Negative Ions for Healing
By Bryan Rosner on Jun 6, 2008 in General News, Treatments
Negative ions are known for their healing effect. In this post, I am going to share an excerpt from an excellent book, and also a video about negative ions. I was recently asked a question on YouTube about this topic so I am responding via this blog post. Here was the question:
Hi Brian. Thanks for the post. I too have felt a tremendous benefit from the negative ions and sunshine while being at the beach. As you seem to have a lot of experience with technology related to health, what are your thoughts on negative ion generators having a similar effect on the body? I’m speaking specifically about machines designed to emit a large amount of negative ions into the air, and aren’t just air purifiers that use negative ions to attract dust and pollutants.
Truth is I don’t know the answer, but in this post I will share what I do know and also, I will ask readers to share their experiences.
Nenah Sylver’s Excellent book, The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy, does a great job to describe negative ions:
The Production of Negative Ions
For many body heating aficionados, a sauna is not a real sauna without water. In fact, one sauna manufacturer told me, in Europe, a sauna is defined according to three criteria: it must be a wood-lined room; the heat source (which can be either electrical or a fire) must reach a minimal temperature of 140°F (60°C); and the unit must be outfitted with hot rocks upon which water can be thrown, in order to get a good löyly. It is illegal to call anything else a sauna.
For both the Finns and Native Americans, throwing water onto hot rocks to create a light vapor is an important ceremony. However, the presence of water vapor in either an electric-heated or fire-heated rock sauna goes beyond aesthetic appeal or even the quality of heat. Very light steam can make the difference between a feeling of well-being or the onset of illness. Western science has finally confirmed what native cultures have intuitively known for centuries: that the moving water is healing because it produces beneficial negative ions.
An ion is an atom or molecule with either a positive or a negative charge. Normally, the number of protons (which have a positive charge) and electrons (which have a negative charge) are equal. However, if an electron gets bumped off an atom, the atom assumes a positive charge. If a lone electron whirling around finds an atom and latches on to it, the atom then becomes negatively charged. An excess of positively charged ions is caused by electrical machinery, smog, and non-natural environments such as automobiles and building interiors that contain synthetic materials. Positively charged ions in the air make people feel fatigued and restless, partly because they attract carbon dioxide that displaces valuable ozygen when we breathe. The immune response can begin to falter, opening the door not only to insomnia, migraines and respiratory illnesses, but also to arthritis, allergies and other autoimmune conditions.
Negative ions are created by plants during photosynthesis, by fire, and by moving water—particularly if it falls through the air in a waterfall, ocean spray or shower, or is vaporized into steam when poured onto the hot rocks of a sauna. Large numbers of negatively charged ions in a room or in the environment energize, rejuvenate, and make people feel secure and calm. Research shows that these subjective good feelings are due in part to the relaxing alpha brain wave patterns that are induced. The healing effect of negative ions is so important that NASA provides a negative ion generator for astronauts after space flights. And many hospitals in Europe routinely place the units in sick people’s rooms, where the negative ions enhance the healing from burns and even help people recover from some forms of cancer.
Aaland describes how the Finns—regarded as the world experts on saunas—responded to the introduction of electric heaters in saunas and the positive ions they produced.
The effect of negative ions on sweat bathing was discovered when researchers were trying to account for the tremendous popularity of sauna wood burning stoves over electric stoves. Subjective reasons, such as the fragrance of burned wood, did not fully explain why Finns felt so refreshed after time in a wood heated sauna and quite dulled from certain electrically heated saunas. Tests showed that the practice of splashing water on super-heated rocks produced an abundance of negative ions. Many electric stoves, it turned out, were not getting the rocks hot enough and the glowing metal heating coils were spurting more positive ions in the air. Researchers learned that if the rocks were properly heated in electric stoves, the positive ions, being larger and less mobile [than negative ions], would ground out on the hot stones. The buying habits of the Finns, perhaps the most sophisticated of sweat bathers, has forced many Finnish electric stove companies to pay particular attention to their sauna stove design . . . it is likely [that] similar negative ion production occurs in any sweat bath that converts water to vapor quickly. The Native American Indian sweat lodge comes to mind.1
Most sauna designers and installers tell me that the best electric stoves allow the rocks to be placed directly among the electric heating coils instead of on top of a grill or in a tray. This requires an exceptionally well-made, insulated, safe stove—but the benefits seem to be worth the extra effort and price.
I created this video while on vacation in Monterey, CA:
If any of you blog readers know of good information on negative ions, especially information on negative ion GENERATORS, please leave a comment here and let’s talk about it. I am curious to know if people have been helped by negative ion generators, as the question on YouTube posed.
