Unlocking the Healing Powers and Medical Wonders of Minerals
When you think of minerals, rocks, and crystals, health and healing might not be the first things that come to mind. Surprisingly, while most people aren’t aware, there’s a strong connection between geology and medicine. If things like coal, mercury, and lead can negatively affect our health, then why can’t other minerals from the Earth provide benefits too?
Robert B. Finkelman addresses this in his article “Health Benefits of Geologic Materials and Geologic Processes,” published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. He details several medical applications of minerals, stating that common products like Tums (calcite), Milk of Magnesia (magnesite), talcum powder (talc), and toothpaste (quartz, rutile) all benefit from minerals. Additionally, antiperspirants (bauxite), calcium supplements (ground-up coral), and various medicines also rely on minerals. Finkelman highlights elements like arsenic in Trisenox, mercury in dental amalgam and mercurochrome, boron in boric acid, selenium in dandruff shampoos, sulfur in drugs, barium in enemas and X-rays, bismuth in Pepto Bismol, and zinc in skin ointments as active ingredients.
Different minerals play crucial roles across the medical field. They are key in everything from curing diseases to facilitating surgeries. Here are some examples of how specific minerals are used:
– **Zeolites** have blood-clotting properties, valuable for military and medical personnel. They also help in nuclear radiation cleanup and may assist cancer researchers.
– **Gypsum** is used to create plaster casts for broken bones.
– **Malachite** has antimicrobial properties.
– **Titanium, platinum, and gold** are used in repairing bones and teeth.
– **Silicon** is essential in medical devices like pacemakers.
– **Rubies** find use in surgical lasers and gallstone removal.
– **Lithium** is a common treatment for mood stabilization, particularly in bipolar disorder.
– **Selenium** not only fights dandruff but also shows promise in cancer treatments.
While minerals in our diet are well-known for being crucial to health, their role in healing often goes unnoticed. For those looking to adopt a holistic approach to wellness, incorporating minerals into your health routine might be beneficial. They present a natural, often cost-effective way to address various health issues. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the myriad ways minerals support our healing processes.
