What Is Amethyst Gemstone?
Amethyst is a well-loved and somewhat rare type of quartz. This gemstone is quite hard and is often found in geodes around the world. It typically appears as either crystals or in mass form. Its beautiful purple hue is likely due to tiny amounts of iron or manganese within its crystal structure. Many of the amethysts available commercially have been heat-treated to achieve a darker shade of purple.
Historically, amethyst’s shades of purple, lilac, and lavender have been linked to royalty. Additionally, these crystals have been used throughout history to address various health issues, from alcohol addiction and sleep disorders to pain and mental health problems. While scientific research hasn’t definitively proven that amethyst can alleviate these conditions, new studies suggest that amethyst may have powerful detoxifying properties.
How Can Amethyst Help You?
Amethyst generates small but detectable magnetic fields. While high levels of magnetic fields, especially from electronics, can be harmful, the naturally occurring magnetic fields from amethyst may be beneficial. Since our bodies have their own magnetic fields, it is believed that amethyst can interact with and exchange energy with us. Additionally, amethyst absorbs and reflects far-infrared radiation, a type of long-wavelength radiation. Although controversial, far-infrared radiation is being researched for its potential health benefits. Here are eight possible benefits:
Cell Regeneration
Far-infrared radiation is known to promote healthy cell growth and regeneration. Studies have shown that increasing infrared radiation can boost energy levels in the body, encouraging the growth of healthy cells. While most of these studies have been conducted on animals, the results suggest that similar effects could occur in humans.
Sleep Support
Research on both animals and humans indicates that far-infrared regulation can influence sleep patterns. The mild heat emitted by amethyst crystals may help calm the body, potentially supporting a healthy sleep cycle.
Blood Circulation
Far-infrared radiation has been shown to improve blood circulation, particularly in the capillaries of the skin. Initially, scientists thought this benefit was due to the heat from infrared radiation, but recent studies have found that the radiation itself, not the heat, enhances circulation.
Fluid Motility
Far-infrared radiation not only improves blood circulation but also increases the movement of lymph fluid, which may help maintain normal fluid balance in tissues.
Mood Support
In a recent study, subjects who slept with far-infrared radiation-emitting discs under their pillows reported a significant increase in overall life satisfaction compared to those with placebo discs.
Antioxidant Activity
Far-infrared radiation may boost antioxidant activity in certain foods, which is beneficial for health since antioxidants are known for their health-promoting properties.
Wound Support
Far-infrared radiation can enhance repair mechanisms in skin tissue, particularly in patients with diabetes-induced skin damage. It may also benefit those with skin damage from chronic conditions or reconstructive surgeries.
Bacteria Fighter
Studies have shown that far-infrared radiation can inhibit bacterial growth by disrupting specific growth-promoting enzymes. This effect is unique to far-infrared radiation and is not replicated by regular heat therapy.
These are just a few of the potential benefits of far-infrared radiation from amethyst gemstones. Now, let’s explore the benefits of the negative ions emitted by amethyst.
3 Benefits of Amethyst-Generated Negative Ion Emission
Ions are atoms or molecules with an uneven number of protons and electrons. Ions with more electrons than protons are called negative ions due to their negative charge. These ions naturally seek out other molecules to combine with. Some theories suggest that negative ions can remove certain free radicals from the body. Many believe that amethyst crystals emit negative ions, which can offer several health benefits.
Removing Toxic Particles from the Body
Negative ions seem to attract and remove toxic particles from the body, regardless of particle size.
Respiratory Support
If negative ions can remove toxic particles from the body, they may also help clear these particles from the lungs, potentially aiding those with occasional congestion or other respiratory issues. However, more research is needed, especially on humans, to confirm this benefit.
Removing Aerosol
Negative ions can eliminate hazardous chemicals like aerosol from the air and body, which is crucial for maintaining health.
How to Use Amethyst
While using gemstones for healing is controversial, it’s worth keeping an open mind. I believe in the healing power of amethyst, which is why I keep a large amethyst geode in my office and include amethyst in Global Healing’s Detox Foot Pads. These are the only foot pads on the market that use genuine gemstones like amethyst and tourmaline to help draw toxins out of the body.
