What are infrared rays?

I read that bamboo charcoal emits far infrared rays. On the internet it is easy to find out what the health benefits of far infrared rays are; what is much harder to understand is the exact nature of far infrared rays.

From what my layman brain can understand infrared rays are electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than visible light. Typically infrared science has been used for night imaging (night vision goggles), short wave wireless communication and military applications such as target acquisition.

The International Commission of Illumination has divided infrared rays into 3 bands according to the wavelength of the rays. There are short, medium and far infrared rays. Of these three types of infrared rays it is far infrared rays that have been hardest to utilize for human purposes. On Wikipedia it mentions far infrared lasers. These are big and expensive lasers that are difficult to make and can be used to detect explosives and chemical warfare agents.

The limitations of far infrared rays

The important thing to note about far infrared rays is that they can only travel very short distances. So although bamboo charcoal emits far infrared rays the only way for a human to benefit from these emissions is for the person in question to either wear clothing that has a lining of bamboo charcoal or to sleep on a bed that contains bamboo charcoal.

This also means that the new fad for far infrared saunas may be cashing in on people’s ignorance. The infrared rays emitted from bamboo charcoal only work from 1 to 5 mm from the surface of the bamboo charcoal.

The benefits of far infrared rays

It seems that the Japanese and Chinese have shown a great interest in the benefits to be gained from far infrared rays. They have developed a ‘dome’ that can be placed over a person that looks like a big belt to give people far infrared ray treatments.

Here is a list of some of the benefits believed to be gained from far infrared ray treatment:

• Improved blood circulation
• Increased oxygen supply to blood to speed up damaged tissue rejuvenation
• Reduced blood pressure
• Opening clogged pores and thus helping people with acne
• Treating sunburn
• Treating people suffering from the ill effects of toxic electromagnetic sources such as high tension power lines.
• Dr. Sasaki Kyou, M.D. has researched far infrared rays as a treatment for cancer and other serious diseases. She claims that exposure to far infrared rays enhances white blood cell function and promotes regeneration.
• Treating rheumatoid arthritis
• Treating carpal tunnel syndrome
• Counteracting the ‘aging’ caused by the acidity produced by the typical American diet.
• Detoxifying the body of heavy metals
• Helping with insomnia

The Light of life

This list is not exhaustive. The wonders of far infrared rays seem almost never ending. No wonder they are sometimes referred to as the ‘Light of Life’. Just remember if you have bamboo charcoal in the home and want to enjoy the healing powers of far infrared rays you must put the charcoal next to your body.

tags: Light of Life, bamboo charcoal, far infrared rays, health benefits