8 Benefits of Amethyst Gemstone
Amethyst gemstone offers certain benefits for body detoxification and health. This gem provides benefits similar to tourmaline, such as far-infrared radiation and negative ion emission. While the benefits of amethyst gemstone are controversial, many applications of this stone are beginning to regain popularity. If you’re wondering how amethyst can improve your health, then please read on!
What Is Amethyst Gemstone?
Amethyst is a popular and relatively rare form of quartz. It’s a fairly hard gem and can be found within geodes all across the globe. Amethyst is usually available in crystal form or as a mass. Its lovely purple color may come from trace amounts of iron or manganese in its crystal lattice. Many stones on the market are not naturally colored; they are often heat treated to produce a darker shade of purple.
Throughout history, the purple, lilac, and lavender amethyst crystal have been associated with royalty. The crystals have also been used for a variety of health conditions throughout the ages, ranging from alcohol addiction and sleep disorders to pain and mental dysfunction. While research has yet to conclude that amethyst actually helps decrease symptoms associated with these health issues, emerging data displays amethyst as a powerful compound possibly helpful for detoxification.
How Can Amethyst Help You?
Amethyst produces small but detectable of magnetic fields.[1] While high levels of magnetic fields are dangerous (particularly from electronics), the naturally-occurring magnetic fields from amethyst may actually produce favorable results in the body. Since the human body has its own magnetic field, proponents believe that amethyst interacts and exchanges energy with the body.[2] The stone also absorbs and reflects far-infrared radiation, a type of long-wavelength radiation.[3] Although controversial, far-infrared radiation is currently being studied for a variety of health benefits for the human body. Eight of these health benefits include:
1. Cell Regeneration
Far-infrared radiation is known to support healthy cell growth and regeneration. Scientific studies have shown that increasing infrared radiation may correspondingly increase energy levels in the body. This increase in energy is designed to promote the growth of healthy cells, possibly aiding in whole body growth.[4] Currently, the majority of experiments that verify these findings have been conducted with animals; however, results indicate that similar activity may occur in humans.
2. Sleep Support
We also know from experiments with animals and humans that far-infrared regulation may modulate sleep patterns. The low level of heat emitted by amethyst crystals may help provide a sense of calm for the body, possibly providing favorable effects for supporting a healthy sleep cycle.[4]
3. Blood Circulation
Far-infrared radiation has been shown to aid blood circulation, particularly microcirculation among the capillaries in the skin. For a time, scientists believed that the circulation benefit from far-infrared radiation was related to infrared heat. A recent study, however, showed that it actually wasn’t heat but the radiation itself that contributed to improved circulation.[5]
4. Fluid Motility
Blood is not the only bodily fluid that improves in circulation ability in response to far-infrared radiation. The radiation increases the motility of lymph fluid and may support normal fluid balance in tissues.[6]
5. Mood Support
In one recent study, far infrared radiation-emitting discs were placed under the pillows of subjects during sleep. Subjects with the radiation-emitting discs hidden underneath their pillows reported a statistically significant increase in overall life satisfaction. This was in direct comparison with those who had a placebo disc.[4]
6. Antioxidant Activity
Almost everyone has heard the buzz about antioxidants, and most of the population is aware of the general health benefits associated with these natural compounds. Research indicates that exposure to far-infrared radiation may increase antioxidant activity within certain foods.[7]
7. Wound Support
Far-infrared radiation may also promote repair mechanisms in skin tissue, especially for patients with diabetes-induced skin damage. Skin damage related to chronic and acute conditions and reconstructive surgeries may also benefit.[8]
8. Bacteria Fighter
Last but not least, science shows that far-infrared radiation may aid in inhibiting bacterial growth by hindering the actions of certain growth-promoting enzymes.[9] Scientists have found that it is far-infrared radiation specifically, and not merely the heat, which inhibits the growth of some bacteria in the body. Regular heat therapy doesn’t seem to offer the same effect.
These are only a few of the many possible benefits of far-infrared radiation via amethyst gemstone. Now, let’s turn our attention to the negative ions found in amethyst. While the term “negative” might indicate harm, these ions are actually essential for promoting our health.
