| 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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