Amber is as old as time itself, dating back millions of years. And yet, it is still believed in today and used for its magnificent healing power for treating joint pain, arthritic ailments, and even teething pain for children. Baltic amber is also used in the cosmetics industry and in other fields as well.

Baltic Amber - since time began

For many centuries since time began, people have used nature’s bounty for traditional medicine. What is sometimes referred to as alternative medicine is actually a mainstay medicine in many parts of the world today. As more and more people are reaching out for natural healing and pain relief, there is one remedy that is prevalent today and has stood the test of time -- Natural Baltic Amber. And with good reason. Natural Baltic Amber has unique properties unlike any other amber in the world. Famous Hippocrates (460-377 BC), father of medicine, in his works described medicinal properties and methods of application of Baltic amber that were later used by scientists until the Middle Ages. In ancient Rome Baltic amber was used as medicine and as a protection against different diseases. Calistratus famous physician of those times, wrote that amber protects from madness, powder of amber mixed with honey cures throat, ear and eye diseases and taken with water cures stomach illnesses. Pliny the Younger noted that Roman peasant women wore amber medallions not only as adornments, but also as a remedy for "swollen glands and sore throat and palate." Persian scientist Ibn Sina (Avicenna) called amber remedy for many diseases. There was a belief in eastern countries that amber smoke strengthens human spirit and gives courage. In Asian countries "amber syrup", a mixture of succinic acid and opium, was used as a tranquilizer and antispasmodic.

In the Middle Ages Baltic amber beads were even worn for the treatment of jaundice. It was believed that the magic force of this yellow stone could absorb unhealthy yellowness of the skin and the weakness of the organism. Terms Oleum succini (amber oil), Balsamum succini (amber balsam), Extractum succini (amber extract) were often used in the recipes and records of the alchemists of those times.

In former times Lithuanian tribes employed such incense to drive away evil spirits from the dead and help the soul travel to good spirits. The newly born babies were fumigated so that they could grow faster, the newly-weds - that they could live happily and those going to war so that they could return with spoils of victory. Before World War I amber was still used for treatment of various diseases, e.g. tincture made of pieces of amber and vodka was thought to increase sexual potency of men. In Lithuania and in tsarist Russia nannies had to wear amber beads to protect themselves and babies from diseases. As late as before World War II, especially in Germany,Baltic amber beads were put on babies to make the eruption of teeth less painful and make the teeth grow stronger.

Historically, treatments for healing and pain relief were made only from the natural environment such as minerals, plants, berries and animals. The common belief was that the more ingredients in a medicine, the stronger the medicine became and the more powerful the results. Interesting to note that Nicolaus Copernicus documented that his formulas for medicine included 22 specific ingredients --- and one of them was Baltic amber. We recognize that amber has been around a very long time. But what is it that amber possesses that has made it a unique contributor to health since the beginning of recorded time? It’s simple, actually. It has a substance – or ingredient – called succinic acid. A powerful anti oxidant that helps fight toxic free radicals and disruptions of the cardiac rhythm, succinic acid has been shown to stimulate neural system recovery and bolster the immune system, and help compensate for energy drain in the body and brain, boosting awareness, concentration and reflexes, and reducing stress. Baltic amber contains 3-8% of succinic acid, a scientifically examined medical substance used in contemporary medicine. The highest content of the acid is found in the amber cortex--the external layer of the stone. There is much documentation regarding the power of succinic acid. Albert The Great, born in 1193 who later became a Dominican monk, called Natural Baltic Amber "Succinium” and stated that it was the most effective medicine of the time followed by other substances such as ocastoreum, mors, camphor, tartarus, and aurum. People of that time also made amber tinctures from beer, wine and water and declared them effective against everything from stomach aches to rheumatism. Recent scientific research has also proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human organism. It strengthens the body, improves immunity, the course of energy-related processes and the balance of acids. Succinic acid was analyzed by the pioneer of modern bacteriology, the Nobel Prize winner, Robert Kock (1886), who confirmed its positive influence and discovered that there is no risk of the accumulation of surplus amounts of succinic acid in the human organism, even after the introduction of considerable amounts into the body.

In present day times, tens of effective medicines containing succinic acid have been manufactured and patented, especially in the USA and Russia. Of particular value are pharmaceuticals preventing the aging of human cells, which use succinic acid as an inhibitor (an agent slowing down or totally stopping the loss of) of potassim ions and an antioxidant. Therefore, the acid may be called a scientifically described, modern elixir of youth. Succinic acid is also a valuable product for sportspeople. It is not a stimulant improving one's effort on a single event basis, but rather a stimulator of a balanced, comprehensive development. Dr. Veniamin Khazanov of the RAS' Institute of Pharmacology at the Tomsk Scientific Center wrote: "For aged people, succinic acid has proved to be indispensable. It is capable of restoring the energy balance at the cellular level, which is often upset as the years go by, and helps the patient regain his youthful energy." He says also that it has proven the equal or better of many commercial drugs and is significantly less expensive. Further, research at the University of Hamburg, Germany confirms the safe and positive effects of succinic and fumaric acids in cellular metabolism.

