Researchers from the former Soviet Union have noted that more than 5,000 scientific documents support the concept that high doses of negative ions have positive effects, while the opposite is true with exposure to high doses of positive ions. They were among the first to become convinced of the benefits of negative ion treatment for individuals with various illnesses, especially asthma, bronchitis and upper respiratory problems.

Ion therapy has also been used extensively in the Middle East - especially Israel, Europe and the Orient. In the U.S. holistic health practitioners have used it primarily, although ion therapy did enjoy some popularity in the 1960s for the treatment of burn patients. Its greatest use has been in the treatment of the roughly 25% of the population that is "weather sensitive," who without treatment can be very nearly incapacitated when pollutant, and particularly positive ion, levels rise. The Soviets published numerous reports indicating that even brief periods of negative ion exposure (15 minutes a day for 25 days for example) resulted in improved responses to training in runners, boxers, swimmers and other athletes. These responses included greater rates of gains, in both strength and endurance, as well as in improved psychological characteristics, sleep habits and appetite. The greater the level of physical stress, such as from training overload, the greater the effect the ion treatments seemed to have. This finding agrees with the beliefs of the leading ion researchers worldwide that those who benefit the most include the very young, the old, those most severely stressed and those with compromised immune systems.

"positive ion poisoning"
Along with all the benefits modern technology has provided, unfortunately the 20th century industrial environment has drastically upset ion levels and the "natural" electrical quality of the air. While very few human activities add the beneficial small negative ions to the atmosphere, many practices increase the levels of positive ions. Positive ions are also produced by combustion, by electronic apparatus and by synthetic materials and fabrics - all of which are extensively used in urban societies. And outdoor air quality, while important, is not the major issue. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that average people spend 80-90% of their lives indoors, where the air is usually worse. Most indoor time is typically spent in relatively tightly sealed "energy efficient" buildings, where many pollutants - both gases and particulates - become concentrated and reach their highest levels. It's also indoors - including inside cars, trucks, airplanes, etc. - where, as Albert Krueger, MD (the late UC Berkeley researcher and founder of the Air Ion Research laboratory) argued, most individuals are exposed to either ion depletion or a condition called "positive ion poisoning." The problem is further compounded by central heating and cooling systems and by the effects of people crowded together and breathing in confined spaces.

Health & Performance Effects:
Dr. Albert P. Krueger*, a microbiologist and experimental pathologist at the University of California, found that an astonishingly small quantity of negative ions could kill bacteria and quickly take them out of the air so that they were less likely to infect people. This is particularly useful to patients recovering from burns in particular.

(Krueger, A. P. "The Action of Air Ions on Bacteria." Journal of General Physiology. Berkeley: University of California, 1957.)

Research papers from St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, Australia's National University (A.N.U), the Pavlov Institute in Russia, all showed that improved lung capacity and relief from asthma symptoms are achieved quite rapidly by exposure to small negative air ions.

Affecting serotonin levels- (Serotonin is a brain chemical related to mood and stress. Anti-depressant drugs, e.g. Prozac, alter brain metabolism of serotonin). In 1985 a European research project exposed over 100 out patients at a mental health clinic to negative ionization for just 40 minutes per day. After only a few sessions,50% of depressive patients reported a return to normal; 75% of headache patients had their pain disappear, 80% of insomnia patients returned to normal sleep patterns, and 100% of anxiety sufferers said their symptoms had disappeared.

A study relating to the relativity of increased negative ions and increases in Immunoglobulin A (IgA) from Australia's La Trobe University states. "such a finding is suggestive of an enhancement of the immune response as a result of negative ionization . IgA guards against viral and bacterial attachment and colonization of mucous membrane." In other words it helps stop lung infections.

In an interesting twist, Josh Beckon, a member of the Department of Cardiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, writes in an Internet posting that in order to increase left-hemisphere activity (linear, language, logical), one can block the left nostril and engage in "forced unilateral nostril breathing." Likewise, to increase right-hemisphere activity (creative, holistic, emotional), the right nostril should be blocked. This practice increases the supply of negative ions to a specific hemisphere.

Effects of Negative ion Exposure:
Studies have shown that some people become very depressed when negative ion counts are very low, or in the wintertime (seasonal depression).

A high negative ion exposure appeared associated with feeling better about self, less sensitive, and more responsive or innervated (energized). -From August, 1982 issue of Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine.

"Results indicated that subjects had faster reaction times and reported feeling significantly more energetic under negative Air Ion conditions then under normal air conditions." - From Influence of Negative Air Ions on Human performance and Mood. "Fresh country air has negative ions that have been demonstrated to both treat and prevent depression. "From Depression: The Way Out, by Neil Nedley, M.D. REF Even though they are not a "medical device", Salt Crystal Lamps, by emitting negative ions, significantly reduce a myriad of indoor air pollutants. Negative ions have known benefits, and may provide relief from sinus, migraine headaches allergies and hay fever, reduce the severity of asthma attacks, enhance the immune system, increase alertness, increase work productivity and concentration, increase lung capacity and reduce susceptibility to colds and flu.

Non-illuminated crystals (cool Salt Crystal, underground Salt Mines) produce Negative Ionizing effect, however the Salt Crystal Lamps which are illuminated from inside with a lamp (warm Salt Crystal) produces and emits a higher number of Negative Ions and delivers a more efficient Ionizing Effect. Today, the health benefits of Negative Ions are well recognized all over the world. While most ionizers on the market are man-made machines, the Salt Crystal Lamps are a beautiful, less costly, maintenance free, natural alternative of Mother Nature's to improve air quality. With time, the Salt Crystal Lamps will not reduce in size, color or shape, and will not loose weight, or their ionizing effect!

Besides Air Ionization and Negative Ions production, Salt lamps Illuminated by a light bulb, also produce a beautiful, pleasant to the eyes, mind, and soul, natural Glow of different colors and shades from orange to yellow. This Light Color Glow and Ionized, Clean, Fresh Air creates a special atmosphere of calming meditative balance, tranquility, peace and well-being for humans.

In Europe, bioenergotherapists & homoeopathists recommend Salt Crystal Lamps to assist in the treatment of many health conditions. Salt Crystal Lamps are highly suitable for daily use near TV's and PC's, around smokers, in Offices and homes with Air-Conditioning, during Massage Therapy, in Meditation rooms and anywhere else you want to restore or preserve the natural air quality. (Once you experienced these delightful additions to your home or business you will want more than one!!!)