WHY COPPER AND THE KWANSHA BEAUTY COIN COULD HELP FIGHT CORONA VIRUS
What do research and Ayurveda have to say about copper and kansa to fight the corona virus and build immunity?
A healthy immune system is represented by physical, mental and emotional, as well as the spiritual resilience. A balance in the function of the three subtle energies: prana (air or force), tejas (radiance), and ojas (vitality) manisfests as a strong immune system.
Every night, I massage my face with the Kwansha Beauty Coin, a "kansa" alloy of purified 80% copper and 20% tin. But during these times of corona virus, I am massaging with the Kwansha Facial Beauty Coin for a different reason altogether. I am convinced of its benefits in building immunity, fighting infections and as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory tool. Read below why I am so convinced, based on some fascinating research and also from my own study and practice of Ayurveda.
Dr. Jean Antoine Victor Burq, a famous physician-cum-metallotherapy doctor exhorted the benefits of copper and its alloys. During the 1854 -1855 cholera epidemic, jewelers, goldsmiths, boilermakers working with copper dodged the bacterial infections. Musicians playing brass instruments also seemed to have immunity throughout the epidemic. He believes it may have been due to traces of copper ions that helped them gain the immunity.
He also made a conclusion in the French Academies of Science and Medicine (1867) – “Copper or its alloys’ application literally on to the skin is an effective means of prevention and should not be neglected. Copper is antimicrobial. It kills bacteria and viruses, sometimes within minutes”
A study by Warnes, Little and Keevil (2015) in the American Society of Microbiology found that a different coronavirus, human coronavirus 229E, which causes respiratory tract infections, could still infect a human lung cell after five days of being on materials like teflon, ceramic, glass, silicone rubber, and stainless steel. But on copper alloys, the coronavirus was “rapidly inactivated.”
Copper is an essential nutrient and its deficiency makes humans more susceptible to viral, parasitic and bacterial infections (Newberne et al, 1968; Okmole and Onawunmi, 1979; Stable et al. 1993). Tamra jal or water infused with copper and drinking from a copper vessel is an ancient Ayurvedic practice. Typically consumed first thing in the morning, it is tridoshic and supports all dhatus of the body.
Now let’s talk about “kansa”. It can influence our immune system’s fight and response against antibodies and cell-mediated immunity (Journal of Ayurveda and Internal Medicine). The Charaka Samhita holds ample reference to kansa for treatment of a wide range of diseases (Galib et al, 2011).
Eating and cooking in kansa was widely practiced in ancient India and has immense health benefits. Copper helps ground specific frequencies and opens the root and sacral chakras. Just as yoga and meditation have now gained wide acceptance as proven practices for maintaining health, vitality and longevity, it is my ardent hope that ancient Ayurvedic knowledge on the use of copper and kansa is taken seriously and used in hospitals and by healthcare workers to counter the corona virus.
I mean there isn’t any harm in pressing a copper or kansa tool into your skin, is there. I breathe into a small copper pot and exhale through my mouth outside of it. It is my theory and conviction that the metals have properties that can help counter the corona virus. Let me know what you think of ancient healing remedies and their growing importance today?
2. Tulsi or Holy Basil
A simple garden herb, holy tulsi, chock full of vitamins, bioflavanols and antioxidants is a ready pick for immunity boosting. Rosmarinic acid in the tulsi helps increase the T-helper cells and natural killer cells activity, boosting the immune system. Tulsi is cooling and balances pitta and kapha imbalances of the body. Revered by Ayurvedic practitioners as the “Queen of Herbs,” such an honour is attributed to its excellent adaptogenic properties, which renders it particularly helpful in alleviating environmental, physical and emotional stressors.
Add a teaspoon of the Tulsi Whole Leaf Tisane Infusion to your favourite pot filled with freshly boiled water. Leave to brew for around 3-4 minutes, allowing the herb to infuse the water and release its delicately fresh, aromatic notes that can soothe the nerves.
3. A2 Cow Ghee
Why A2 desi cow ghee? I’ve waxed eloquent about the difference between A2 versus A1 for over a decade to anyone who cares to listen. Stop consuming A1 milk produce people! That’s probably causing your lactose intolerance issues. When I established Purearth in 2011, I met with Kavita Mukhi, a kindred spirit and pioneer in the organic fair-trade clean food movement and founder of Conscious Foods India. I buy my ghee from ethical local gaushalas (cow shelters) or trusted producers only.
The butyric acid in ghee, a short chain essential fatty acid, decreases inflammation and synergistically works with vitamin K2 to boost the strength of calcium structures in the body, supporting bodily activities. Omegas in the ghee work with fat solubilizing vitamins such as A and E, strengthening muscle tissues without accumulating over the adipose layer, so there shouldn’t be a worry about weight gain!
A2 ghee contains only protein A2 beta casein, contrary to A1 ghee that may contain both A1 and A2 beta casein. A2 ghee is easier to digest as compared to the mutated A1 ghee, due to its higher pure forms of vitamins and omegas. Ghee in Ayurveda is considered sheeta (cooling), sweet (madhura) and is beneficial to the whole body.
Nasya Nasal Oiling Treatment - A few drops of warm pure cow ghee into the nostrils, first thing in the morning can soothe congestion, all the way to the throat, relieving cough and dryness and infections. Ghee is loaded with antioxidants and its vitamins and proteins are readily absorbed by the body due to its healthy fat concentration, making it useful in immunity building.
4. Stinging Nettle
Roy Upton discusses in the Journal of Herbal Medicine (2013) about the blood nourishing tonic – the stinging nettle. Here are some of the nutritional facts that he mentions: Stinging nettle is rich in all essential amino acids and contains a complex variety of vitamins A, B, C and K. Rich in polyphenols, stinging nettle defends cells from oxidative damage and helps boost blood antioxidant and oxygen level, clearing out toxins and maintaining bodily equilibrium.
