Minerals and Rocks. Rocks Aggregates (mixture—can be separated) of minerals.
What Are Some Beneficial Health Effects of Rocks and Minerals?
Transcript of What Are Some Beneficial Health Effects of Rocks and Minerals?
Potential Health Benefits of Geologic Materials
•Essential Nutrients•Pharmaceuticals •Talismans and Amulets•Hot Springs •Geophagia (?)
Pharmaceuticals
This pharmaceutical, Trisenox,is composed mainly ofArsenic Trioxide. Acontroversial compound, usedto treat Acute-PromyelocyticLeukemia (APL) in relapsepatients. In several reportsfrom China, this compoundhas been shown to inducecomplete remission in all APLvictims studied.
Elements, Minerals, and Rocks Used inPharmaceuticals and Health Care Products
• Arsenic - pharamacuticals• Mercury – mercurochrome, dental amalgam• Calcium – antacids• Various Elements – in vitamin supplements• Boron – Boric Acid• Selenium – Skin Treatment• Sulfur – Sulfur Drugs
Elements and Minerals Used inPharmaceuticals and Health Care Products
• Magnesite – Milk of Magnesia• Barium – Enemas and in X-radiography• Bismuth – settles upset stomachs• Calcite –Tums• Rutile – toothpaste• Gypsum – Plaster of Paris• Talc – Talcum powder
Elements, Minerals, and Rocks Used inPharmaceuticals and Health Care Products
• Kaolin – koapectate• Coal Tar – skin products• Pumice – Lava soap• Bauxite (Al) – Anti perspirtant, toothpaste• Fluorite – fluoridation• Halite - Preservative• Zinc oxide – skin ointments
Fe, Cu, Zn,Se
K, Ca, Mn
P, S, Cl
Sr, BaBrMo, IO, Na, Mg
Rb, SnLi, Al, NiB, F, CrSi, V, CoH, C, N
POSSIBLYESSEN-
TIAL
TOSOME
SPECIES
TOSOME
CLASSES
TOSEVERALCLASSES
TO ALL
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTSESSENTIAL ELEMENTSTO ANIMALS AND VEGETATIONTO ANIMALS AND VEGETATION
MAJOR ELEMENTS MAJOR ELEMENTS TRACE ELEMENTS TRACE ELEMENTSUSGS - FAQScarpelli
ESSENTIAL MICRONUTRIENTS (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn,ESSENTIAL MICRONUTRIENTS (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, V, Zn, F, I, Si) Mo, Se, V, Zn, F, I, Si)
NON ESSENTIALS (Be, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Ti etc.)NON ESSENTIALS (Be, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Ti etc.)
PATTERNS OF INFLUENCE OF THE ELEMENTSPATTERNS OF INFLUENCE OF THE ELEMENTSassimilationassimilation increaseincrease
““Everything is poisonous, nothing is poisonous. It is just a question of dosage.”Everything is poisonous, nothing is poisonous. It is just a question of dosage.”
MACRONUTRIENTS (C, Ca, Cl, P, Mg, K, Na, S, O, H)MACRONUTRIENTS (C, Ca, Cl, P, Mg, K, Na, S, O, H) deficit good no difference
deficit good toxic lethal
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tolerable toxic lethal
F.R.Siegel – “EnvironmentalF.R.Siegel – “Environmental GeochemistryGeochemistry””
ACTION OF MACRONUTRIENTSACTION OF MACRONUTRIENTS
Bone constituent as apatite; participates in most body chemicalreactions. Excess turns hair and bones brittle.
P
Active in hydrosaline equilibrium; transmission of nervousimpulses and transport of metabolites.
Na
In bones, together with Ca; activation of muscular contractions;body temperature control; component of several enzymes.
Mg
Maintenance of corporeal fluids; muscular contractions andnervous impulses.
K
Maintenance of blood pressure; vital as acid constituent duringdigestion.
Cl
Strengthening of bones and teeth; muscular activity; bloodcoagulation; cellular permeability. Excess may originate liver andbladder stones and renal insufficiency.
Ca
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G.Cortecci – “Geologia e Salute” andG.Cortecci – “Geologia e Salute” and othersothersF.R. Siegel – “EnvironmentalF.R. Siegel – “Environmental Geochemistry”Geochemistry”
O.Selinus e A.Frank – “Medical GeologyO.Selinus e A.Frank – “Medical Geology””
ACTION OF MICRONUTRIENTSACTION OF MICRONUTRIENTS
Required by thyroidal hormones, temperature control, bodygrowth, reproduction etc. Deficiency causes abnormal growth of thethyroid.
I
Give strength to teeth and bones, avoiding dental caries andosteoporosis. Excess causes fluorosis of teeth and bones.
F
Component of oxidizing enzymes during metabolism of energysources; active in the synthesis of hemoglobin, in keratization andin skin and hair pigments. Deficiency leads to osteoporosis and lownumber of white blood cells.