On Jul 13, 2008, Astrid said:
Hi- I am participating in a research study at a major university ( I won’t mention the name since the study is still going on) whereby I am using a “personal negative ion generator” to help me with insomnia. I probably can’t go into any details about the product yet, but can say a few things about negative ions. I was very sceptical of this treatment, sounding like quackery to me! I have changed my mind! I am sleeping like I haven’t slept in years! Very deep sleep. The drawback is that when I wake up, it is hard to get out of bed, but onece I’m up, I feel more or less refreshed. I am getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. I was getting 5-6! It also seems like my blood sugar regulation might be better. The study is not testing it, but I am noticing a difference. I have hypoglycemia, which I regulate by eating a litttle bit all day and eating a full breakfast. If I don’t snack I start getting shaky and I develop light and sound sensitivity and serious irritability, and then once I eat, a few hours afterwards I have a massive crash. Since using this thing, though, I haven’t expereicned anything like when I couldn’t eat breakfast rigth away, and I have more wiggle room between meals and snacks. So it is interesting to me, as it seems to be affecting my metabolism? The only thing is, one day I ;eft the device at home and I missed a whole day. That night, I had the worst insomnia ever - I got 4 hours of sleep and I was in bed awake for an hour and a half. So I am a little scared that when the study ends my insomnia will be worse than before the study. nI am also nervous about anything that plays around with our seratonin receptors, since they seem to be so fragile. So I am a little nervous about being the guinea pig for this, as the only research I seem to be able to find on the web about the effects of ion generators are companie tryign to SELL their products. So I am guessing that there isn’t a wole lot of research being produced or funded by researchers other than those paid by companies interested in sellign a product. Even this one at the major university, is contracted through the manufacturer of this device to conduct the study. The company designed the study. So I am wary and suspicious of this. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
On Jul 13, 2008, Astrid said:
Oh -I meant to say that my wary-ness is around the safety issues. It definately seems to work. I wonder about the long range safety issues of tampering with seratonin, and if it is natural for the body to receive more negative ions on a regular basis than one would experience naturally as in nature and being near the ocean… a waterfall or a fire. In otherwords, would it offse the balance? Negative ions are obviously helpful, but does that mean excessive amoutns of it are healthy? Just lke not getting enough af a particular vitamin is problematic, but is taking excessive amounts of it also healthy? So I am curious aboout that. It may be that there is no such concern with negative ions. I’m just wondering is all. Also, on another note, if steam can generate negative ions, rather than buying expensive ion=generating products for the room, could one boil some mountain spring water or sea water and place a towel over our our head and the pot and “breath in” negative ions that way. By boiling a package of noodles, are we improving the quailty of air in the room? I’m curious!
On Aug 25, 2008, Ivan said:
Hi there,
i had been using negative ions for about 12 months. i used ion generator. the result was good,just have be around the machine, my brain feel more lively. 2 months later, someone introduce me to negative ions clothing. A fiber called Teviron that absorb the negative ions in the air onto the fiber. Just 15min after i wear the wristband,the numbness on my hand are all gone. i bought the whole set to wear. my sniff neck problem gone in 1 night, my piles that i have for many year,was gone in 3 week!! My high blood pressure went back to normal till i don’t need to pop any pills. Thank You God.
I had did some research. The largest organ in our body is our skin. We are only able to absorb 15% of negative ions through breathing. If we use our skin to absorb negative ions, the efficiency rises to 85%.
Generator Vs Clothing. My Choice is Clear !
No more Popping of pills anymore !!
On Mar 28, 2009, Kim said:
Hi,
I had to add my recent experience with negative ions using tourmaline wristbands, and a necklace. I could feel the effects of putting them on within an hour, and now, when I take them off, I really feel the letdown after only a short while. I had been in fairly poor health recently due to chronic pain, and stress. Without a doubt the negative ions created by the tourmaline and si bin have changed my life. I also have begun drinking negative ion water, and cannot tell you what a difference this has made. I am hoping to get some long term benefits for the numbness in my feet due to nerve damage, but haven’t noticed a marked difference there yet.
On Aug 15, 2009, Sanada Soo said:
Hi,
I had the blessing this year to use clothings made from Teviron (CH2CHCL)n with CH3COCH3 with C6H6, I am not a chemist by nature but had studied chemistry during my schools years. I am still wondering how it works, I bought the full set and had been wearing from head to toes Teviron made clothings like eye mask(cured my sinus), under-shirt (cured my rashes on the arm and body odor), underpant (cured my constipation problem and increased my S-drive) Socks (cured my smelly feet) I am very amazed by the results just from wearing these clothings. I studied that this material is made from a chemical that attracts a negative ions from the air and when it is being attracted to the clothings, it got no where else to go buy into our skin spores. That is how I got injected with thousands of negative ions every where I go. I believe if I am wearing the teviron clothings near a waterfall, I will be so injected with negative ions. Oh, I almost forgot, after wearing for 3months now, I notice I look more tone and I even lost 2 inces on my waist. : )
However I am curious how does the negative ions goes into our body via the skin spores.
