ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVE EMITTING PRODUCTS AND KIKOH POTENTIATE HUMAN-LEUKOCYTE FUNCTIONS

Tourmaline (electric stone, a type of granite stone), common granite s tone, ceramic disks, hot spring water and human palmar energy (called ''Kikoh'' in Japan and China), all which emit electromagnetic radiatio n in the far infrared region (wavelength 4-14 mum). These materials we re thus examined for effects on human leukocyte activity and on lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. It was revealed that these ma terials significantly increased intracellular calcium ion concentratio n, phagocytosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species in neutroph ils, and the blastogenetic response of lymphocytes to mitogens. Chemot actic activity by neutrophils was also enhanced by exposure to tourmal ine and the palm of ''Kikohshi'' i.e., a person who heals professional ly by the laying on of hands. Despite the increase in reactive oxygen species generated by neutrophils, lipid peroxidation from unsaturated fatty acid was markedly inhibited by these four materials. The results suggest that materials emitting electromagnetic radiation in the far infrared range, which are widely used in Japan for cosmetic, therapeut ic, and preservative purposes, appear capable of potentiating leukocyt e functions without promoting oxidative injury.