It may sound unearthly if we get to think about ions and the density of them in the present atmosphere. But it is true that many a problems, physical and mental are caused by these ions and we don’t even have a clue! So let’s not be ignorant of anything and try to learn what exactly this ‘ion concentration’ is. Definition: Ions are electrically charged particles present in the water. Salts dissolved in water decompose into ions, that is, into particles with a positive or a negative electrical charge. The amount of ions dissolved in the water determines its total salt content, which is expressed as the electrical conductance. Organic waste products can also be present as ions, such as: ammonium ions, nitrite ions, and nitrate ions.

As we all are well-versed with the fact that usage of cell phones is malignant and it has been proved that it causes many health problems stating with insomnia to cancer. The effect of mobile phone radiation on human health is the subject of recent interest and study, as a result of the enormous increase in mobile phone usage throughout the world (as of June 2009, there were more than 4.3 billion users worldwide). Mobile phones use electro-magnetic radiation in the microwave range. Other digital wireless systems, such as data communication networks, produce similar radiation. The WHO has classified mobile phone radiation on the IARC scale into Group 2B - possibly carcinogenic. That means that there “could be some risk” of  arcinogenicity, so additional research into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones needs to be conducted. Some national radiation advisory authorities have recommended measures to minimize exposure to their citizens as a precautionary approach. The main reasons for these problems are that cell phones emit ‘positive ions’. Not only cell phones but also television sets, computers, refrigerators to say all the electronic gadgets emit only positive ions. This creates traffic of positive ions in the atmosphere which is very dangerous.

A Solution for Ion Traffic How to solve the problem?
Do we have to cease using everything and go back to barbaric times? Of course not! Instead of living like ancient people, let us take the valuable gifts that our forefathers have gathered for us. Yes! What I am saying is there is an effective, easy solution for this unusual problem. The answer is ‘THE HIMALAYAN ROCK SALT LAMP’. WHAT IS IT? Himalayan salt is a marketing term for Halite (commonly known as rock salt) from Pakistan, which began being sold by various companies in Europe, North America, and Australia in the early 21st century. It is mined in the Khewra Salt Mines, the second largest salt mine in the world, located in Khewra, Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan, about 300 km from the Himalayas, about 160 km from Islamabad, and 260 km from Lahore, and in the foothills of the Sal Range. The salt sometimes comes out in a reddish or
pink colour, with some crystals having off-white to transparent colour. It is commonly used for cooking similar to regular table salt, brine, and bath products. This salt is made into suitable shapes and sizes for lighting the salt. It could be even electrically used as an electric bulb.Salt Varieties and Types Some types of salt have risen to gourmet status, along with a corresponding price tag. Processing methods and location of origin figure into pricing. Certain types of salt are better for some cooking or preserving methods. Most common salt is mined from salt deposits left by salt lakes around the world. These lakes have dried up over the past millenia as the earth’s surface has changed. Sea salt is distilled from the ocean, a more expensive process, resulting in a heftier price. Rock salt: Less refined and greyish in colour, this is the chunky crystal salt used in ice cream machines. This type is generally not used as an edible flavouring mixed into foods, but in cooking methods such as to bake potatoes or to encrust or embed meat, seafood or poultry for baking. Rock salt makes an impressive bed for oysters on the half shell. When using rock salt for cooking, be sure it is food-grade. Some rock salt sold for ice cream machines is not suitable for cooking. About Himalayan Rock Salt Lamps.

Rock salt lamps are made from salt crystals that are approximately 250 million years old from the Himalayan mountain regions. Mined crystals come in a variety of shades including white, pink, peach, orange, and reds. You can choose a natural or sculpted shaped lamp. Sculpted lamps are available in a variety of shapes: spheres, pyramids, cones, blocks, bowls, etc. Tea-lights are also available. Salt crystal lamps are natural ion generators, emitting negative ions into the atmosphere. Why is this good thing? Negative ions are good for you! Negative ions restore and neutralize air quality. Negative ions can be used to treat illness and improve health. Our homes and offices are filled with electrical appliances and electronics (televisions, computers, florescent lighting, microwaves, heaters, air-conditioners, etc.). Use of such devices have been blamed for lowering our energy levels, making us feel tired, cranky, and depressed because of their emissions of positive ions. Keeping a rock salt lamp in areas where positive ions are polluting your air space will help neutralize the air you breathe. Balancing positive and negative ions also help reduce airborne infections.

