Copper is a gift from Nature. The human race has been using it for over 8,000 years.
The first recorded use of copper as an infection-killing agent comes from the oldest-known medical papyrus in history. The information it contains is from an Egyptian doctor from about 1700 B.C. but it is based on information that dates even farther back, to as far as 3200 B.C. In ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, the ankh symbol, which represents eternal life, is used to denote copper.
Not only ancient Egyptian papyri, but ancient Greek, Roman, Aztec, Hindu, and Persian writings as well as medieval and even later European medical literature, record various consistent medical uses of copper. There are many reported uses of copper and its compounds as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic, anti-tumor, and anti-epileptic agents. Copper was also recommended to promote wound healing.
After a battle, wounded ancient Egyptian and Babylonian soldiers would re-sharpen their bronze swords and use the shavings in their wounds to reduce infection and speed healing. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
Copper was also used to cure medical problems in ancient China and India, and is an important component of Ayurvedic medicine even today, most notably used in a Kansa massage wand.
Copper has several alloys. An alloy is a combination of metals, or metals combined with one or more other elements.
- Red Gold is an alloy of copper and gold.
- Sterling Silver is an alloy of copper and silver.
- Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
- Bronze or Bell Metal is an alloy of copper and tin.
- Cupronickel is an alloy of copper, nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese.
Metals are known to have medicinal and healing properties.
- Copper is known to relieve pain, and is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and wound healing.
- Zinc is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and wound healing.
- Tin is not absorbed easily through the skin, making it safe for skin contact.
- One formulation of bronze called ‘Kamsya’ is beneficial in treating diseases. Kamsya is a Sanskrit word, which we call Kansa, as in our Kansa Wand.
Heavy metals including gold and silver are antibacterial, but copper’s specific atomic makeup gives it extra killing power: copper surfaces wipe viruses out!
Copper was the first (and so far, the only) metal surface approved by the EPA to be antimicrobial. Companies in the silver industry tried and failed to claim it was antimicrobial, and it led to an EPA fine. Copper industry groups have registered over 400 copper alloys with the EPA to date. They have even shown that cupronickel is just as good as brass at killing bacteria and viruses.
Copper has a free electron in its outer orbital shell of electrons that takes part in oxidation-reduction reactions; it also makes the metal a good conductor. As a result it becomes a “molecular oxygen grenade.”
Silver and gold don’t have the free electron, so they are less reactive. Silver does not work as an antimicrobial surface when dry; moisture needs to be present, such as in the use of the “silver soap” bars. Copper, however, disinfects merely by being there.
Dry copper and copper alloy surfaces rapidly inactivate MNV-1 (murine norovirus 1) and destroy the viral genome inside. In a new study, it has been observed that a relatively small change in the percentage of copper, between 70 and 80% in copper nickels and 60 and 70% in brasses, had a significant influence on the ability of the alloy to inactivate norovirus. Nickel alone did not affect the virus, but zinc did have some antiviral effect, which was synergistic with copper and resulted in an increased efficacy of brasses with lower percentages of copper.
Electron microscopy of purified MNV-1 that had been exposed to copper surfaces suggested that a massive breakdown of the viral capsid had occurred on copper. In addition, MNV-1 that had been exposed to copper and treated with RNase demonstrated a reduction in viral gene copy number. This suggests that capsid integrity is compromised upon contact with copper, allowing copper ion access to the viral genome.
A microbiology researcher at the University of Southampton (U.K.), has studied the antimicrobial effects of copper for more than two decades. He tested the viruses that caused worldwide health scares such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the Swine Flu (H1N1) pandemic of 2009. In each case, copper contact killed the pathogen within minutes.
Human coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that include the common cold and flu viruses, as well as the pandemic viruses SARS-COV-1 and MERS, was found to be permanently and rapidly deactivated upon contact with copper. The viral genome and structure of all the viral particles were destroyed, so nothing remained that could pass on an infection.
Coronavirus 229E is a common coronavirus that causes the common cold and pneumonia; it is in the same family as the SARS-COV-2. Once again, copper zapped the virus within minutes while it remained infectious for five days on surfaces such as stainless steel or glass.
