The benefits of Himalayan Sea Salt have been known for years — we can bathe in sea salt, cook with sea salt and cleanse ourselves with it, but what about a Himalayan Salt Lamp that helps you feel better at home? If you’re not new to holistic living, you may already be aware of the benefits of salt lamps or perhaps even own one.
We were thrilled when the folks at Om Gallery who have a physical store in Santa Cruz, sent us a salt lamp to test out. The difference between the one we got in and the more traditional salt lamps you may have seen is that this one is a 10 inch fire bowl, so circular in shape and ever so glowing. Beautiful right?
We think so. That said, the benefits of having them in your home extends far beyond aesthetics.
Salt lamps emit negative ions, which work like natural ionizers keeping the air clean. Negative ions attach themselves to dust, pollen, mold, fungus and odors. This obvious benefit is that it is useful for those who have allergies or want to ramp up their respiratory health. Better breathing means you feel better on a regular basis. I find that it also boosts my mood when I have them lit.
Salt lamps are also known to minimize the effect of positive ions from EMF’s and electronic devices. BTW, if you don’t think EMF’s are real, check out one of several articles we have on our site.
A more traditional Himalayan Salt Lamp, which Om Gallery also offers in several sizes
We are very aware of the negative impact of EMF’s and applaud products like salt lamps and gemstones like hematite and black tourmaline which are great absorbers of these unhealthy emissions.
We have a couple of traditional salt lamps in our home office and find that the calming glow of the light is very soothing and relaxing throughout the day. It can also be rejuvenating.
For maximum benefits, they suggest to leave your salt lamp on as much as possible because salt is hygroscopic and will absorb moisture and liquid. The heat from the 15-watt bulb is warm enough to evaporate the moisture and this process is how the negative ions are released into the air.
The above photo is a more traditional Himalayan salt lamp, and Om Gallery offers this style as well as offerings in bowls, as a sphere or a tear drop.
What I love about the bowl we got in is that since this shape is a little different than the traditional lamps we’re more accustomed to, it has an alluring yet relaxing and meditative quality to its glow. It is so soothing on the system, at least for me.
In order to get the most benefits out of your salt lamp, you really should keep it where you spend a lot of time, such as the living room or bedroom. I’d argue that you should get a larger one for your office at home and at work, and place it near your computer and other electronic devices.
If your lamp is not on, it is not acting as an air ionizer and giving off the negative ions. Those of you who aren’t deep sleepers are probably wondering: what if I want the benefits of a Himalayan salt lamp while I sleep but the light will be too distracting and keep me up all night?
If that’s you, simply your light off before you go to bed, but turn it back on in the morning so it can work to clean the air and balance the ions all day long.
Other Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits?
The main benefits of the Himalayan Salt Lamp are to clean the air and balance those ions so you’re working, playing and breathing in a healthier environment.
That said, the properties of natural crystal salt and its benefits have many other qualities. Crystal salt was formed millions of years ago in the Himalayan region and after oceans of old evaporated, the magic of Himalayan crystal salt remained.
Over millions of years, the Himalayan crystal rock (or Himalayan crystal salt) as it is mostly known, emerged. Great for ridding toxins, magical sea salts contain all 84 natural minerals and elements for your health.
What else is Himalayan Crystal Salts known to be good for? The range of benefits I’ve seen from reading various sources include but are not limited to the following:
- Boost in serotonin levels, which can help to stabilize alpha rhythms
- Serenity boost – I feel this in my office all day with it turned on and nearby
- A couple of wellness practitioners I know tell me it has benefited patients they know who suffer from asthma and sinus issues.
- Headaches, allergies and hay fever.
- Has been said to boost your immune system which could help with those annual colds.
- Helps to regular the water content throughout your body.
- Helps to promote healthy pH balance in your cells.
- It has even been said that it can be useful for muscle cramps and your libido.
- Naturally helps to regulate your sleep.
Pink Himalayan salt contains up to 98 percent sodium chloride and the rest is made up of trace minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which is why the salt has the pink tint.
Note that we are not doctors or health practitioners, so we are not in any way suggesting that taking Himalayan sea salt will do everything on this list or solve or cure any medical condition, so please consult with your doctor before you embark upon any new path of exploration. Medical News Today offers tips on pros, cons and considerations.
What I can speak to is my experience using Himalayan crystal salt in cooking and Himalayan salt lamps in our day-to-day life. We use sea salt moderately on our cooking rather than traditional table salt and we have a Himalayan salt lamp in four out of our seven rooms. We’d like to see one shining out in our patio garden as well. Simply put, they are very relaxing.
We absolutely love the Om Gallery store, and if you happen to be in the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s worth a drive down Route 1 to hang out at the beach and grab dinner in Santa Cruz. See our restaurant review of Cafe Rio in Aptos, which is 20 or so minutes further down the coast.
If you don’t want to wait for that next west coast trip, you can order their latest and greatest offerings online. They have everything from teak furniture, lamps, candles and salt lamps to books, gemstones, Buddhas, wood carvings, purses, musical instruments and more.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
