Sometimes the words centring, grounding or earthing are used interchangeably. Grounding or earthing is a topic of its own which I would like to share with you here. It focuses principally on establishing a calmness with the energy fields around us. In other words connection to the Earth is essential to our health and wellbeing.
Grounding is also an important concept in yoga which helps to direct and calm energy. Interestingly Ayurveda’s pose for the purpose is the Tadasana – mountain pose and in Chinese Medicine – the Zhan Zhuang – tree pose, both enabling us to be grounded. Both emphasise standing on the whole foot, with the weight balanced with the use of our toes not solely on the heels as most of us subconsciously do whilst standing.
In both Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, the definition of qi or prana being present in the whole universe is a concept well understood.
The Earth’s surface has an almost unlimited supply of free electrons with a natural negative electric charge. As we walk on the earth barefoot, the Earth’s energy subtly flows up through the soles of our feet into our bodies. An additional benefit is that static electricity and exterior electrical positive charges that are on our body are dissipated.
By receiving the Earth’s energy, our body synchronises with the natural frequencies of the Earth. The health benefits of Earthing are surprisingly far reaching, more than would appear at a first glance. Earthing has the potential to restore and preserve improvements to our health. Its impact is both preventative and therapeutic.
The practice can enhance the immune system, reduce inflammation and pain, speed recovery from injury, help us sleep better and improve circulation. Perhaps this is because the earth’s energy is supporting our body’s ability to heal or rebalance itself.
Walking barefoot on grass or on the sand at the beach is an example. The sensation of warmth and comfort – this is the flow of the Earth’s electrons into our bodies, made possible by the fact that our body fluids are conductive.
Our body fluid contains electrolytes (chemicals) which, when they dissolve in water, produce charged ions. These ions enable the flow of electrical signals through the body which in turn regulate the bodily functions. If electrolyte levels are too low or too high, our optimal cell and organ functions will decline and possibly lead to health disorders.
The main electrolytes and their functions include:
- NA+ Sodium ions regulate osmotic pressure and the body’s water content (approximately 70% of the body), transmit nerve signals and contract muscles.
- K+. Potassium ions transmit nerve signals and contract muscles including the heart
- Mg2+ Magnesium ions contract muscles, form bones and teeth and activate enzymes
- Ca2+ Calcium ions transmit nerve signals, contract muscles, form bones and teeth and clot blood
- Cl – Chloride ions regulate osmotic pressure and the body’s water content and enable the secretion of stomach acid
As already mentioned, our body fluids are conductive and so we are able to absorb the Earth’s energy and frequency. This rebalances our body. Earthing is our natural antioxidant.
Earthing delivers an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect neutralising free radicals throughout the body. Free radicals are electrons which are not paired and thus unstable. They can be formed as our body breaks down nutrients to give us energy or they can originate from contact with carcinogenic substances. Free radicals cause oxidative stress because oxygen is required for them to join another electron and they can also damage our DNA.
It’s just important to note that tarmac and wood are not conductive. However there are plenty of other possibilities to extract these health benefits:
- Grass, sand, soil
- Contact with plants and living trees especially if the bark is wet
- Gravel and rock on the earth
- Concrete and brick (unsealed or coated with a water-based sealant)
- Bodies of water – oceans, lakes, streams.
Should you not feel comfortable walking barefoot outdoors in nature, especially on gravel, Earthing also works indoors with a conductive product. There are Earthing mats which you can place underneath your feet whilst working, for example. Alternatively, there are Earthing shoes specially designed for the purpose.
Another source of disruption of bodily functions can be caused by exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields). Electronic devices have thermal and biological impacts on our bodies as they emit positively charged ions. High concentrations of positive ions are what we know as oxidants or free radicals as just mentioned and these disrupt our bodies’ natural frequency and, of course, our health.
Exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) emitted by microwave technologies such as the latest generation of mobile phones and towers, smart meters and all ‘smart’ home appliances, Wi-Fi, routers, baby monitors and the like are considered in Chinese Medicine to be a ‘fire element’ that in excess makes people angry, argumentative and sick. The phenomena of excess heat in the body is treated and cooling herbs will alleviate the symptoms. In fact, heat clearing herbs constitute the largest part of the Chinese materia medica. They may be bitter, sweet or salty (three of the Chinese Medicine tastes) and address a yin deficiency.
On a positive note, during energy transfer from the surface of the Earth, negatively charged ions transfer into our bodies, which can help neutralise the positively charged oxidants from electromagnetic devices. Earthing can help reduce inflammation and alleviate the malaise experienced from over exposure to EMFs.
Just let’s understand better how the Earth is able to help us so considerably. The source of the unlimited supply of electrons on the Earth’s surface is the Global Atmospheric Electrical Circuit and its generators. Of the most important of these generators are thunderstorms. The other major generators are the ionospheric dynamo and magnetospheric dynamo which produce electrons on the basis of interaction between solar energy and electrically charged particles in the ionosphere at an elevation of some 50km from the Earth’s surface and beyond in the magnetosphere.
Of interest to us are thunderstorms being aware that at any given time, there are an estimated 1000 to 2000 active thunderstorms around the globe. They are giving the earth’s surface its negative charge whereas potentially disease causing free radicals bear a positive charge.
Since the earth’s surface is conductive, the charge spreads across the globe. Thunderstorms tend to follow the sun, which, in combination with other influences, causes the earth’s potential to be somewhat different in parts of the globe where it is daytime rather than nighttime. They are a major source of our unlimited availability of free electrons on the Earth’s surface.
Some people may experience a tingling sensation, even malaise and tiredness after Earthing. This is due to improved circulation and absorption of the Earth’s healing energy. The ‘sensation’ dissipates quickly. The natural electrical state in the body is being restored. More efficient cell repair and cell function is enabled, promoting a clear-out of wastes and toxins. It is the detoxification process which could result in the symptoms just mentioned. Also nerve fibres start to function better, resulting initially in unaccustomed sensations.
As energy is expended in the process, people sometimes feel this initial fatigue before feeling increased energy. The responses vary from person-to-person, and when they occur, generally ease off within a week or two.
“Earthing seems to slow the inevitable effects of aging and help prevent so-called ‘diseases of aging’, all of which are inflammatory conditions.” – James Oschman, Ph.D
To further support the ancient knowledge with modern scientific evidence that we are at one with the Earth and the universe, the alpha waves in our brains span a frequency range of 7.5-12.5 Hz, which is almost the same frequency as that of the Earth. These alpha waves are present in our brains during early sleep, deep relaxation, dreaming and meditation and promote cell regeneration and healing in our bodies and are proven to enable mental coordination, calmness, alertness and inner awareness. This is the scientific evidence of our relationship with the earth and universe already present in the Ancient Medicines over thousands of years.
Although this practice is less specifically related to the Ancient Medicines, the relevance is apparent since the Ancient Medicines regard the whole universe as being infused with qi or prana, in short, energy. Hence, we can include the modern concept of earthing as a supportive therapy when discussing the Ancient Medicines.