Succinic acid is found in many contemporary plants and is a common and indispensable food ingredient. However, deficiencies of succinic acid are frequent as it is rarely found in nature. Even unripe gooseberries and rhubarb stalks, which are the richest in the acid, contain a thousand times less of the acid than the Baltic amber succinite. Succinates (most often calcium succinate, potassium succinate, and sodium succinate,) which excellently stimulate the development and proper functioning of the human organism, are used for medicinal purposes. Succinates are very effective after long-lasting illnesses and injuries. They make it possible for the pacient to regain immunity to disease as well as intellectual fitness complete with the ability to concentrate. Amber oil is another universal medicine recognized as very effective, especially for all rheumatic diseases. Giacomo Fantuzzi so reported from his 1652 journey:

...A very valuable, strong, acrid and thick oil is made from amber. The oil has a thousand beneficial properties as specified in the formula I got in Gdansk, where the process has been developed to perfection, and the oil from white amber is believed to be the best and the most expensive...”

Amber oil permeates the skin very fast, penetrating deep into the tissue and exerting a positive influence, leading to the introduction of the majority of negative ions. It improves blood circulation and eases muscle pains. Following the influence of Oriental medicine, amber oil is used for massage. In this case, its considerable bactericidal and electrostatic properties play the most beneficial role. Rosin is another product of dry distillation of amber. It is used for the manufacture of high-quality impregnates and bonding agents as well as varnishes which for centuries have been used in the manufacture of stringed musical instruments. Amber treatment as described by Russian doctors and scientists:

for internal use: powder and tincture as well as succinic acid and succinates; suppositories with honey; inhalation (smoke from burnt amber);

for external use: ointments, amber oil, poultices and massages with the use of amber powder, massage with a polished nugget, acupuncture with needles with amber tops, baths in amber stones in room temperature and in temperature increased to 37-38 degrees Celsius, walking barefoot on a layer of fine amber, wearing amber jewellery, amulets, necklaces and bracelets.

Current research shows that the micronization of amber improves its assimilation by the stress-weakened organism of contemporary man. The unfavorable environmental conditions prevailing today block the natural flow of energy-related processes in cells. Blocks affect cellular metabolism and significantly weaken the immune system, but the natural energy of amber is able to stimulate its renewal.

This is confirmed by research carried out by a Kaliningrad-based doctor, Nikolai Moshkov (2002). He obtained fast and fully effective therapeutic results by rubbing very fine powder from pure energizing amber into the ill places (head, spine, thyroid gland, chest, limbs).

We are surrounded by all sorts of electrical devices: radios, television sets, microwave ovens, hair-driers, shavers, computers and mobile phones, which affect our organism. Modern research proves that we may protect ourselves against their negative influence by making friends with Baltic amber wearing amber jewellery, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings or pendants, or carrying a raw amber figurine or nugget in our pocket. Warming up, amber changes ionization, positively influencing our frame of mind and rebuilding the disturbed electrostatic field. We will be happy and full of energy once again, and we will attract luck.

The Baltic amber-succinite is a natural fossilized resin. Initially it must have been used by plants as an antibiotic against viruses, substance healing cuts or a plaster for wound dressing. Its mysterious, not yet fully recognized unusual properties have always aroused curiosity and exerted fascination on people. They evoked awe and respect, but never fear or dread as was the case with some precious stones. Amber inspired magicians, doctors, scientists and artists. They could see that it is a stone which is alive, which is constantly changing. Not much has changed since then in this respect.

Amber is trying to communicate with us, but we are still unable to understand it and discover its secrets. We do not even know which tree produced this fantastic resin 50 million years ago. There is magical power in the Baltic amber (succinite). It is an exclusively good power, worth getting familiar with and it is for our protection. . Current research confirms what people have felt and believed in for centuries. There is magical power in the Baltic amber (succinite). It is an exclusively good power, worth getting familiar with and it is for our protection.

Certainly, that’s a very big complement to Natural Baltic Amber but for those of us who have grown up with this amazing fossilized resin from an ancient forest, we are happy to have amber in our ordinary everyday lives -- for its power to heal, restore well being and relieve pain and stress. It is a friend that we just can do without. Literature

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