Scientific studies have shown that Rock Salt Lamps can increase the negative ion count by up to 300% and excessive negative ions are essential for a positive mood high energy. When warmed by the globe the rock salt generates a stream of negative ions, which improves the air quality.

They remove odours from the air naturally,creating a pleasant atmosphere. Televisions………………are the main source of positive ions. Placing a rock salt lamp nearby produces the negative ions required for good health. Using one at work will help to make you feel
more energised. Working under bright artificial light can make you feel tired. However the negative ions created by this lamp balance this energy making you feel rejuvenated and energized. Also beneficial for people effected by arthritis, asthma, stress, insomnia, aches, fatigue, tiredness, migraines, headaches, hormonal imbalance, attention deficit disorder and poor concentration. Improves Learning skills’ Researchers believe that through control of the electrical charges in the air we breathe, our moods, energy level, and health can be markedly improved! Today, our modern homes and offices seal out negative ions. Computer terminals, fluorescent lighting, forced air ventilation systems, and modern building materials generate an over abundance of positive ions. Positive ions make us feel tired, depressed and irritable. Balancing the ionization in your home may help to combat the ill feelings associated with our stressful lifestyles. The worlds most tranquil and refreshing regions are loaded with billions of negative ions. Air near waterfalls, mountains, beaches and forests are among those places where ionization levels are in complete and natural balance. After a lightning storm, most of us feel invigorated and refreshed. This is because the electrical storm has generated trillions of gloriously tranquilizing negative ions that ease tension and leave us full of energy. Scientific studies have shown that atmospheres charged with negative ions relieve hay-fever and asthma symptoms, seasonal depression, fatigue and headaches. It’s also been shown that negatively ionized atmospheres improve performance of voluntary movement, increase work capacity, sharpen mental functioning, and reduce error rates. Studies at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute have demonstrated that High Density Negative Ionizers appear to
act as a specific anti-depressant for patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Remarkable as it may seem, a room charged with negative ions was shown to stem bacteria growth and precipitate many airborne contaminants including pollen, dust and dust mites, viruses, second-hand cigarette smoke, animal dander, odours and toxic chemical fumes. It is well-known that consuming more alkaline foods, i.e. fruits and vegetables, is beneficial to human health. An acidic PH balance of the body, on the other hand, makes the body weak and susceptible to sickness. Acidification of the blood, which is caused by the loss of electrons, can be prevented by Negative Electric Ions which contains an abundant amount of electrons improving the body’s immunity and resistance to illnesses. This is the reason Negative Electric Ions products are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Metabolism, which is the process of acquiring nutrients from the blood and excreting waste out of the body, is extremely important to the human cells. The more Negatively Charged Electric Ions there are in the blood, the more efficient the cell’s metabolism process. On the contrary, the more Positively Charged Ions there are in the blood, the slower and less efficient the cell’s metabolism. This causes the body’s cells to become weak and the body will tend to get sick more easily and age faster. An experiment was conducted on electric ions and the permeability of the cell membrane. In the experiment, skin was used to exemplify the cell membrane. When positively charged ions were permeated into the surface of the skin, its pores and sweat glands began to contract. However, when Negative Electric Ions were permeated into the surface of the skin, its pores and sweat glands expanded, which demonstrates good metabolism of the cell membranes. This phenomenon is called Prototype Plasma Membranes of Dermal Reflectivity. Dr. Arudoman of Germany also conducted a research regarding the influence of ions on the human body. He proposed the following hypothesis - Negatively Charged Ions are beneficial to the human body in four major ways: It helps to strengthen the functions of autonomic nerves, reinforces collagen (tissues that are resilient and tension-related), improves the permeability of the cell’s prototype plasma membranes (improves metabolism), and strengthens the body’s immune system.

The human body is surrounded by ions; therefore, the function of electrons inside and outside the cells has significant influence on the human body. It makes the body strong if good ions are taken. When the amount of Negative Electric Ions contained one c.c. of air inhaled reached 5,000 to 50,000, it strengthens the body’s resistance and immunity; and when the amount of Negative Electric Ions contained in one c.c. of air reached 100,000 to 500,000, it relieves illnesses. Negatively Charged Electric Ions in our body are essential in sustaining and improving our health. Whereas 85% of the Negative Electric Ions are absorbed from our skin, only 15% is inhaled and absorbed through our lungs. (Quoted from page 56 of Negatively Charged electric Ion Treatment, issued by Youth Publishing)