A study in the Phytotherapy Research Journal also says that nettle is capable of suppressing any inflammatory responses to external attacks- such as microbial, physical, allergic or environmental.
Lesser than four cups of Wild Nettle Whole Leaf Tisane Infusion alone can offer enough histamine to the body to strengthen the immune response and immunity cells’ activity and help fight again any infection. A direct way to reap its benefits is to drink it as a mineral rich tisane infused in warm water. Supercharged with astringent, antiseptic and diuretic capabilities, this infusion is an absolute wonder in regenerating and balancing the system.
5. Wild Seaberry Supercritical Oil
The seabuckthorn berry oil enhances non-specific immunity (in vivo study by Chen, Y., 2003). This remarkable ingestible oil, rich in vitamin A, C, E, K and P or bioflavonoids, supports cellular function and can enhance a generation of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately microbial killing.
Seaberry helps protect, cleanse, nourish, heal and build immunity. I recommend drinking a teaspoon of the Wild Seaberry Supercritical Oil daily to boost the immune system and build antioxidant protective action against free radicals. Clinical studies have shown that the berries boost the immune system, possess potential antitumor activity, enhance radiation protection, and improve skin problems. This oil is so much more than a skin-deep beauty fix; it has a remarkable ability to strengthen and nourish from the inside out!
6. Moringa
A superb source of rich protein, more than any other known plant source, and vitamins A, B, C, K, phytochemicals like copper, iron, zinc, manganese and all essential amino acids. With over 40 powerful antioxidants, moringa is often referred to as a panacea, having been cited to treat and cure more than 300 diseases.
Plentiful antioxidants help the immune system defend against infectious agents and carcinogenic cells more effectively; thus providing a secondary line of defense to the body against pathogens.
With cleansing so important in defending against the corona virus, I recommend replacing harsh drying foam-based cleansers with soothing oils to cleanse skin. Moringa is a key herb found in the Qing Cleansing Oil, balancing sebum production, skin pH and ensuring that the stratum corneum doesn’t dry out.
7. Honey
Raw, unheated and macro filtered honey can help with allergies and infections and is a phytonutrient powerhouse! The effective natural dextromethorphan found in honey works as an effective infection suppressant.
Mitti Raw Honey Face Masque, as its name suggests has raw honey as a major component and is super effective in fighting inflammation of skin. Often dry, compromised skin is a pathway for pathogens to enter the body. A wonderful humectant, honey works to retain moisture levels of skin and ensures the protective barrier of skin is supple and nourished to combat any external attacks.
8. Turmeric
The curcumin has also proven in the Journal of Clinical Immunology, to be a potent immunomodulatory agent that can ensure equilibrium of all WBC - T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. It can also downregulate proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines, enhancing body’s antibody response.
The curcumin is a great antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. Boost your immunity levels drinking turmeric lattes, eating fresh raw turmeric or applying onto skin in different ways. A daily exfoliating and masque-ing ritual with the Turmeric Sand Exfoliant Face Masque can deliver the antioxidants required to fend off free radicals and fight skin infections.
9. Soaps
We are washing our hands like never before arent we? Switch from liquid washes to traditional cold process hand-made soaps. Old fashioned bathing or cleansing with a bar of soap always wins over gel or liquid washes for me! There’s just such a feel-good factor about lathering up with a solid bar of moisturizing soap :)
Choose cold process soaps manufactured through fair trade, conscious practices. These soaps retain the naturally occurring glycerin in them so they won’t dry out your skin like crazy! Hand crafted with cold pressed oils, our soaps are infused with carefully selected pairs of botanical herbs and spices like Hemp & Seabuckthorn, Turmeric & Saffron, Balancing Raw Honey and cured for months in the pristine Himalayan air! It is also a good substitute to alcohol-based sanitizers (and their plastic bottles too). The saponificationof soap making produces glycerin, a natural humectant that locks in moisture and protects skin from drying out.
Fun fact: Self-assembled nanoparticles in soap contain the weakest link - the lipid (fatty) bilayer that can easily dissolve the fat membrane of the virus, causing it to break down and get washed away!
Hemp & Seabuckthorn, Turmeric & Saffron and the Raw Honey Face & Body Bars contain anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties without drying out your skin. We have seen the properties of turmeric and honey already and know their effectiveness in minimizing surface infection and promoting healing.
10. Roses
We could all do with a burst of mood lifting happiness isn’t it, especially in these times of uncertainty, anxiety with the corona virus lockdowns and travel ban. The Wild Rose Himalayan Mist is more that my skin savior. I reach out for it like a security blanket, a spritz if its clean, delicate rose perfume bringing me a quiet sense of calm. I keep this by my bedside, my workspace and my bathroom sink, because reaching out for it is a sense of familiarity in this time of uncertainty and change.
Did you know besides its barrier protective function and skin quenching, cleansing benefits, the rose flower mist is also a mood lifter? This ‘Queen of Flowers’ is more and more now being used by psychologists to help treat patients fighting the blues, anxiety, panic attacks and stress.An experimental study at the Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc. in Tokyo with subjects feeling ‘comfortable’, ‘relaxed’ and ‘natural’ when exposed to roses, draws data showing the physiological and psychological relaxing effects of rose while parasympathetic nervous activity was also enhanced.
Another study proved that inhalation of rose water fragrance in experimental groups caused a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the group’s state and trait anxiety levels (Barati, Nasiri et al 2016- Nephro-Urology Monthly).
We are all learning to accept and embrace each day with positive affirmations. Let's build our immunity levels with these healing and healthy tips. Eat fresh, eat local, eat healthy, follow a simple diet and maintain a simple skincare routine. Kx