advice: don't expect healing from your himalayan salt lamp
salt lamps are little more than a way to cast a romantic glow to a room.
2 minute read
himalayan salt lamps are pretty, but don't expect magic. stock/getty
dear asking for a friend,
don’t laugh, but i have a himalayan salt lamp. i bought it years ago from a natural health store. i truly just liked the way it looked and i found the orange glow so calming. but i also liked the claims that when warm, the salt absorbs things like the radiation from electronics, and negative energy in my bedroom. it also is supposed to help with sleep. by the way, i did do a little research and though it sounded a bit far-out, i was intrigued enough to give it a try. except that now my new girlfriend makes fun of me incessantly, saying that i wasted my money and that it’s a hoax. between you and i, i don’t notice a difference in how i am sleeping. wondering if you can shed some light on this.
signed, in the dark
dear in the dark,
your girlfriend might be on to something. there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that a himalayan salt lamp can purify air, boost your mood, or help you sleep better. much like a candle, this lamp produces an attractive and soothing amber glow in the room when lit, but beyond that, don’t expect it to detoxify your home, relieve depression, or cure your insomnia.
it is widely believed that because these lamps are made from salt crystals mined in pakistan and india, they have the ability to trap allergens from the air and generate negative ions — the same molecules that we inhale when we’re near a mountain, waterfall or beach. these negative ions are known to trigger a biochemical reaction in our bloodstream, increase serotonin, relieve stress, boost our immune system and our overall feeling of wellness.
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a simple google search will tell you that according to some experts, a salt lamp does not produce significant amounts of negative ions — certainly nowhere near the amounts present in the environment of a mountain, waterfall or a beach — nor is it powerful enough to destroy or reduce airborne infections. you’d have to use an industrial air ionizer to purify the air in your home.
and while many people believe that salt lamps are a natural way to get rid of toxins in your home, according to eric morrissette, chief of media relations for health canada, it “has not received any applications for himalayan salt lamps and as such has not reviewed any evidence related to their efficacy.”
for those who struggle with allergies, asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory issues, the best way to improve indoor air quality is to invest in an air purification system. it seems that houseplants don’t really soak up airborne toxins either, but opening windows once a day can help circulate fresh air into your living space. if you’re struggling with insomnia, you might want to limit screen time and avoid heavy meals before bed. exercise, meditation and over-the-counter remedies can also help.
is there something about health that you (or a friend, wink, wink) have always wondered about, but are too embarrassed to ask? send a note to info@healthing.ca. we promise your ‘friend’s’ secret – and identity – is safe with us.
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