** Benefits of Negative Ions ** “Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of ‘The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and
director of research’ at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C. “They also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation. And for a whopping one in three of us who are sensitive to their effects, negative ions can make us feel like we are walking on air. You are one of them if you feel instantly refreshed the moment you open a window and breathe in fresh, humid air. You may be one of them if you feel sleepy when you are around an air-conditioner, but feel immediately refreshed and invigorated when you step outside or roll down the car window,” Howard says. “Air conditioning depletes the atmosphere of negative ions, but an ion generator re-releases the ions that air conditioners remove.” Negative ions are created in nature with air molecules broken apart from sunlight, radiation, and moving air or water. “The action of the pounding surf creates negative air ions and we also see it immediately after spring thunderstorms when people report lightened moods,” says ion researcher Michael Terman, PhD, of Columbia University in New York.

In a study conducted by Columbia University, 25 people with SAD (Seasonal Affective Depression) sat in front of a negative ion air purifier for a half hour every morning for a month. Half the subjects were given a low level of negative ions, and the other half a high level. The higher level of negative ion treatment proved to be as effective against SAD as antidepressants, such as Prozac and Zolof, and without the side effects of these drugs. Negative ions are odourless tasteless molecules that are breathed into our respiratory system. High concentrations of negative ions can be found in nature in mountain forests, waterfalls, and beaches where people feel energized and invigorated which helps relieve stress, alleviate depression and boosts energy. ** How Negative Ions Purify the Air: **Most all particles in the air have a positive charge or are positively ionized, while negative ions have a negative charge. Negative ions are drawn to these positively charged particles by magnetic attraction to one another. When there is a high enough concentration of negative ions in the air, they will attract to floating particles in large numbers. This causes the particle to become too heavy to remain airborne. As a result, the particle will drop out of the air, keeping them out of the breathing zone and out of the respiratory system where it can trigger breathing and health problems.

Then the pollutant particles can be collected by  normal cleaning activities, such as dusting or vacuuming. If the particles are forced back up into the air it will again be ionized and quickly settled out of the breathing zone once again. In nature, negative ions are generated by processes such as sunlight, lightening, waves from the ocean, and from waterfalls. “Concrete Jungles” minimize the natural production of negative ions by disrupting the delicate electrical balance between the atmosphere and the earth. Most ionizers recreate them with  electrode pins (“needle points”) to electrically produce negative ions. This method produces a density that is many times higher than the negative ion level found at Niagara Falls, the highest natural producer of negative ions and one of the healthiest environments in the world.

* Negative ions are beneficial to human body in four major ways:
Reprinted from “Economy Daily News” - January 30, 2002
· Strengthen the functions of autonomic nerves
· Reinforces collagen (tissues that are resilient and tension-related)
· Improves the permeability of the cell’s prototype plasma membranes (improves metabolism)
· Strengthens the body’s immune system
* Negative Ion regeneration for youthfulness and longevity by John Heinerman, Ph.D Negative ions neutralize pollutants and provide positive effects on health to
· Stimulate the reticulo-endothelial system, a group of defence cells in our bodies that marshal our resistance to disease
· Act on our capacity to absorb and utilize oxygen. Negative ions in the bloodstream accelerate the delivery of oxygen to our cells and tissues
· Speed up oxidation of serotonin (5-hydroxtryptamine) in the blood. This is well known to have far reaching effects on mood,pain relief and sexual drive.Studies Proving the Effectiveness of Negative Ions
* Negative Ions help prevent respiratoryrelated illness. In a study conducted in a Swiss textile mill,negative ionizers were placed in two, 60' by 60' rooms, each containing 22 employees. In one room, the negative ion electronic air cleaner was turned on during the course of the
study. In the other room, the negative ion air purifier was permanently turned off, although the employees in this room were led to believe they were working in a room enriched by negative ions. During this six-month study, a total of 22 sick days were lost by employees working in the room in which the negative ionizer was operating. In the room where the machine was not operating, a total of 64 days were lost to sickness. During a month-long flu epidemic, the first group lost a total of 3 days to sickness, while the second group lost a total of 40 days to sickness (Stark, 1971).