And when it goes into our body, how does the miracle works, like purify the blood, regenerate the body cells, increase the immune system, and regulate the nerve systems. I am very facinated by all this and would like to know if anyone can enlighten me.
Now I just believe that it works just like electricity or there is air that I can breath, all invisible to the naked eyes but it just exist.
On Oct 5, 2009, mincir said:
Of course negative ions are essential, the chemistry in our bodies wouldn’t work without them! You’re not going to eliminate cell waste byproducts.
The acidity/alkalinity of our bodies is closely regulated by the organs. Food in the stomach is acidic, in the gut it is alkaline (due to pancreatic enzymes). Any shift from the norm is rapidly corrected by the body.
Of course LW Infrared is essential, it’s basically radiated heat. And heat stops us dying from hypothermia. It also tends to improve circulation.
Wearing a magic bracelet or putting in an air filter isn’t going to have much effect on the strength of the immune system.
On Feb 18, 2010, Suzanne Dembo said:
So interesting to read your blog - we’ve been working in the field of negative ions for 43 years now and I thought you might be interested in an executive summary of findings from a recent survey we completed, investigating the uses and benefits of ELANRA therapeutic Ionisers. The ELANRA products are registered as medical devices as we produce negative ions of oxygen small enough to be inhaled to enter the bloodstream. Any questions, would love to stay in touch. Enjoy!
In a recent Australian survey conducted by Osborne International, investigating the health benefits associated with breathing in negative ions of oxygen, an overwhelming response by close to 1000 men and women who use Elanra therapeutic Ionizers reported positive improvements across an extremely diverse range of health benefits.
Almost 90% recorded positive comments regarding their overall health and wellness, one quarter stated they had gained 100% or Substantial Improvement, and 93% of respondents indicated they either had or will in future recommend the Elanra to others. Older people in particular (90% of those aged over 70) were more likely to record positive comments about their use of the Elanra Ionizers, and those in retirement villages had gained particular positive benefits. Many wrote of their full recoveries from health problems such as allergies, sinus and other respiratory illnesses.
At its most basic level, the contribution of the Elanra Ionizer to cleaning the air of pollutants which respondents considered were harmful to their health, such as cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide fumes from nearby roads, dust from industrial areas, pollens and even crop spraying in rural areas were the issues most commented upon by respondents.
Consistent and continual use of the Elanra Ionizer demonstrably had most beneficial effects on people’s health. Respondents (92%) who use the Elanra Ionizer consistently reported the highest level of health improvement.
The contribution of the Elanra Ionizer to better sleep, overcoming sleep problems and snoring in particular were commented upon by a majority of respondents. Two thirds of respondents had specifically purchased the Elanra Ionizer to help with sleep problems and 90% of those respondents reported they had indeed gained better sleep.
Ninety five per cent of respondents who had purchased the Elanra Ionizer for Multiple Conditions and/or for Colds and Flu and for Car or Air Travel registered improvement in their health. Many respondents stated that use of the Elanra Ionizer had greatly reduced their incidence and certainly the duration of colds and flu. Some stated that they had been entirely free from such problems despite their friends or family or people in their workplace suffering serious flu.
The positive contribution of the Elanra Ionizer to general health and wellbeing was noted by many (87%), and 93% of those who had purchased the Elanra Ionizer to improve their immune system stated that they considered the Elanra Ionizer had indeed boosted their immune system with other attendant health benefits. Other reasons for use and for which respondents overwhelmingly reported benefits were to control stress, to assist their concentration and study, to help with post-operative healing and relief from a range of illnesses. Similarly, ninety three per cent of those who had purchased the Elanra Ionizer to assist with breathing stated they had experienced a noticeable improvement.
Almost half of all respondents were aged between 50-70 years, 30% were under 50 and 23% were aged over 70. Respondents came from all over Australia, city, towns or regional centres and country and rural areas. More than one quarter had more than one Elanra Ionizer.
As the only therapeutic Ionizers to emit the same small biologically active negative ions of oxygen found in nature, ELANRA Ionizers are included as medical devices on the ARTG and certified for use in hospitals. Designed to improve health and wellbeing, assist those recovering from illness and fatigue, and those who suffer from allergies, the Elanra range of three therapeutic Ionizers includes the table top MkII, portable MkIII and new wearable Air pendant. For more information on how negative ions and Elanra Ionizers can improve your health and wellness, visit http://www.negativeions.com.
Source: Osborne International. Report commissioned by Bionic Products Pty Ltd.