Himalayan Crystal Salt Lamps make wonderful soothing night lights for children, providing a comforting soft light, while the negative ions help to induce sleep. In 1966, a hospital in Jerusalem conducted a study involving 38 babies, between the ages of two and twelve months, with about the same degree of respiratory problems. The babies were separated into two groups of nineteen. One group was treated with nothing but a negative ion electronic air cleaner, while the second group was administered the standard treatment, which included drugs and antibiotics with side effects. The babies in the group treated with the negative ion air purifier were cured of asthma and bronchitis much more quickly than those in the control group. The babies in the negative ion group were also found to be less prone to rebound attacks. Less scientifically, doctors found that the babies treated by negative ion-enriched air didn’t cry as often or as loudly. But as Fred Soyka, the author of The Ion Effect puts it, "there is nothing subjective about a bawling baby" (Soyka, 1991). 

Here is a testimonial from a grateful mother, Michelle in Durban: "I have an eight month old baby and have had a (Himalayan Crystal Salt) lamp in his room for about a month now. The calming effect on him is incredible. The warm glow also makes a very comforting and gentle night light and he is sleeping far more peacefully than he did before. It's hard to imagine that every child doesn't have one in his/her room - I wish we had bought one sooner!" 

Sleep may be to this decade what fitness and diet were to the 1980s and 1990s. Faced with new evidence linking inadequate sleep with weight gain, high blood pressure, depression and lowered immunity, more consumers will connect health and shut-eye in 2012. 

Seventy-six percent of Americans want to improve the quantity and quality of the sleep they get, while the National Sleep Foundation says that two-thirds of all women have regular sleep problems. Globally, sleep deprivation affects the quality of life of 45% of the world's population, according to the World Association of Sleep Medicine. 

Negative ions seem to have a positive effect on the sleep hormone melatonin, and help to balance the serotonin levels in the blood. This helps to induce a restful, relaxed and peaceful state of being. Negative Ions have also been found to reduce and clear the symptoms of asthma, hay fever, and sinus problems.