amber

Amber in Pomerania

Autors:Łukasz Gocał Karol Kot Przemysław NowakRafał Matczak

Natural Treasures of Europe

Amber – What is it?

Amber is fossilized resin from coniferous trees which was made around 45 milions years ago. It has greek and roman name also, electron and lyncurium. Natural colour of amber is pale yellow or honey. Another shades are the result of oxidation. Amber contains four elements: carbon (79%), hydrogen (11%), oxygen (10%) and small amounts of sulfur.


Amber history.

Amber has been known since antiquity. Until recently people thought that Amber was popular due to its appearance. Throughout antiquity succinite was one of the most valuable minerals. Initially it was very rare in the regions of Mediterranean Sea. Ignorance of this material contributed many legends.


There was no one real amber highway. Succinite road should be understood as a direction of trade exchange. Romans who set off for amber at north supplied many another materials for trade which were valuable for barbarians (it guaranteed safe journey) like wool, wine, ceramics, ornamentations, fabric. Amber trade exchange bloom occurred at the turn of II and III century.


According to Slavic beliefs amber had magic power which provided happiness. They believed it's possible to check if girl is a virging with succinite also. When a man gave an amber gift to his girlfriend it meant fast marriage. Locating an amber on girl's chest after wedding revealed all her sins.


The oldest amber products have been found in Leszczyńska's plateau 40 to 100 thousands years before our era. In Poland greatest number of amber workshops were located in Gdańsk and Kurpie. Boxes, figures, mosaics were made with it. For several centuries Gdańsk was the main center European succinite mechanism.


Usage of amber.

In the nineteenth century amber was a cure for rheumatism, fever, consumption, spasms, hysteria. Succinite in form of tincture is very popular natural medicine againt fever, flu, bronchitis now. It has bactericidal activity, neutralize venoms viral, but it is not very specified yet.


Herbalists believe its possible to cure flu by drinking morning the with three drops of amber tincture. Additionally rub chest and back to avoid consequences related with flu. Amber could be also helpful in heart diseases or headaches. Works soothing. Some people who uses succinite as a medicine claim amber can protect from cancer. That's why women should wear necklaces made from it.


Amber has also application in cosmetics. As a component regenerate skin, protect from free radicals, stimulates its metabolism. Works bactericidal and disinfecting. Soothes the wounds after burns. Manufacters more often uses amber in thatchs of mattresses to protect against rheumatism, thyroid diseases and kidney ailments.


Use of amber• Amber is the resin of mine is unique, contains a 3% to 8% of succinic

acid, which is used in medicine• Amber's value assessed by determining the degree of transparency,

rarity color, weight, purity and size• Amber has the ability to benefit human electrostatic charging negatively

because amber is not completely soluble• Amber on the Mohs scale of hardness reaches 2 to 3 (it can be scratched

by fingernail or a copper wire)• Amber exposed to light darkens and its surface becomes rough• Amber has a characteristic odor, which is similar to the odor of church’s

incense


• Degenerative changes in the spine or joints

• Diseases caused by osteoporosis (eg, in fractures)

• Increased muscle tension

• Pain and movement restrictions

• Pain related to rheumatology

• Chronic inflammation, relieves pain and swelling of joints

• As dressing easing pain related to rheumatology

• Warming as a dressing, designed especially for the elderly

• In rehabilitation - due to the effects of warming


Benefits of amber are appreciated by jewelers, goldsmiths, painters. Amber framed in silver, gold, bronze presents a very beautiful and original. It is a combination of beauty and power of nature, it became the amulet. Amber was used for centuries to decorate many objects, both utilitive and decorative. Known and appreciated since antiquity has also become a favorite for the Poles and the decorative popular material.


Due to its properties, amber is used in cosmetic formulations. Famous in the world has already become a series of Polish cosmetics "Pollena Eve" in Łódź, which produced an amber line "Bioenergetic" with micronized amber and preserved its energy properties. Bioenergetic became a sensation in the global cosmetics market, inter alia, winning the Gold Medal at the World Exhibition of Inventions and Innovation Eureka 2000 in Brussels.


Amber is quite important from a scientific point of view because it provides information on the flora and fauna occurring during the formation of amber. Belief in the beneficial effects of amber, supported by scientific research, proved to be justified. Discovered that succinic acid acts as a biostimulant - stimulates the nervous system, regulates the work of the kidneys and intestines, is an anti-inflammatory and antitoxic agent. On the basis of this component for ointments and creams for rheumatism, asthma, ulcers and skin irritation and bronchial, throat and thyroid


As it turns out, amber from the Baltic accident that functioned for millennia as a panacea for many ailments. Such a legend and a reasoned faith is also surrounded by today.


Tincture from amber50 grams of fine native amber rinse in lukewarm water and pour into

a bottle with a capacity of 1 liter. Then pour pure spirit. Tincture is ready after ten days, then replaced by gold. No need to strain it. For the same amber tincture can be done twice. Then you need hammer and crushed amber pour alcohol again. You can drink it for the general strengthening of the body.


Largest amber specimen weighing 9.75 kg was found near Kamien Pomorski in 1860. The collection of the Amber Museum in Gdansk is solid, weighing about 4.5 kilograms. The most famous work in amber, made by Polish craftsmen at the command of King Frederick Hohenzollern'aw in 1703, the Amber Room. Work on the Chamber lasting 11 years. During II World War Chamber disappeared and remains to this day not found. Only a copy is located in the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. Its creation cost 11.5 million dollars.



Karol KotPrzemek NowakŁukasz GocałRafał Matczak

XX Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Zbigniewa Herberta Gdańsk

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained herein.

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