Gold: A potent healer
- Sarah Rangnekar
- Feb 28, 2023
- 5 min read
“Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world and succeeds in helping souls into paradise"
a well-said quote by Christopher Columbus.
We are all aware that gold is used in ornaments, is incredibly popular among women, has historically been the preferred currency for kings, and serves a variety of other purposes. The materialistic applications of gold are fairly well known to most people, but what if I told you that gold also has tremendous health advantages and that Gold can truly make your life Golden
Presently, gold is not only considered a valuable metal but also used in the medical field to avail its amazing and surprising effects on health and beauty.
So let's start with the history of gold as medicine...
Historical Evidence:
During the Middle Ages, soluble gold, a solution containing gold salt, had a reputation for its curative property for various diseases. In 1618, Francis Anthony, a philosopher, and member of the medical profession published a book called "Panacea Aurea, sive Tractatus duo de ipsius Auro Potabili"(Gold potion, or two treatments of potable gold). The book introduces information on the formation of colloidal gold and its medical uses. About half a century later, English botanist Nicholas Culpepper published a book in 1656, "Treatise of Aurum potable" solely discussing the medical uses of colloidal gold
What is colloidal gold?
Colloidal gold is a sol or colloidal suspension of nanoparticles of gold in a fluid, usually water. Nowadays, gold compounds contribute to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; gold alloys are used in implants in various fields of medicine; and colloid gold is used in immunogold electron as well.
The earliest application of gold as a therapeutic agent was in China, and it was widely used by physicians and surgeons. For example, pure gold was used to treat furuncles, smallpox, and skin ulcers, The traditional Chinese medicine used gold to treat palpitations, seizures, and skin infections there were also prescriptions containing gold for curing measles and other diseases. According to Chinese tradition, gold drugs also cure joint disease and Lung diseases. Warm gold foil was used to remove Mercury from flesh and skin, in case of severe toothache heated gold pineal was used to give acupuncture and the pain vanished immediately. And these measures have clear scientific reasons for eg in the case of mercury, it gets evaporated on heating and forms amalgam with gold. Gold also functions in cure of typhoid fever.
Use of gold in Skincare:
Reduction of wrinkles, fine lines, and spots:
Regular use of gold in the beauty regime may result in the reduction of wrinkles, fine lines, and spots by increasing the elasticity of the skin and also makes look younger and glowing.
Lightens skin:
The use of gold masks helps in enhancing the complexion and makes skin look youthful and glowing.
Treats sun damage:
Tanning of skin can be reduced by using gold which reduces the formation of (melanin pigment-this imparts color to the skin)
Enhances elasticity of the skin:
Gold increases the elasticity of the skin, thus making it firm and toned. Regular use of gold as a face-pack can prevent your skin from sagging.
Use of gold in health and wellness:
Relief from inflammation:
Colloidal gold is used for bringing relief to orthopedic pains and inflammation caused by arthritis, rheumatism, etc. Vitro studies have shown that gold ions inhibit T lymphocyte (immune cells) activation and antigen (any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it) presentation, as well as inhibit the overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines (involved in the up-regulation of inflammatory reactions.) cyclooxygenase expression (expressed by inflammatory cells, such as macrophages), and prostaglandin (active fat/lipid compound) production in macrophages. Interestingly, whether the anti-inflammatory effect of gold ions occurs at the cell membrane or requires entrance of gold into the cytoplasm remains unclear
Improves cognitive function:
"Neurodegenerative diseases are diseases which lead to disability due to gradual neuronal death in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. While many of these diseases have unknown causes, sometimes these are due to medical conditions such as alcoholism, a tumor, a stroke, or other causes which may include genetic mutations, toxins, chemicals, and viruses.
Neurodegenerative disease poses a significant challenge facing public health resources worldwide, Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been actively investigated in a wide variety of biomedical applications because of their biocompatibility and easy conjugation to biomolecules. However, the effect of the use of GNPs in the brain in relation to neurodegenerative diseases is unknown. Interestingly, GNPs have anti-inflammatory and (antioxidant properties- Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.) and could potentially be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, GNPs are also effective scavengers of ROS, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the superoxide anion (O2−), contributing to the activity of antioxidant enzymes ( Studies reveal that colloidal gold acts as a natural stimulant in human body cells that results in improved concentration and mental alertness).
Rejuvenates body and mind:
It promotes positive energy, willpower, and mental focus. It balances body temperature with; stabilizing the mechanism. cleanses the skin and stimulates cellular activity. It also prevents skin aging by promoting (collagen - a structural protein)production. It improves the microcirculation of the blood, which ensures a better supply of nutrients to the deeper layers of the skin. It also regenerates and cools the skin where needed.
Thanks to its ability to refract light, gold-treated skin looks healthier, and more youthful, and has an irresistibly radiant and clear appearance. Gold can activate our visual imagination and creativity. It can strengthen self-confidence and help to overcome anxiety. It alleviates the fear of disease and brings inner peace. It cleanses the body and mind.
Enhances mood:
It improves the emotional and mental well-being of humans enduring anxiety, depression, frustration, and other mental stresses.
Cancer treatment:
Colloidal gold is also used to treat prostate and ovarian cancer by controlling the growth of cancerous cells in the body. Gold nanoparticles are emerging as promising agents for cancer therapy and are being investigated as drug carriers, photothermal agents, contrast agents, and radiosensitizers. GNPs exhibit unique physicochemical properties including surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-(Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is the collective oscillation of conduction band electrons that are in resonance with the oscillating electric field of the incident light,) and the ability to bind amine and thiol groups, allowing surface modification and use in biomedical applications
Allergy treatment:
Gold is effective in treating certain skin diseases like (eczema-skin inflammation), fungal infections, skin burn, skin rash, and much more. It is used in the form of an ointment.
Through the pages of Ayurveda:
Swarna (gold) bhasma is used in Ayurveda to avail several health benefits like immunity booster and improvement of concentration and memory. It is also used in treating premature hair graying, digestive disorders, nervous disorders, and heart diseases. Swarna bhasma is taken into the body in the form of health supplements.Swarna (gold) bhasma has been utilized as a( therapeutic agent - a chemical substance that is used for the treatment or mitigation of a disease ), in the traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for several clinical disorders including bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and nervous system diseases. Swarna bhasma is usually given orally and mixed with honey, ghee or milk.
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