Both positive and negative ions are necessary components for life. Neutral air without these elements will not sustain life. The problem is that too many people are constantly exposed to a positive ion poisoned atmosphere and this directly contributes to the disease state. Getting naturally occurring exposure to negative ions, the way humans were always intended to live, is the antidote.
Created in nature as air molecules break apart (as a result of sunlight, radiation, ultraviolet rays, the vital energy of plants, and moving air and water),negative ions are not harmful even if their concentration is high.
Here is a graphic definition of a negative ion:
After thunderstorms, as raindrops strike the earth, there is a splitting of the water droplets into larger positive particles and smaller particles containing the negative charge. This is known as the Lenard effect. The smaller negative particles are repelled away from the negative surface of the earth back up into the air. What is occurring is that as electrons leave water molecules they attach themselves to oxygen molecules. Once an atom or molecule acquires more electrons than protons, it instantly becomes a negative ion.
Artificially created positive ions of modern living (see list in sidebar) cause chaos and disharmony within the human body. Negative ions that occur naturally in air, ground, plants and water enhance our own internal electrical conductivity, therefore the more our everyday actions produce negatively charged outputs from these natural sources, the more energy and vitality we will have.
Earth’s ground (sand, soil, grass) are abundant with negative ions that come from the rocks beneath the ground, the sun, cosmic radiation and from lightning strikes. We can absorb these vitality generating negative ions simply by connecting our bare skin with this ground either by laying on it or walking barefoot.
As soon as skin makes contact with natural negative ion ‘surfaces,’ a natural pressure gradient between the negatively charged earth and the body occurs so that these vitality-charging ions are immediately transferred into the body through the skin and for the entire length of time that both skin/body and earth remain in contact.
This phenomenon is known as ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding.’ Grounding improves the body’s circulation by enabling the blood to flow more smoothly. When it comes to health and radiance of the skin, good blood circulation is vital. Earthing also supports the flow of vital energy and enhances cellular (also important to the skin) and brain function.
Negative ions also help restore the body back to its optimal pH level. A shift occurs in your body’s indicators of the blood acid-base balance towards alkalinity. Enjoying grounding by laying on the earth can actually assist to alkalize the body and skin.
Cosmetics and fragrances including shampoo, conditioner and body washes derived from synthetic ingredients create a plethora of harmful positive ions bombarding skin, hair and body. Fluoride toothpastes also are major positive ion generators.
It makes complete sense then that only natural skin, hair and personal care products should be used if we want to reduce our exposure to positive ion bombardment.
Depending on what time of day you enjoy the sunlight, your skin and body will be pelted with either positive or negative ions. The sun emits different light frequencies and energy depending on its height and trajectory in the sky. The midday sun causes major proton generation as it dumps masses of positive hydrogen ions into the atmosphere which then hit your eyes and skin. But we can offset this midday positive ion sun damage by enjoying the sunrise and sunset each of which generates a copious buffer of negative ions.
Theoretically, negative ions may slow signs of aging and cell damage if the free radicals in skin cells are holding a positive charge. (Negative ions bond to free radicals holding a positive charge.)
Since the skin is quite permeable to negative ions, quality natural skin care products may be better absorbed and moisture may be maintained better in the skin.
Studies demonstrate accelerated wound healing when exposed to negative ions. One among them, a 1986 study published in General Physiology and Biophysics, showed that accelerated wound healing occurred in rats whose skin had been deprived of epidermis and then exposed to negative ions for three hours. The researchers also found that harmful microorganisms (Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus) proliferated on oxygen deprived skin but were killed once negative ions were pulsed onto the injured tissue.
Exposure to negatively ionized air has been shown to increase oxygenation of the lungs and vital capacity ciliary activity. Negative ions help to relieve headaches and respiratory conditions and even assist to regulate blood pressure. All types of beneficial responses take place, including simply a sense of profound well-being, as a result of friendly negative ions.
Read our updated article on the topic of negative ions published July 2021: 8 Ways to Expose Yourself to Earth’s Healing Negative Ions.
Modern living is causing a positive ion poisoned atmosphere. Western technology is distorting the electrical charge of the air where people spend most of their time.
Here is a list of offenders:
man-made fragrances and chemicals
modern structures of concrete, steel, plastic
mobile phones
cell towers
power lines
office buildings with central heat and A/C
hermetically sealed high-rise apartments
automobile exhaust fumes
off gassing of man-made plastics, paint, etc.
factory fumes
airplanes
synthetic fibers
smoking
air pollution
industrial waste
state-of-the-art insulation (actually prevents negative ions from entering the building)
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Endnotes:
Donsbach Ph.D., D. Sc., N. D., D. C., Kurt W. Dr. Donsbach Tells You What You Always Wanted to Know About Negative Ions. The International Institute of Natural Health Science. Huntington Beach, CA. 1981.
Mindell R.Ph., M. H., Ph. D., Earl. The Happiness Effect: The Positive Benefits of Negative Ions. Square One. November 2015.
Matadeen, Harry. Negative Ions: The Grand Unifier Of Health And Life. Self-published. September 2019.
Robertson, Sheena. “Negative Ions and Anti Aging.” Guardian Liberty Voice, 4 Dec. 2020, guardianlv.com/2020/12/negative-ions-and-anti-aging/.
“Role of Vegetation in Enhancing Radon Concentration and Ion Production in the Atmosphere.” Environmental Science & Technology, pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es201152g.