Health Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt Lamps
Pink Himalayan salt is a salt made from minerals found in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. The term" Himalayan" has sometimes been used in place of "mine-made". It is not actually mined from the Himalayan mountains, but rather from numerous deposits found in Pakistan and neighboring countries. Historically, Himalayan pink salt was used by Indian healers for treating various disorders. Today it is used as an alternative healing treatment, believed to help with fatigue, high blood pressure, arthritis, eczema, skin problems, and other ailments.
Pink Himalayan salt is mined primarily from the Punjab area of Pakistan. The salt, which typically has a slightly pinkish tone due to a number of naturally occurring volcanic minerals, is primarily employed as a food seasoning to substitute refined table salt, though it is also used frequently for food presentation and cosmetic lamps. It is often said that Himalayan salt was the first food seasoning ever used by man. The name comes from a Hindi word that means "to move in the Himalayan direction". The deposits in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains are billions of years old, making them rich in both the earth's water supply and its nutrients. As such, they are extremely salty and considered ideal for high-end fine foods and cooking.
The word "kosher salt" refers to table salt that is used in the Jewish diet. All salts used in the Jewish diet must meet strict dietary guidelines, so this salt is one of the most expensive among all varieties of salt available on the market. Kosher salt contains trace minerals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine, and potassium, just a few of which are necessary for the human body. Though there are no major health risks, having trace minerals in your diet may reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and other bone diseases. The absorption rate of kosher salt is much higher than regular sea salt, which increases the blood flow to the extremities. Many people with kidney problems prefer the rich mineral content of kosher salt over other salts because of this benefit.
Another Himalayan pink salt product is Fairtrade salt, which has come to be highly recognizable in the alternative healing community. Fairtrade products have been certified to have little or no impact on farmers who harvest the salt from the Himalayan mountains. Since the harvesting of salt from the Himalayan mountains is performed in the most hazardous conditions, many claim these claims are unsubstantiated. However, many consumers feel that the lack of independent scientific testing makes Fairtrade salt less than "real" salt. There have been only a couple of controlled experiments testing the effects of Fairtrade salt on kidney function and blood pressure, both of which indicate improved function. In addition, there have been no documented negative side effects attributed to Fairtrade products.
Because of the lack of controlled testing, it is difficult to assess whether or not Himalayan pink salt and Fairtrade salts have the same potential benefits for consumers. Because the lack of controls allows each company to make their own assumptions about their products, potential buyers must become more cautious about what they are buying. The lack of independent scientific testing could lead to a placebo effect, which could cause the purchase price of these products to increase even further, causing more financial strain on the shopper.
Similar to Fairtrade and kosher salt, Himalayan pink salt has its own unique mineral composition. Each variety is made from a natural combination of minerals such as sulfur, bromine, zinc, magnesium, and iron. These minerals have a tendency to cause a slight tingling sensation when used in the shower, similar to the sensations that some people receive after drinking a hot cup of black coffee. Although most varieties do not contain any heavy metals, some forms of these bath salts contain trace amounts of lead, arsenic, and other potentially dangerous minerals. Consumers should always check the ingredients list for any minerals that may be in the product they are considering purchasing.
Because of the lack of research about the mineral content of Himalayan Pink Salt, potential buyers must rely on the integrity of the website of the company making the product. Websites often carry a list of ingredients with each of their uses. Reading the list of ingredients will help shoppers determine whether or not the salt they are thinking of buying is truly made from Himalayan Pink Salt, Fairtrade, or kosher salt. Potential buyers should also look for a list of possible side effects from using the product. Since many of the ingredients in popular brands of this product can cause some serious side effects, it is necessary to take care when applying them. Although there have been no reports of adverse effects from using Himalayan pink salt, potential buyers should always follow the directions on the label.
Himalayan pink salt lamps are a great alternative to incandescent light bulbs. Since the salt lamp can be used without a heat source, it is similar to using a lamp at night. The soft lighting of the Himalayan pink salt lamp helps to relax the mind while adding to the color of the crystal salt. This natural light source provides a soothing effect to the eyes as well as the skin. These lamps make great decorating elements as well as healing aids for any number of ailments.