When a virus or bacteria strikes copper, it’s flooded with copper ions. Those ions penetrate cells and viruses like bullets. The copper doesn’t just kill these pathogens; it destroys them right down to the nucleic acids, or reproductive blueprints inside. There’s no chance of mutation, or evolution, because all the genes are being destroyed.
Technically, the process involves the release of copper ions, which are electrically charged particles, when the microbes are transferred by touching, sneezing, or coughing and land on the copper surface. The ions prevent cell respiration, they punch holes in the bacterial cell membrane or disrupt the viral coat, and they destroy the DNA and RNA inside.
This latter property is important as it means that no mutation can occur, thus preventing the microbe from developing a resistance to copper and becoming a superbug!
SARS-CoV-2 virus endures for days on plastic, glass, or metal but disintegrates soon after landing on copper surfaces.
In 2015, researchers working on a Department of Defense grant compared the infection rates at three hospitals and found that when copper alloys were used in the hospitals it reduced infection rates by 58%. A similar study was done in 2016 inside a pediatric intensive care unit, which charted a similarly impressive reduction in infection rate.
When a copper alloy is used on regularly touched surfaces in busy hospital wards and intensive care units, there is up to a 90% reduction in the numbers of live bacteria on their surfaces.
While sleek and shining stainless steel doorknobs and push plates look reassuringly clean on a hospital door, by contrast, doorknobs and push plates of tarnished brass look dirty and contaminating. But even when it is tarnished, brass (67% copper and 33% zinc alloy) still kills bacteria. While stainless steel (which is about 88% iron and 12% chromium) does little to impede bacterial growth.
The properties of copper never wear off, even if it tarnishes. It is durable, and the anti-microbial effect it has never goes away.
The rapid inactivation and irreversible destruction of the virus observed on copper and copper alloy surfaces suggests that the incorporation of copper alloy surfaces, in conjunction with effective cleaning regimes and good clinical practices, could help control the transmission of these viruses.
With the lack of good antiviral treatments, particularly for a novel virus, copper offers a measure that can potentially help reduce the risk of these infections spreading.
EFFECTS OF THE KANSA WAND
Kansa, or Kamsya in Sanskrit, is a bronze alloy. An alloy is by definition a combination of metals. Metals are alloyed for the purpose of achieving the color, strength, and malleability desired by the maker. Even if the alloy does not contain nickel, the presence of combined different metals in the presence of moisture (which your body has plenty of) can be enough to cause an electrochemical reaction. That reaction can show up on your skin as an itchy, blotchy rash. Even if you are not allergic to any of the individual metals, you can still be allergic to the alloy, hence, reactions to certain jewelry.
Bronze is an alloy containing 88% copper and 12% tin. Other bronze alloys may contain varying levels of nickel, zinc, lead or bismuth. Copper allergy is unusual, but many copper reactions are likely due to a copper-nickel cross reactivity due to T cell lymphocytes, as most patients with a positive copper patch test also had a nickel allergy.
But the Kansa wand does not contain nickel.
Kansa contains copper, tin and some zinc. You can get a noticeable green ring around your finger from wearing a ring made of copper. The common green color is not harmful in itself, although some people experience an itchy rash or other sensitivity reaction to the metal and may wish to avoid exposure to the metal.
Bronze and copper turn your skin green because when the copper reacts with your sweat and the acids from your skin, it produces copper chloride. Copper chloride is a green substance that then rubs off on your skin. The tarnishing process is also facilitated by the oxygen in the air. Sometimes, using the Kansa wand on the face may cause a chemical reaction with the skin leaving the skin a dirty gray color. This is nothing to be concerned with, and easily washes away after the massage.
The Kansa massage wand provides a lot of benefits in a facial, such as cooling, calming, depuffing, tension release, lymph drainage, and if used correctly can simulate muscle tendons to tone them.
But the best part of all - for today's discussion - is that the head of the Kansa wand is made of bell bronze, which is predominantly copper. And guess what? Copper has long been known to be antimicrobial.
