Himalayan salt is  mined from the Indo Gangetic Plain. It comes from a large crystal and is carved into shape to hold a lightbulb inside. A candle will work too!

To understand the idea behind the benefits of a Himalayan salt lamp, you need to understand the science behind the ionization of our airborne environment. Positive and negative ions are in our air and the balance of ions in your living space can affect the air quality.

Positive ions are those which have lost an electron and gained positive charge. They are often caused by our electronic devices and are commonly said to promote stressful and anxious feelings and to pose many health problems.

To balance these positive ions requires negative ions. The more negative ions that exist in your air, the more refreshing, peaceful, and invigorating your space will be. Many claim that being in an environment full of negatively charged ions leads to health benefits and better overall well- being. Situations where negative ions are commonly found are after a thunderstorm and the areas around a lively waterfall.

Where does a Himalayan salt lamp come into play? Good question. We have to go back to our high school science class to understand.

A “hygroscopic” process occurs when a Himalayan salt lamp is used in your home. The heat source within the lamp drives this process which results in the attraction of moisture, humidity, and airborne water particles in the air. Evaporation produces negative ions, and the attraction of these water molecules paired up with this resulting evaporation makes for a very negative-ion inducing effect.

While there are other methods of removing positively charged ions like “grounding,” Himalayan salt lamps provide a fairly affordable, very pleasant, and even chic way to solve this problem and balance out your environment.

What is nice about using a candle or two is that it will heat the salt, providing warmth for your hands, as well as providing light. The rocks give off a natural reddish hue but can be colored another tint if desired.

For more information please go to Home and Gardening Ideas. Sometimes an electrical outlet just is not needed.  Give a Himalayan salt lamp a try!