AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Niwa Institute for Immunology, Tosashimizu, Japan
SOURCE: Int J Biometeorol 1993 Sep;37(3):133-8 NLM CIT. ID: 94011499
ABSTRACT:
Tourmaline (electric stone, a type of granite stone), common granite
stone, ceramic disks, hot spring
water and human palmar energy (called “Kikoh” in Japan and China), all
which emit electromagnetic
radiation in the far infrared region (wavelength 4-14 microns).
These materials were thus examined for effects on human leukocyte
activity and on lipid peroxidation
of unsaturated fatty acids. It was revealed that these materials
significantly increased intracellular
calcium ion concentration, phagocytosis, and generation of reactive
oxygen species in neutrophils,
and the blastogenetic response of lymphocytes to mitogens.
Chemotactic activity by neutrophils was also enhanced by exposure to
tourmaline and the palm of
“Kikohshi” i.e., a person who heals professionally by the laying on of
hands.
Despite the increase in reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils,
lipid peroxidation from
unsaturated fatty acid was markedly inhibited by these four materials.
The results suggest that materials emitting electromagnetic radiation in
the far infrared range, which
are widely used in Japan for cosmetic, therapeutic, and preservative
purposes, appear capable of
potentiating leukocyte functions without promoting oxidative injury.
MAIN MESH SUBJECTS: *Electromagnetic Fields Leukocytes / PHYSIOLOGY /
*RADIATION EFFECTS