Salt rock lamps can be found in almost any health food store or new age shop, touted to have calming effects and to produce negative ions that improve focus, boost mood, give people more energy, and clean the air.
Beautiful, Natural Salt Rock Lamps
Salt lamps are made from natural rock salt mined in the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan as well as in Russia, Poland and Iran. The salt may be orange, red, pink, white or violet, with stripes and variations in the color and texture making each salt lamp a one of a kind piece of natural art.
The salt may be cut and polished, or presented in raw, uncut form, but each lamp is hollowed out and fitted with a lightbulb or candle that shines through the salt rock, giving a warm, amber glow. Some of the most popular forms for natural salt lamps include:
- uncut or "natural" rock form
- spheres
- egg or ovoid shapes
- bowls
- pyramids
Natural Salt Lamps Good for Health
Salt lamps are touted as being good for your health – and not only because their glow casts a soothing, meditative ambiance on any space. Natural salt lamps produce charged particles known as negative ions and these ions counter the positive ions put out by computers, the TV, and other machines that create electromagnetic frequencies.
Negative ions may also clean the air by reducing the allergens such as dust and microbes that are airborne. Negative ions have been studied for their remarkable ability to improve concentration, uplift mood and even combat depression. How and why these particles are so effective is not completely understood.
Negative ions are present in nature, especially around moving air and water, but they are usually badly needed in homes and other indoor spaces where positive ions collect. Salt lamps produce negative ions when heat from the candle or lightbulb inside interacts with the salt crystal.
Price Range and Where to Find Natural Salt Lamps
Salt lamps of varying sizes can be found in most health food stores, new age bookshops, at conferences and even in some home décor warehouses. They can also be ordered online. Prices tend to range from about $25 and up depending on the lamp's size.
Caring for Your Salt Lamp
Salt lamps are relatively low-maintenance, with one exception: they dissolve in the presence of water. For this reason, it's a good idea to keep your salt lamp away from humidifiers, showers, and other humid places or it may begin to dissolve, depositing salt around its base.
Keeping the lamp turned on most of the time will prevent water damage from normal low levels of humidity. If a salt lamp will be sitting unused for any length of time, cover it with a plastic bag or other cover to prevent damage.
The salt lamp will accumulate some dust. Cleaning can be carefully done with a dry or a slightly damp cloth if the lamp is turned on immediately after, but avoid excess moisture.
Reference
Harmon, Jane, "What is a Salt Lamp?" WiseGeek.com, 2009.
T-Zone International, "Mountain Gold Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamp," T-ZoneHealth.com, 2003.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
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