The Kansa wand handle is made from teak wood and the head is made from Kansa metal, or bell bronze, which is a mixture (alloy) of copper and tin. Ancient wisdom claims this metal to be more healing than gold or silver and helps increase your skin's ability to heal. The Kansa wand is used to massage the Marma or "energy points" on your face and body.
Why should you use a Kansa wand?
- Helps in lymphatic drainage: Fluid and toxins build up in the lymph nodes and are naturally eliminated by the body. However, conditions such as inflammation, dehydration, excess salt, and lack of exercise can hamper this natural drainage system. A Kansa wand massage helps overcome this and accelerates the elimination process, thereby reducing puffiness of eyes, clearing acne, and brightening skin tone.
- Calms and rejuvenates the body: Kansa metal has a high electrical conductivity; thus it works on the subtle electromagnetic energy of the body which runs in the meridians and chakras. It amplifies the body’s natural bioelectrical network and revitalizes and balances its systems.
- Relieves stress and energizes the body: Marma points are vital energy or communication centers in the body which get blocked due to physical and emotional trauma, toxins, and poor digestion. This causes issues like dryness, oiliness, sensitivities, congestion, and discoloration. A Kansa wand massage opens the Marma points and relieves stress, making the body feel relaxed and healthy.
There are several Kansa facial massages available on YouTube.
Here is the one I like:
https://youtu.be/Hf993UUwLgA
Maybe you would like to swap out your regular facial massage using your (gloved) hands, to using an antimicrobial tool that still imparts amazing benefits!
Here is a link to a reputable site to purchase a Kansa wand. This company also has trainings available. A single Kansa wand is around $60.
https://products.theayurvedaexperience.com/collections/kansa-wands/products/kansa-face-and-body-wand
COPPER MASKS
Copper oxide displays potent antiviral properties. A platform technology has been developed that permanently introduces copper oxide into polymeric materials, conferring them with potent biocidal properties.
Impregnation of copper oxide into respiratory protective face masks endows them with potent anti-influenza biocidal properties without altering their inherent physical barrier filtration properties. The use of biocidal masks may significantly reduce the risk of hand or environmental contamination, and thereby subsequent infection, due to improper handling and disposal of the masks.
In a 2010 study, it was found that copper oxide impregnated masks filtered above 99.85% of aerosolized viruses when challenged with Human Influenza A Virus (H1N1) and Avian Influenza Virus (H9N2) under simulated breathing conditions. No infectious Human Influenza A viral titers or the infectious Avian Influenza titers were recovered from the copper oxide containing masks within 30 minutes.
The copper oxide containing masks successfully passed Bacterial Filtration Efficacy, Differential Pressure, Latex Particle Challenge, and Resistance to Penetration by Synthetic Blood tests designed to test the filtration properties of face masks in accordance with the European EN 14683:2005 and NIOSH N95 standards. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892464/
Copper fabrics are designed to be long-term, sustainable, and durable, meaning the copper ions molecularly bonded to the fabrics will not wash away and last the lifetime of the product. Therefore you never need to rely on disposable face masks again, making them perfect for everyday life. However, current recommendations suggest discarding after three months due to lack of long term data demonstrating that the mask will last longer.
Most copper impregnated masks claim to be effective for up to “30 washes”.
In order to protect the nano fiber membrane in the mask, the mask should be washed as little as possible. This will keep it functioning for an extended period.
The fabrics from which the mask is made are designed to destroy microbes that they come in contact with. As such, unless the mask gets physically dirty it should not need washing.
If you feel that you must clean the mask, simply wipe it down from the inside and out with a soft damp cloth and leave to dry.
