| For centuries, people used and continue
to use amber for healing and prophylactic purposes.
Amber therapy has a centuries long tradition in natural
medicine, and results of the application of amber treatment testify to its beneficial
effect on the human organism. Many instances of the effective healing of various ailments
have been documented.
Traditional medicine has approached amber as a form of
medicine with skepticism, basing its position on chemical analysis which found nothing
unusual in its composition. Currently only a few anti-rheumatic ointments containing amber
are being produced.
Unconventional medicine recommends amber solutions that
are used as a rub to relieve pain of different origins, and also general infections. Amber
oils are a liquid form of amber that are available and serve as disinfectants and
antiseptics for the treatment of skin disorders. To improve the ion structure of air,
there is amber incense that emits negative ions. The simplest and most popular form of
amber therapy is the wearing of amber jewelry. Amber beads heal and prevent throat, neck
and head disorders Amber bracelets aid rheumatic and arthritic ailments. Even rubbing the
afflicted area with a piece of amber is also recommended and effective. Amber is also worn
to sleep by some people.
The belief that amber contains anti-cancer properties is
prevalent among amber therapy advocates. Even the practice of continued contact of the
body with amber may in some measure protect it from tumors.
It has been confirmed on the basis of many positive
results of treatment with amber, that amber has antibacterial as well as antiviral
properties. However it is not yet known what types of bacteria and viruses amber has a
soothing or killing effect.
It has also been confirmed that various heart pains and
headaches no matter what their origin are relieved by rubbing the affected areas with
cotton soaked in amber solution or with a piece of amber.
Furthermore, it has been observed that contact with
amber has a beneficial effect on a person's well-being, introduces a positive mood, brings
calmness, and relieves nervous tension. In addition, it helps to free a person from stress
and depression.
Could it be, then, that amber was to be a panacea for
all illnesses of the body and mind? Its capacity to produce negative ions suggests that
amber can be tremendous prophylactic and healing power.
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Amber is a translucent to opaque yellow, golden or
orange material, usually warm to the touch, much lighter than one would expect of a
gemstone. It's not a gemstone in the truest sense--rather it's fossilized resin from trees
common about 50 million years ago. It's sometimes called "electrum" as Amber
produces static electricity when rubbed. Amber gets its name from the Greek
"Ambrosia".
Mystical Properties: Its beautiful,
warm color, and the ease with which it can be worked has made it popular since the Stone
Ages.
To the Norse, Amber was the golden tears of the Goddess Freya that fell into the sea and
solidified.
Others believe Amber to be the tears of Heliads
grieving for her dead brother Phaethon, who had fallen into the River Eridanos. The sun is
said to have hardened the tears into Amber.
Polish legends ascribe Amber to human tears from the forty-days rain.
A Kashubian legend says Amber was created from very loud lightning storms.
Homer mentions Amber in his writings, attributing great desirability and value to the
golden gems.
To the ancient Greeks, Amber came from the apples of immortality (hence the name, Amber
from the Greek "ambrotos", meaning "ambrosia"). From this legend,
amber was believed to instill protection to it's wearer and increase longevity. The Romans
picked up on this, believing Amber a first rate protector, so much so, the Roman
Gladiators adorned their shields and weapons with it.
In Christianity, Amber is thought to be tears shed by
birds at Christ's death.
Ancient Germans called Amber "bernstein",
meaning "burning stone". When burned, it will still give off a pine scent (50
million years later!), and so was used as an incense.
Amber is the gem of Germany, Romania, and Sicily and those of Germanic, Romanian and
Sicilian descent.
Said to favor those named Ambrose and Anne.
Dreaming of amber is said to indicate an upcoming voyage.
Scientific Properties: Amber is not
a true crystalline mineral, rather it is of organic origin, being the fossilized resin of
pine trees common about 40-50 millions years old.
Has pyroelectric properties (i.e. rub it and produces
electricity).
Hardness: 4 on the Moh's Hardness Scale
Found all over the world, including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Borneo.
The most valued Amber usually comes from the Baltic
region.
The most extensive deposits of Baltic Amber are found in the blue muds of the Sambian
Peninsula and by the Bay of Gdansk.
Healing Properties: Most commonly
Amber is said to help with sore throats, swollen glands, and fevers likely because of it's
ability to hold heat.
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