Negative Ions Naturally Create Positive Benefits
There’s something in the air and while it may not be love, some say it’s the next best thing—negative ions. It’s why you feel so good when you’re outdoors near the water.
Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments, like mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the “mood chemical” seratonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost energy.
In our daily lives, air pollution has become so serious that the negative ions are disappearing gradually and the air quality is getting worse. Polluted air and the interiors of rooms with electronic equipment have an excess of positive ions, which eliminate the beneficial negative ions. Rooms with computers and TV’s, for example, may have almost zero levels of negative ions. When there are too many positive ions, it has been shown, people may often experience headaches, insomnia, hypersensitivity, fatigue and respiratory problems. The body also reacts with aggravation of arthritis and carpal-tunnel syndrome.
Ions are molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge. They are created in nature as air molecules break apart due to sunlight, radiation, and moving air and water. While part of the euphoria is simply being around these tranquil settings and away from the normal pressures of home and work, the air circulating near the water is said to contain tens of thousands of negative ions—much more than the average home or office building, which contain dozens or hundreds, and many register a flat zero.
According to a feature on WebMD, Columbia University studies of people with winter and chronic depression show that negative ions relieve depression as much as antidepressants.
“Generally speaking, negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental energy,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.
“They also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation.” This may be good news for those who are sensitive to vog.
Negative ions serve to disinfect and clean the air after they combine with the bacteria and cause the death of the bacteria. The negative ion is a cleansing agent as well as a “vitamin of the air.”
These are a few of the reasons we see negative-ion generators being sold. Now there’s another product intended to generate negative ions and you carry it with you everywhere—it’s clothing. A Japanese company, Teijin Group, manufactures clothing made of a special, negative-ion-generating fiber, which happens as it rubs against the skin. The fiber, called Teviron, has won the highest awards in Japan for its fiber technology, innovation and chemistry. It generates negative ions at a level 10 times higher than in nature around water. Among its properties are the ability to breathe, insulate and wick moisture away from the body, better than cotton. Its effects are balancing PH, stimulating circulation, plus all the benefits of negative ion exposure. Products include scarf, hat, underwear, outerwear, socks, gloves, and blankets, as well as supports for ankle, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and waist. The negative ion charge is permanent, so clothing can be used over a long period of time.
“It feels good,” according to Rosa Louie, who says the clothing and blankets helped her recover from severe injuries suffered in an auto accident. “I didn’t need plastic surgery on my face after it had deep cuts. After one week they were healed. My doctor couldn’t believe it. The swelling and pain were gone much faster than with medication, with no side effects.” Rosa also reports improvements in circulation, varicose veins, hair loss and graying. “My hair is now all black and silky without dye.”
Rosa, owner of Clothing for Health, said she was introduced to the negative ion clothing by a friend because of her poor health. She had insomnia, was easily irritated and had prematurely aging skin and hair. In addition she suffered poor circulation and had varicose veins needing surgery. She says she experienced many health improvements after using the negative ion clothing. It saved her money for surgery and medication and also improved her family life and attitude. She looks much younger than her 52 years.
Barbara Moore, owner of Dragonfly Ranch in Honaunau, says she wears the underwear every day, while practicing yoga and when sleeping. “You wouldn’t think you would wear long underwear in Hawaii,” she says, “but it feels comfortable. I think it’s body-regulating. I also think it detoxifies the body.” She also wears the toe socks to keep her feet clean and warm.
Barbara says she also knows people who have gotten rid of pain and even constipation when wearing the clothing. “I had friends try using it on knees, wrists, and ankles with literally overnight results.” ❖
Clothing for Health will have exhibits and presentations, where individual questions may be answered, at several upcoming events on the Big Island:
Informal presentations at Dragonfly Ranch, Honaunau.
Sundays, Nov.15 and Dec.13 from 4 to 6 p.m. RSVP Rosa Louie 808.737.6334
Hawai‘i Healing Garden Festival
Sunday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook
Information provided in this article is not intended to represent the opinions of the publishers.
