Hippocrates (460-377 BC), the father of medicine, described medicinal properties and methods of application of amber that were later used by scientists until the Middle Ages.
In ancient Rome amber was used as medicine and as a protection against different diseases. Calistratus, the famous physician of those times, wrote that amber protects from madness, powder of amber mixed with honey cures throat, ear and eye diseases, and taken with water cures stomach illnesses.
Pliny the Younger noted that Roman peasant women wore amber medallions not only as adornments, but also as a remedy for “swollen glands and sore throat and palate.”
Persian scientist Ibn Sina (Avicenna) called amber remedy for many diseases. There was a belief in eastern countries that amber smoke strengthens human spirit and gives courage. For a treatmentwas used white amber, the most valuable was greenish amber, as well as amber with inclusions. In China “amber syrup”, a mixture of succinct acid and opium, was used as a tranquilizer and antispasmodic. The most valuable amber for the Japanese emperors was red, which stimulated blood regeneration (purification).
After the birth of Christ amber was used in churches for incense. Scent of burning amber helped to concentrate and cleaned the lodging not only in the churches. Amber was burned in rooms where patients stayed. In this way, the air was disinfected; possibility of infection with various diseases to others was reduced, as well as recovery was accelerated.
In the Middle Ages amber beads were even worn for the treatment of jaundice. It was believed that the magic force of this yellow stone could absorb unhealthy yellowness of the skin and the weakness of the organism. Amber bracelets reduced pain of joints and muscles. Terms Oleum succini (amber oil), Balsamum succini (amber balsam), Extractum succini (amber extract) were often used in the recipes and records of the alchemists of those times. In medieval pharmacies amber extract (Extractum succini) was used to strengthen weak human body, to lubricate wounds and bruises. Amber oil (Oleum succini) was used to rub painful parts of the body.
Prussian duke Albrecht decided to follow the recipe of a Roman physician and sent a piece of amber to Luther as a remedy for stone disease.
Our ancestors mixed amber powder with a variety of extracts and oils, which then were oiled on the skin, given an enema, drank as medicine, was made as compresses. Amber was used to treat eczema, infections caused by allergies, diseases of thyroid and eyes. It enhanced immunity, reduced risk of infections.
Before World War I amber was still used for treatment of various diseases, e.g. tincture made of pieces of amber and vodka was thought to increase sexual potency of men. In Lithuania and tsarist Russia nannies had to wear amber beads to protect themselves and babies from diseases. Before World War II, especially in Germany, amber beads were put on babies to make the eruption of teeth less painful and make the teeth grow stronger.
Now popularity of amber and its components in medicine, food additives, and cosmetic production is growing, because we are slowly going back to the environmentally friendly organic materials that the same nature gives us. Specialized enterprises produce amber powder, facial and body scrubs, various creams, amber balls, incense, tea with amber. Some beauty salons offer face, neck and neckline massage with amber sticks, activating blood circulation and tissue regeneration, improving skin elasticity, repaying the colour, comparing the fine wrinkles, smoothing the wells. Amber powder or amber dust used in cosmetics protects the skin from UV rays. Amber oil, which is able to penetrate through the epidermis, has antiseptic properties, heals wounds, and strengthens immunity. It is scientifically proved that amber restrains tumour growth.
Amber healing properties and therapeutic effect is based on magnetic properties of amber – amber could “get charged” and “permeates” energy. It acts as a magnet; it amplifies or diminishes radiation of the body’s internal magnetic field. Bio stimulation of amber in the body induces production of hormones. Hormones influence supply of blood to unhealthy organs, so they heal faster. Regular amber applications reduce or sometimes and completely soothe chronic pain of back, menstrual, muscular and abdominal, headache and toothache. It was examined, that direct application is the most effective way of amber therapy. A body has about 360 biologically active points, which are responsible for specific internal organ systems. Amber pieces put on the biologically active points radiate energy and stimulate special points. Sometimes with amber treatment it is possible to reduce normal quantity of taken medicines by half. One more therapeutic effect: it is considered that amber facilitates delivery, protects a mother and a child from diseases and other illnesses. In many countries pregnant women wear amber beads, and they needle a piece of amber in the child’s clothes. Massage balls, used to make the eruption of teeth less painful, could also be made of amber.
Russian scientists revealed a secret of amber powder. In laboratory studies they found amber acid. Amber acid strengthens a body and reduces the influence of unhealthy environmental factors. Amber acid positively impacts the respiratory organs, stimulates nervous system, and promotes restorative processes. It positively impacts the heart and kidneys. Amber acid enhances intestinal and renal function. Amber acid is used to treat anaemia of different origin, acute radiculitis, and chronic cardio-vascular diseases. Today amber is used to treat urinary bladder, stomach diseases, and bronchitis.
German psychotherapists believe that amber can have positive effects on human psyche. Amber calms and protects. It also promotes self-defense instincts, abolishes stress, and gives new strength, confidence and hope, suppresses fear and depression.
IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN TRY AMBER THERAPEUTIC YOURSELF:
However, it is important to understand that amber is not a panacea for all diseases. It can make easier the symptoms of a disease, but does not remove the reason. Raw or not so much polished amber is better for treatment, because changes in the structure decrease its energy power. Amber gets covered after contact with body sebum, creams, sweat and dust and those impurities hold down its energy and permeability. If you want to clean amber and “load” it with a new energy, you should put it in warm, clean water, then scrub it with a soft brush, rinse under running water, dry up with a towel, and polish it with wool or silk cloth. That amber does not lose its power, it can not be kept near computer, mobile phone, microwave oven, TV set – these devices radiate electromagnetic waves.