Cu
Needed for metabolism of sugar. Deficiency may cause diabetes,intolerance to glycose etc. Excess may result in renal failures.Excess of Cr6 is carcinogenic.
Cr
Active in vitamin B12 and in chemical reactions. Deficiency causesanemia. Excess causes hearth failures.
Co
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G.Cortecci – “Geologia e Salute” andG.Cortecci – “Geologia e Salute” and othersothersF.R. Siegel – “EnvironmentalF.R. Siegel – “Environmental Geochemistry”Geochemistry”
O.Selinus e A.Frank – “Medical GeologyO.Selinus e A.Frank – “Medical Geology””
Occurs in all tissues, mostly in bones, muscles and skin; active inthe immunological system; regulates body growth; protects theliver. Deficiency reduces body growth.
Zn
Prevention of vascular and other diseases; neutralizes cellsoxidation and aging action of free radicals. Excess turns nails andhair brittle.
Se
Promotion of growth and development; cellular functions; in bonesand cartilages; takes part in metabolic reactions. Excess leads toexcess of blood. May cause neurological diseases if inhaled into thelungs.
Mn
Essential component of hemoglobin and enzymatic complexesrequired for energy generation and immunological system.
Fe
FUNCTION OF MICRONUTRIENTSFUNCTION OF MICRONUTRIENTS
G.Cortecci – “Geologia e Salute” andG.Cortecci – “Geologia e Salute” and othersothersF.R. Siegel – “EnvironmentalF.R. Siegel – “Environmental Geochemistry”Geochemistry”
O.Selinus e A.Frank – “Medical GeologyO.Selinus e A.Frank – “Medical Geology””Scarpelli
Adsorbing clay tablets (Terra sigillata) from ancient Greece
Terra sigillata withturkish seals(designing itsorigin)
From Lemmos, Melos andSamos islands
Cowen DL & Helfand WH. Pharmacy, an illustradted history. New York, H N Abrams Inc.Publ.1990
Talismans and AmuletsHematite: Astone commonlyused in thehealing ofcardiovascularand circulatorydiseases, anddetoxification.
Quartz: Alongwith Rose andSmokey Quartz,this crystal isused in moodrelated diseasessuch asdepression.
Unlike the rock-derivedPharmaceuticals, Talismans andAmulets do not have a knownphysical effects, but do have acertain psychological effects.Talismans have been used forthousands of years, morecommon then then now, andwere believed to ward off eviland heal certain medicalconditions. These Talismanswere composed of various rocksand minerals, with each crystalhaving its own unique healingpowers. http://www.imaginarius.ca/Healing_stones.htm
Arthritis/Joints Bleeding/Blood Circulatory System Depression Detoxification Eyesight Headache Heart Amethyst X X X XAquamarine XAventurine X XBlack Tourmaline X X XBloodstone XCarnelian X XChalcedonyCitrineFlourite X XHematite X X XLapis Lazuli XMoonstoneQuartzRose Quartz XSmoky Quartz XGreen Tourmaline XTurquoise
Talismans and Crystal Amulets,such as these, are composed of agreat variety of rocks andminerals. A selection of these areshown on the chart, along with alist of the conditions each treats.
AmethystAquamarineAventurineBlack TourmalineBloodstoneCarnelianChalcedonyCitrineFlouriteHematiteLapis LazuliMoonstoneQuartzRose QuartzSmoky QuartzGreen TourmalineTurquoise
High Blood Pressure Hypoglycemia Immune System Insomnia Internal/Organs Lactation Lungs Lymph Nodes Neck ObesityX
X X XX
XX XX X
XX
X
XX X
Reproductive System Scalp/Hair Skin Muscles Glands Temperature Regulation Throat Toothache Urinary Tract InfectionX X
X XX
XXX
X
XX
X
AmethystAquamarineAventurineBlack TourmalineBloodstoneCarnelianChalcedonyCitrineFlouriteHematiteLapis LazuliMoonstoneQuartzRose QuartzSmoky QuartzGreen TourmalineTurquoise
Amulets are prescribed to a variety of diseases and conditions.
Hot SpringsHot springs and other naturally occurringmineral baths, have been used for centuriesall across the globe. The were known to havebeen quite popular in Ancient Greece andRome, as well as Ancient Japan and amongthe Native Americans in North America. Hotsprings are still very popular today,especially in North America. Over 200commercial springs exist in the US alone,along with countless Native American andsmaller springs in Virginia, Pennsylvaniaand New York. The springs were believed tohave treated a myriad of medical conditions,including venereal diseases. As well, manyGovernment sponsored studies began aroundthe springs, and lasted until the 20th century.Enthusiasm and use of springs and medicinalbaths have been declining ever since in bothNorth America and Great Britain.
AnAmericantreasure atPagosaSprings,and aBritishlandmarkat theRomanBaths.
Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Davy Crockett,Henry Clay, Edgar Alan Poe, and Robert Louis Stevenson,along with many other American presidents and notableswere all hot springs regulars. Saratoga Springs in New York,and Berkeley Springs in West Virginia were amongst theirfavorites. They swore by their healing powers as well as theentertainment and relaxation they provided.
