking glasses if you must use electronics in the evening.
Mood-Boosting Effects
Himalayan pink salt is often praised for its potential to enhance mood and support mental well-being. The soft light and warm glow create a peaceful ambiance that many find uplifting, especially during stressful or low-energy moments. Some people believe these lamps may help reduce stress and promote a positive outlook, making them a natural addition to spaces where relaxation and emotional balance are a priority.
Influencing Serotonin Levels
Himalayan salt lamps may have the potential to boost your mood. A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has found that high levels of negative ions in the air may help to increase serotonin levels (10). Improving serotonin can help to regulate and improve mood.
Another study suggests that while air ionization doesn’t show consistent mood benefits, in those with depressive symptoms, high levels of negative ions lead to an improved mood (11). However, we need more studies to understand the potential effects of air ionization on mood and specific studies on salt lamps and mood benefits.
Anecdotal Reports
Though there isn’t much scientific evidence, there are lots of anecdotal reports that claim that salt lamps improve their mood and reduce stress. We don’t know whether it is due to negative ions, the pink salt, the calming effects of the pink light, or a placebo. However, as we mentioned in the earlier section, amber light may help to reduce stress and improve sleep, which can have a positive effect on mood and mental health.
Enhancing Home décor
Finally, though this is a salt lamp benefit that’s not related to your health, Himalayan salt lamps are a great home décor option.
Aesthetic Appeal
Himalayan salt lamps certainly have an aesthetic appeal. They bring a warm and natural charm to your bedroom, living room, or other living spaces. They have a unique texture and look, which many find beautiful. They have a soft amber glow that offers a soothing and organic touch that looks beautiful in a wide range of interior styles and spaces. It appeals to people across ages and sexes.
Dual Functionality
Himalayan salt lamps also offer dual functionality as a décorative piece and ambient light source. They have a clear décorative appeal. But they also offer an ambient amber light source that can create a serene environment in your home. Though there is little scientific evidence on the topic, Himalayan salt lamps may offer air-cleansing, relaxation, sleep, and mood-boosting benefits as a bonus to their home décor effects.
Add a Touch of Calm and Wellness to Your Home And Experience Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits
While scientific evidence on salt lamp benefits is limited, many users find them helpful for creating a calming atmosphere. Whether for their aesthetic value or potential wellness effects, salt lamps can be a simple addition to a cozy, inviting home environment.
If you are looking for further advice on how to support your health and wellness, we recommend that you reach out to us. If you are dealing with chronic symptoms or complex health issues, our practitioners can help to find the root cause of your issues, address these underlying imbalances naturally, and regain your health and well-being. We invite you to set up an appointment with our office here.