A Brief History of the Healing Magnetic Stone

For someone new to magnetic therapy and jewelry, the subject can seem confusing, bewildering and even a little strange. Magnets and their healing qualities are a curious subject, and anyone who has searched for an alternative to drug prescribed medication will have wondered about the healing qualities of magnetic jewelry and just how effective they are.

Although the idea of magnetic jewelry as a therapy is being introduced to hundreds of people daily, the process of using magnets in a health related manner is rooted in history; a fact which surprises many people who assume they are a ‘new-age’ form of alternative therapy.

Magnetic treatment actually goes back as far back as 2,000 B.C. Magnets are mentioned in one of the earliest written medical texts: The Yellow Emperor’s Book of Internal Medicine, a book which is looked upon as a landmark in the history of Chinese civilization. Published in China, the book mentions the application of magnetic stones to correct health imbalances and discusses their healing properties.

The development of using magnets continued to grow around the world, and there are historic references made to them throughout history.
Cleopatra, the Ancient Queen of Egypt, was alleged to have worn a magnet on her forehead. This was for the benefit of enhancing her beauty and preserving her youthful complexion. Another reason that Cleopatra could have worn the stone was for the treatment of headaches, as magnets were a common remedy amongst ancient Egyptians who used them to treat gout amongst other ailments.

In India, it is suspected that the ancient Hindus believed that a dying person should lie with their head pointing north, so that the body was aligned to the natural magnetic field of the Earth to ease their departure from this life and relieve the pain.

Today magnets are gaining popularity and more widespread use after they fell out of favor following World War II with the development of biochemistry based medicine. In today’s climate, where information is just a connection and a click away, the access to knowledge has revived the magnets reputation. They are becoming once again an established form of treatment.
Magnets are recommended as therapeutic alternatives for numerous disorders and many people can lay claims to their positive effects. There still continues to be many debates surrounding magnets, but no one can deny their place in medical history or the thousands of people who can testify to their healing qualities.

by Zoe Lea