This is a Posterfrom 1892 about aFrench mineralspring. Cauterets, inCentral Franceoffered relief intheir baths from:Asthma, Bronchitis,Rheumatism,Laryngitis, andmany otherconditions.
BerkeleySpringswas afrequentfavorite ofmanyAmericannotables.
http://www.sacredsites.com/final40/180.html
ONSEN is,
"hot water, mineral water, watervapor and other gases that issuefrom the ground with atemperature in excess of 25degrees C (77 degrees F) orcontain more than apredescribed amount ofdesignated substances "
Distribution ofONSEN in Japan
The minimum values for ONSEN under the law's definition
substances total content�i/kg�jdissolved substances >1,000mg
CO2 >250 mgLi+ >‚PmgSr2+ >10 mgBa2+ >‚Tmg
Fe2+�CFe3+ >10 mg
Mn2+ >10 mg‚g + >‚PmgBr- >‚Tmg
‚h - >‚Pmg‚e - >‚Qmg
HAsO42- >1.3 mg
HAsO2 >‚Pmg
‚r >‚PmgHBO2 >‚TmgH2SiO3 >50 mg
NaHCO3 >340 mgRn >20�ix 10-10 Ci�jRa >10pg
Simplehot spring
Chloridespring
Hydrogencarbonate
spring
Sulfatespring
Carbondioxidespring
Ironspring
Sulfurspring
Acidspring
Radioactivespring
Classification of ONSEN
History of balneotherapy in Japan
700? B.C Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto, legend
201 A.D. Empress Zingu, spa for wounded soldiers
696 Public hot spring
730 Empress Komyo, bathing house for the poor
1659-1733 Konzan GOTO
Maki
Medical effects of ONSEN1. Heat
2. Water pressure
3. Chemical constituents
4. Mental effect
Disease which issusceptible to
treatment
Simplehot
spring
Chloridespring
Hydrogencarbonate
spring
Sulfatespring
Carbondioxidespring
Ironspring
Sulfurspring
Acidspring
Radioactivespring
Neuralgia �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Muscular pain �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Joint ache �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Frozen shoulder �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Movementparalysis
�› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
A joint stiffens. �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Bruise �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Chronicdigestive organ
disease�› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
hemorrhoids �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Cold nature �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
convalescence �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Recovery fromfatigue
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Disease which issusceptible to
treatment
Simplehot
spring
Chloridespring
Hydrogencarbonate
spring
Sulfatespring
Carbondioxidespring
Ironspring
Sulfurspring
Acidspring
Radioactivespring
Healthyimprovement
�› �› �› �› �› �› �›
Limits crack �› �› �› �› �›
Burn �› �› �› �›
A chronic skindisease
�› �› �› �› �›
Physically weakchild
�›
Chronic women'sdiseases
�› �› �›
Arteriosclerosis �› �› �› �›
Hypertension �› �› �›
Menstrualdisorders
�›
Diabetes �›
Gout �›
Chronicinflammation ofthe gallbladder
�›
Cholelithiasis �›
Geophagia
• Geophagia – A noun: eating earth,clay or chalk; occurs in someprimitive tribes or sometimes incases of nutritional deficiency. Alsoto as ‘Pica.’
“If a lump of soot falls into the soupand you cannot conveniently get it out,stir it in well and it will give the soup
a French taste.” -- Jonathan Swifthttp://dict.die.net/geophagia/
The “dirt” [shown] is kaolin, awhite clay mined in Georgia andSouth Carolina that is used foreverything from making ceramicsand textiles to diarrhea medicine.http://www.augustachronicle.com/stories/031899/fea_clay.shtml
In this particular case, manypregnant women in ruralsouthern Georgia, eat kaolin ora grayish native clay toGeorgia commonly sold inGrocery stores. They crave the“dirt” and claim that it helpsquite their pregnancy sicknessand makes them feel better.
Literature citedHaruo Shiramizu, “Onsen no hanashi (A story of Onsen) ” (2000)
Yoshio OSHIMA, Thermalism in Japan (1988)
Web cite citedhttp://www.biodic.go.jp/reports/2-2/aa098_001.html
http://freett.com/pino55/tama-gazou1.html
http://www.jrea.co.jp/onsen/
http://www.keiju.co.jp/hot-spa.htm
AcknowledgementTetsuro NODA, Katsumi KIMURA
Institute for Geo-resources and environment, National Institute for AdvancedIndustrial Science and Technology
Works cited• Pictures and information from• http://www.csicop.org/skeptiseum/Alternative.html#Crystals• http://www.innerself.com/Health/springs_spas.htm• http://www.web.ms11.net/usadeepsouth/dirt.html• http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS01040.html• http://phys4.harvard.edu/%7Ewilson/arsenic_project_good_uses.ht
mlAlso information from:• Amercan Public Health Association• Food and Drug Administration