The Benefits of Crystal Lamps

Salt crystal lamps are created from salt crystal rocks. These rocks were formed millions of years ago and are found deep underground in the Himalayas. The mining for these crystals is done without the use of explosives or other damage-causing methods so that the unique and beneficial structure of the crystals remains intact. Salt crystal lamps are made by hand in order to preserve the shape of the rock in its raw form. Crystal lamps come in a wide range of natural colors and some people believe they offer many benefits to the human body.

Function

Our present environment is filled with electronic conveniences that are supposed to make life easier. The problem is that many of those conveniences, like computers, air conditioners and cell phones, release positively charged ions into the air that carry dust, mold, pollen, dander and other contaminants. Salt crystal lamps function by releasing negatively charged ions when the crystals are warmed, which disarms or counteracts the positive ions and renders them inert, creating a sense of well-being.

Negative Ions

As far back as the 1960s, scientists were studying the effects of ionization. Dr. Albert Krueger of California discovered that even a small amount of negative ions in the air removed bacteria that may cause influenza, respiratory infections and the common cold. A 1998 study by Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute revealed that bright light therapy and high-density negative air ionization lessened depression symptoms in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mood disorders.

Color Wavelengths

It's been reported that scientists believe exposure to specific color wavelengths provide therapeutic effects. The red, orange, and rose spectrums are believed to provide the greatest benefits because that color range is similar to the resonance frequency present in healthy cell tissue. Salt crystals and crystal lamps appear to have the same wavelengths, which would naturally provide the same benefits. Despite these claims, no definitive scientific study has been conducted with salt crystal lamps.

Extended Benefits

Manufacturers and loyal users of salt crystal lamps believe that their benefits extend beyond those that have been studied scientifically. While it's been proven that people respond well to a proportion of two negative ions to one positive ion, our polluted environment makes it hard to achieve such a ratio. Salt crystal lamps can replicate that environment within personal spaces and provide relief for stress, migraine headaches, asthma attacks and a low immune system.

General Well-Being

Probably the greatest and most obvious benefit of using salt crystal lamps is the overall improvement to human well-being. The negative ions in salt crystals are similar to those that fill the air with freshness after a thunderstorm or at the top of a mountain, which may be the reason people seek out such a setting for holidays and vacations. More research is necessary, but it seems that crystal salt lamps improve the health and well-being of people.

Resources

• Benefits of Salt Crystal Lamps
• Himalayan Salt Lamps