In a test involving a Swiss bank office, one group of 309 worked in a negative ion-treated environment. A second group of 362 worked in an untreated environment. Over the next several months, for every day lost to respiratory illness (cold, flu, laryngitis, etc.) in group one, 16 days were lost to respiratory illness in group two (Soyka, 1991). In a Surrey University study at the Norwich Union Insurance Group headquarters, eight negative ion generators were placed in the computer and data preparation section.Before the test, the research team spent a month compiling incident rates for complaints of sickness and headaches. During the test in which the negative ion air purification systems were in operation, incidents of sickness and headaches were reduced by 78%. After testing was completed, the Norwich Union opted to keep the negative ion electronic air cleaners (Soyka, 1991). * Negative ions counteract the effects of smoking. High levels of negative ions neutralize the effect that tobacco smoke has on the cilia. Cilia are the microscopic hairs located in the trachea that move rapidly back and forth to prevent pollutants and toxins from travelling into the vulnerable areas of the respiratory tract. The faster the cilia move, the more effective they are. However, tobacco smoke slows down the ciliary’s beat, diminishing the body’s ability to keep cancer-causing pollutants from entering the depths of the respiratory tract. Tests have shown though, that adding high levels of negative ions to the air accelerate the ciliary’s beat to normal levels (Soyka, 1991).
* Negative ions are a natural anti-depressant. . . . and without the side effects!
In a study conducted by Columbia University, 25 people with SAD (Seasonal Affective Depression) sat in front of negative ion air purifier for a half hour every morning for a month. Half the subjects were given a low level of negative ions, and the other half a high level. The
higher level of negative ion treatment proved to be as effective against SAD as anti-depressants, such as Prozac and Zolof, and without the side effects of these drugs (Finley, 1996).
* Negative ions for positive attitude Positive ions, which are found in abundance in most indoor environments, cause an overproduction of serotonin. Serotonin is a
neurotransmitter that helps the body deal with mental, emotional, and physiological stress. An overproduction initially causes hyperactivity,
which rapidly leads to anxiety, and in some cases depression. Negative ion treatment has proven to be successful in reducing the
overproduction of serotonin, and therefore successful in alleviating depression in some cases (Kreuger).

* Negative Ions help us to sleep better In 1969, French researcher found that the overproduction of the neurohormone serotonin
caused sleeplessness and nightmares. In using a negative ion electronic air cleaner to treat a group of people experiencing sleeping
problems as a result of serotonin overproduction, he found that most of them were able to sleep better (Soyka, 1991). * U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
A recent study by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture found that ionizing a room led to 52% less dust in the air, and 95% less bacteria in
the air (since many of the pollutants found in the air reside on floating dust particles).The U.S.D.A. also performed another study to
test the effectiveness of negative ionization at removing airborne Salmonella Enteritidis. The negative ions drastically reduced the
airborne salmonella particles, prompting the following statement from the USDA:
FAQ’S
Q1: What are Negative Ions ?
A) They are oxygen atoms with an extra electron and they can help you feel better.

Q2: What Negative Ions can do for you ?
A) Negative ions are effective for allergies,asthma, hay fever, sinusitis, eczema, burns, emphysema and people tend to feel more alert, stable and energized in the presence of negative ions.

Q3: Is there any scientific evidence to prove salt lamp effectiveness?
A) A series of scientific studies show that salt crystal lamps can increase the negative ion count by up to 300%. In fresh country air we find up to 4000 negative ions per cubic centimetre, however the number of negative ions in major capital cities at rush hour does not even reach 100. Negative ions not only speed recovery in burn or asthma patients, but also effect serotonin levels
in the bloodstream, stabilize alpha rhythms and to positively impact our reactions to sensory stimuli.

Q4: Does Salt lamps really control the humidity level of the Environment?
A) Salt lamps absorb extra humidity in the environment (only excessive) so to improve the quality of environment. (Environment with excessive humidity have higher germ growth rate, metal is more vulnerable to rust, and breathing may be difficult)

Q5: What size must a Salt Lamp be to give the best results?
A) For a room size of 64 square feet, a lamp of about 5-7lbs, for 100 square feet 8-9lbs, 144 square feet a lamp of about 10-12lbs, for 225 square feet 14-20lbs to get the optimum result. You can use several small lamps or tea lights instead as long as they amount to the same respective weight.

Q6: Should I keep my Salt Lamp on all the time?
A) To get the best effect, keeping the lamp on as long as possible is recommended. Leaving any electrical unit unattended is not advised.

Q7: How long will my Salt lamp last?
A) While the Light Bulb may burn out and need replacement, your salt Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp will last a life time. When heated by a 5-25 watt bulb they become warm to the touch and may “sweat” a bit but they don’t melt or dissolve. An occasional wipe with a dry cotton cloth will keep surface free of moisture.