Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits and Real Vs Fake Salt Lamps

Apart from having multiple benefits, it is essential to understand that these are different from regular salt in their composition as well as mining. It holds the same property of salt, being hygroscopic, which means it attracts water molecules.

Benefits of the Himalayan Salt Lamp

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1. Hygroscopic nature

Since the salt is hygroscopic, it attracts a lot of moisture from its surroundings, as a result of which, the dirt, smoke, and other allergens get purified around it. When heated, the salt lamp keeps the air around it clean, which is why the lamp too needs to be cleaned from time to time. This mostly helps individuals who have respiratory problems like asthma. When the surrounding air is clean and free of pathogens and dirt, breathing becomes easier and is automatically beneficial for our health.

2. Negative Ion source

The salt lamp is an excellent source of negative ions, and negative ions have a lot of benefits for our body and well being. It helps in higher oxygen flow to your brain, it keeps away irritants from the air and keeps you refreshed. This gives the same effect if you spend a lot of time in nature. However, the negative ion which is released by the lamp is in minimal amount. Hence one lamp may not be sufficient for an entire house. The negative ions released also helps in increased secretion of serotonin, better blood flow, and overall well-being.

3. Source of Light

Being a lamp, it apparently gives off the glow. The Himalayan Salt Lamp gives off a very subtle dim glow which is very soothing to the eye and the soul. It helps in lighting up any dull and mundane corner of your house- whether it is your living room, bedroom or your kitchen. It has also been proved that it helps in better sleep when compared to blue light, as the radiance is much more soothing.

4. Mood upliftment

The Himalayan Salt Lamp gives off a wonderful orange and pink glow, and along with that it also releases negative ions, which is proved to be responsible for uplifting your mood. Over-all it boosts the healthy lifestyle of an individual. It also combats allergies, hence adding to another reason for uplifting your mood. It helps mainly for people who suffer from SAD or seasonal depression syndrome.

5. Neutralizes electromagnetic radiation

This is the radiation which is emitted by all the electronics in the house and creates a lot of static energy around it. It leads to increased amount of stress, loss of concentration, fatigue, proneness to cancer, and reduces the body's immune response in the long run. The negative ions of the lamp can help in neutralizing this radiation, but only to an extent.

6. Aesthetic

Apart from all the health benefits of the salt lamp, it is also very aesthetic. It automatically adds to the décor of the house and helps in bringing out the colors. The lamp being of different shapes and sizes could also be placed anywhere around the house and is a great addition to your knick-knacks.

Photo Courtesy of Annie Tarasova

Real vs Fake Himalayan Salt Lamps

With variants of the Himalayan Salt Lamp in the market, it is very difficult to differentiate between the real and the fake product. Real Himalayan Salt Lamps have some distinctive features which differentiate them from the fake ones, and it is wise to research thoroughly before making a purchase. From the size or the color and the effects it has- below is a guide as to how to choose the best real lamp for your home.

1. Color

Usually, the real Himalayan Salt Lamp has a darker color. The color is typically a combination of pink and orange. 100% authentic Himalayan Salt Lamps are usually specified, and this should be checked before making a purchase. Fake Himalayan Salt Lamp would have a distinctive color, different from the real one, like the light pink ones with black spots. They would have other salts and chemicals admixed with it. So make sure to check the ingredients.

2. Size

Usually, a good lamp would be a little large and bulky, as the lighter versions not only have the possibility of being fake but also does not impart the benefits of the salt lamp. The larger the lamp, the better is its cleansing property. It should also be kept in mind that you cannot place a tiny salt lamp in a large room and expect to feel its benefits. The size of the room is also a determining factor to differentiate between a real and fake lamp.

3. Surface texture

A rough surface is one of the indications for checking the quality of the product. Roughly surfaced lamps not only look good, but they also have the better quality of air purification and neutralization. A polished lamp has a lesser surface area, hence smaller benefits.

4. Bulb type

The type of bulb used for the lamp should be checked before purchasing it. Only when a heat producing bulb is used, the salt lamp would work and impart its soothing effects. An LED bulb does not work. The wattage of the bulb should be steady, depending on the size of the lamp. Anything which would not produce enough heat is possibly fake. Also, it is not supposed to illuminate the room; it only provides a light glow.

5. Flexible return policies

Since these lamps are made of salt and a bulb, the possibility of it breaking is very high. The guarantee period offered with the lamp, along with the return policy tells a lot about the genuineness of the product. It is a definite point to consider before making a purchase.

6. Durability

You cannot expect that your salt lamp would accidentally hit the floor and not break. If that happens, it is quite obviousit is a fake. It is salt! It is supposed to shatter.

White Himalayan lamp

Yes, they do exist. However, the real ones are costly, so a low priced one is a definitive fake. The white Himalayan salt lamps are way better in quality than the pink ones and can never be cheaper.

7. Origin

The salt is rumored to be mined from parts of India and Khewra, Pakistan, so it is essential to check on the origin before making the purchase. There are various products which are sold off by the same name, hence being scammed is very common.

8. Non-benefitting

If you owned the salt lamp for a very long time, you spent almost every day in the same room with it, and yet you haven’t experienced any of its benefits, you probably have been scammed! The salt lamp should not be moisture resistant, and nor should it make you feel like there is no calming effect. The lamp is supposed to ease you down, reduce stress and also benefit your health when used in the right size.

9. Check for yourself

If you are highly doubtful of the quality of the Himalayan Salt Lamp you just purchased, you could test it for yourself. Since it is salt, it is mean to melt under water. If you try and wash the Himalayan salt lamp, under hot water essentially, the size of the lamp will change. The lamp will start to melt. If running under the water leads to no changes to the lamp, it is a fake and should immediately be returned.

10. Perspire

Following the theory of hygroscopy, the slat lamp is supposed to sweat and release moisture because it is hygroscopic. If it is dry when exposed to moisture, it is undoubtedly a fake!

11. Oddly cheap

If the lamp is sold at an odd and reasonable price, it is mostly not real. The Himalayan salt is a mineral which is difficult to mine, and it could not possibly be coming at a low price.

12. Read-up

It is highly advisable to read through reviews of all the customers, good or bad, before purchasing the salt lamp. The reviews say a lot about the product and how real it is and thus help in the long run.

These are some of the benefits as well as tips to know the real deal from the fake and while it is an investment, the salt lamps are perfect for the overall health and well-being of an individual and surely are worth the hype!