Amber Beads – what a load of rock?

So you see all these babies with the pretty coloured beads around their necks and mums are swearing that they make a difference to their bubs teething – what a load of rock, right?

Actually, you will be surprised to know that for most babies they can be very therapeutic. Now before you think “oh yeah, how much do you sell them for?” this is not a hard sell.

I don’t sell the amber beads but I do recommend them to my clients after having done my own research when the craze hit the markets a few years back – which is my thing – if I don’t know or I’m not sure, then I find out as much as I can about something.

Baltic Amber necklaces and bracelets are a natural pain relief used for general aches and pains especially teething in children. There are a few myths in the community about amber beads, so I have put this information sheet together to hopefully educate people on what they are and how to use them effectively.

HOW DOES IT RELIEVE PAIN?

Baltic amber is not a gemstone or crystal but a fossilised tree resin that is famous for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and general calming properties and for providing natural pain relief. It is found primarily in Scandinavia and around the Baltic Sea. Amber found elsewhere in the world does not contain these high concentrations. Please also be aware there is no benefit to putting your amber beads out in the moonlight, sunshine or in the ocean water (as I sometimes see people suggest on forums) as they are not crystals.

When warmed by the body, the baltic amber will release trace amounts of healing oils from the resin into the bloodstream through the skin. This natural remedy has been successful in relieving teething symptoms in babies such as pain, fever, drooling, swollen gums, sleeplessness and redness in the cheeks. The therapeutic properties of amber may also help to reduce colic and nappy rash and improve your baby’s general well-being.

Baltic Amber can also be used in adults for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis pain, migraines, general aches and pains, colds, sleeplessness, snoring, mastitis, arthritis and general well-being. I use my own amber beads for premenstrual conditions, and this has really helped me immensely with cramping and mood swings – coincidence? Maybe, but it works for me.

However, (this is my favourite saying) like anything,what works for one person, may not work for the next person as we are all made up differently.

Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of succinic acid found in nature and this is what makes it so highly regarded and sought after. Succinic acid is a natural component of plant and animal tissues, and its presence in the human body is beneficial in many ways.

Succinic Acid is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps fight toxic free radicals and disruptions of the cardiac rhythm, and has been shown to stimulate neural system recovery and bolster the immune system. It also helps compensate for energy drain in the body and brain, boosting awareness, concentration and reflexes while at the same time reducing stress.

These miraculous properties of succinic acid have been proven by Nobel-prize winner Robert Koch, and other recent scientific research at the University of Hamburg in Germany confirms the safe and positive effects of succinic acids in cellular metabolism.

ARE THEY SAFE?

Yes the Baltic Amber necklaces and bracelets are specially made for babies in a very safe and traditional way, however please remember they are not a toy so don’t give it to your child to play with. There should be no metallic threads or clasps. When you purchase amber beads make sure that each bead is individually hand-knotted so that even in the event of the string being torn, only one bead is lost and there is no risk of choking. However, like anything around the neck of a child there is a risk of strangulation, so you do need to supervise your child while they are wearing them, and when they are sleeping place it around their ankle rather than their neck.

Keep an eye on them while they are wearing the amber so they can be prevented from pulling on the thread or chewing on the amber. Placing them under clothing is a good idea as well so they are not played with or pulled on. You can also join the necklace and bracelet and then wrap this around baby’s ankle then cover with a sock if you are worried about your baby wearing around their neck. It doesn’t matter where the amber beads are worn, as long as there is skin contact.

WHEN SHOULD MY BABY WEAR AMBER?

Babies from 3 months can start wearing the amber up to 3 years of age (or older), which is generally the ages from when children may be teething. By the age of three most children will have all their primary teeth and therefore the amber is no longer needed, but could be used during times of distress, pain or fever.

I have seen mothers who have started their babies as young as 8 weeks with necklaces, and my recommendation would be to start using the bracelet first prior to 3 months, then progress to the necklace. Because an amber necklace is longer, it has more amber than a bracelet so it will contain more succinic acid and therefore be stronger. From 4 months of age for the most pain relief and comfort I recommend wearing both a necklace and bracelet combined set.

HOW DO I PUT THEM ON?

Most of the necklaces and bracelets have plastic clasps that match the colour of the amber. One end of the clasp screws into the other (as shown).

WHAT ABOUT WEARING IN THE BATH OR SWIMMING?

The amber is not affected by water at all; however the thread which is usually polyester can weaken and stretch with prolonged exposure to water, therefore it is probably a good idea to take them off while bathing or swimming.

WHAT COLOURS DO THEY COME IN?

The Baltic Amber necklaces and bracelets for both adults and babies come in so many different colours and shapes nowadays, and some places even combine them with crystals, but the most popular amber are: multi-coloured; cognac, honey, ruby and lemon. It has been found that the lighter colours of amber contain a higher concentration of succinic acid, therefore may be more effective. If you find that baby settles when you put the beads on but then a couple of days later they are quite unsettled or seem worse than they were before, then just take the beads off for 24 hours or so and alternate days. Sometimes babies can be a little sensitive to the amber, so don’t underestimate the power behind the beads.

HOW DO YOU TELL THE REAL ONES FROM FAKES?

Place the amber beads in salty water (1 part salt to 2 parts of water). Authentic amber will float, whereas fake amber will sink.

I hope this information has been helpful. You can usually buy the amber beads from health food stores, natural therapists, chemists or probably the best option is online where you have a huge variety of colours and price. You can also ask for a certificate of authenticity to ensure that you are getting real amber.

(Please note the photos in this article do not belong to me).

REFERENCES

http://www.ambergallery.lt/en/disp.php?itm=en_museums_3%2Fen_museums_3_11
http://www.amberartisans.com/50miyeago.html
http://www.ambergallery.lt/en/disp.php?itm=en_museums_3%2Fen_museums_3_13
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_amber
https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/kontakt.html
http://balticamber.ie/Clinical%20application%20of%20preparations%20of%20Amber%20Acid%20for%20threatment%20of%20pneumonia%20for%20newborn.pdf
http://balticamber.ie/ORIGIN%20AND%20IMPACT%20OF%20AMBER%20ACID.pdf
http://www.cheerzhangover.com/Succinic-Acid-Abstracts.pdf
http://www.ambertherapy.com.au/scientific-research
http://www.sena.lt/archyvas/dokumentine_literatura/mizgiris_kazimieras-mysterious_amber_world/97028
http://www.chamberofcommerce.pl/amber-succinic-acid/