3 Benefits of Amethyst-Generated Negative Ion Emission
Ions are atoms or molecules with an unequal number of protons and electrons. As electrons have a negative charge, an ion with more electrons than protons is called a negative ion. Because of this imbalance, they naturally seek out other molecules and compounds with which they can combine. According to some theories, negative ion emission could draw certain free radicals out of the body. Many people believe that amethyst crystals emit negative ions and can bring about the benefits of negative ion emission.[10] Here are three benefits of negative ions:
1. Removing Toxic Particles from the Body
Negative ions appear to attract toxic particles. Studies have indicated that the size of the particles doesn’t matter.[11]
2. Respiratory Support
If negative ions have the power to draw out toxic particles from the body, it may aid in respiration by removing these particles from the lungs.[12] This could aid those with occasional congestion or other respiratory concerns. More research is needed, especially on humans, to find conclusive evidence for this benefit.
3. Removing Aerosol
Negative ion emission can remove dangerous chemicals like aerosol from the air and your body.[12] Protecting your body from the potentially hazardous compounds is crucial for supporting health.
How to Use Amethyst
Look, I know that the practice of using gemstones for healing is a highly controversial one. If you don’t believe in the healing power of amethyst, that's fine, but I would recommend you keep an open mind. I do believe in the healing power of amethyst. It’s why I keep a large amethyst geode in my office, and it’s why I include amethyst in Global Healing’s Detox Foot Pads™ — the only foot pads on the market today to use genuine gemstones, like amethyst and tourmaline to help draw toxins out of the body.
References (12)
- Cortezao, S.u., W.m. Pontuschka, M.s.f. Da Rocha, and A.r. Blak. "Depolarisation Currents (TSDC) and Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) of Iron in Amethyst." Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 64.7 (2003): 1151-155. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
- Hall, Judy. Crystal User's Handbook : An Illustrated Guide. Grand Rapids: Sterling Co., Inc., 2002.
- Committee On Diegest of Literature. "Quartz, Isomorphs, and Silicates" Digest of Literature on Dielectrics (1971): n. pag. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
- Inoue, Shojiro, and Morihiro Kabaya. Biological Activities Caused by Far-Infrared Radiation. International Journal of Biomereology 33 (1989): 145-50.
- Yu, Shi-Yau, Jen-Hwey Chiu, Shiaw-Der Yang, Yu-Chen Hsu, Wing-Yiu Lui, and Chew-Wun Wu. Biological effect of far-infrared therapy on increasing skin microcirculation in rats. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 22 (2006): 78-86.
- Li, Ke, Zheng Zhang, Ning Fei Liu, Shao Qing Feng, Yun Tong, Ju Fang Zhang, Joannis Constantinides, Davide Lazzeri, Luca Grassetti, Fabio Nicoli, and Yi Xin Zhang. "Efficacy and Safety of Far Infrared Radiation in Lymphedema Treatment: Clinical Evaluation and Laboratory Analysis." Lasers in Medical Science 32.3 (2017): 485-94. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
- Lee, Seung-Cheol, Seok-Moon Jeong, So-Young Kim, Hae-Ryong Park, K. C. Nam, and D. U. Ahn. Effect of far-infrared radiation and heat treatment on the antioxidant activity of water extracts from peanut hulls. Food Chemistry 94 (2006): 489-93.
- Toyokawa, H., Y. Matsui, J. Uhara, H. Tsuchiya, S. Teshima, H. Nakanishi, A. H. Kwon, Y. Azuma, T. Nagaoka, T. Ogawa, and Y. Kamiyama. "Promotive Effects of Far-infrared Ray on Full-thickness Skin Wound Healing in Rats." Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.). U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2003. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
- Sawai, Jun, Koji Sagara, Atsushi Hashimoto, Hideo Igarashi, and Masaru Shimizu. Inactivation characteristics shown by enzymes and bacteria treated with far-infrared radiative heating. International Journal of Food Science and Technology 38 (2003): 661-67.
- Sawai, Jun, Koji Sagara, Atsushi Hashimoto, Hideo Igarashi, and Masaru Shimizu. "Inactivation Characteristics Shown by Enzymes and Bacteria Treated with Far-infrared Radiative Heating." International Journal of Food Science and Technology 38.6 (2003): 661-67. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.
- Lee, Byung U., Mikhail Yermakov, and Sergey A. Grinshpun. Removal of fine and ultrafine particles from indoor air environments by the unipolar ion emission. Atmospheric Environment 38 (2004): 4815-823.
- Lee, Byung U., Mikhail Yermakov, and Sergey A. Grinshpun. Unipolar ion emission enhances respiratory protection against fine and ultrafine particles. Journal of Aerosol Science 35 (2004): 1359-368.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