If your mask becomes physically dirty here is how to wash your face mask to retain filtration efficiency:
- Do not use any washing liquid or detergents
- Use distilled water or boiled water left to rest for 15 minutes
- Soak the face mask for at least 5 minutes whilst gently massaging, NOT hard rubbing
- Squeeze out excess water and lay the mask flat to dry naturally
- Only hand wash gently in warm water once a week if necessary, or if stained
The benefits of Copper are known to last the lifetime of the product. Wash tests on copper fabrics indicate that only 3 parts per million (0.0003%) of Copper ions are lost after 40 washes, highlighting how durable the technology is. However, the breathable filter layer may be the limiting factor for the life of the mask. Therefore, the ultimate in gentle care must be taken with your copper-infused mask.
Length of mask use will be dependent on the individual who uses it and how long they are wearing it each day, how often per week they are using the mask, whether they nose or mouth breath inside the mask, and the environmental conditions the mask is used in. General recommendations suggest 3 months or 30 weekly washes, but individual use will vary. But remember, copper retains its antimicrobial properties forever. However, a company selling a product cannot guarantee anything for “forever”. And the breathable filter may limit usability. Use your common sense.
COMPANIES OFFERING COPPER-INFUSED MASKS & CLOTHING
(ISRAEL) The active materials in the Argaman Tech copper-infused mask is EPA registered as a material preservative (i.e. kills microbes on the material itself, but not necessarily as a public health device).The masks and the materials have not been tested against the Coronavirus. The active material has been shown to deactivate other viruses, but does not have FDA registration. If the mask does not fit snugly, pathogens could infiltrate via the spaces between the mask and the face. Online ordering has no minimum, but the maximum of up to 200 masks is available, and for bulk orders of more than 200 please email company directly. Ships to USA/worldwide. See more info under More Reading.
https://argamantech.com/product/bioblocxtm-masks/
(USA) All Copper Mesh Mask and the All Copper Mesh Insert
The Kuhn all Copper Mask and the all Copper Mesh Insert sanitize and filter the air you breathe. They allow a minuscule amount of copper to be deposited in the nostrils. In published reports, copper is known to inactivate most corona viruses, flu, and respiratory viruses and kill bacteria on contact. Copper has anti-inflammatory properties, as well. The mesh continuously releases minuscule amounts of copper, est. 1-2 ppm over 2 to 3 hours of wear into the nasal area. Copper inactivates many viruses on contact.
(Take note of the inhalation of copper particles if you suffer from copper overload or melasma).
https://kuhncoppersolutions.org/
(UK) Washable and Reusable Copper Infused Face Mask
This Copper face mask has been tested to GB 2626-2006 respiratory testing standards and showed that the mask’s filter more than 99% of airborne particles equivalent to KN99. They also have copper-infused men’s & women’s undergarments, socks, gloves, pajamas, sleep masks, bed sheets, blankets, and dog beds. Ships to USA/worldwide.
https://www.copperclothing.com/product/copper-infused-face-mask/
(USA) THERAMASKS by nufabrx offers brand new patented protection powered by CuTEC®copper, known for its ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES to reduce facial contamination. For every order we receive, we donate one mask to a first responder, healthcare or essential service hero.
https://www.theramasks.com/products/performance-copper-mask?variant=33362183356461
(USA) HydraFacial designed new FaceLife masks specifically for Personal Care Professionals, integrating three core features:
1. PROVEN COPPER PROTECTION
- 82% Copper CuTEC® nylon binds copper to fabric fibers
- Copper woven into both sides of the mask for dual protection
2. PERFORMANCE FIT
- Complete facial coverage
- Moisture-wicking nylon
- Ideal for extended wear
3. DURABLE, WASHABLE DESIGN
- Stays 99.9% antimicrobial after 30 washes
- Effective active copper over the life of the product
https://hydrafacial.com/facelifemask/
(USA Bulk Order 1000+) Cupron has developed a reusable face mask for general use so that N95s can be saved for nurses and doctors involved in patient care. The face masks are available in two styles, a 3-layer woven with over the head elastic, and 3-layer knit with behind the ear elastic.
https://cupron.com/cupron-reusable-face-masks/
(CANADA) “Men’s” active wear copper infused clothing, shirts, shorts, jogging pants.
https://forapparel.com/collections/all
MORE READING
History of copper
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/copper-virus-kill-180974655/?fbclid=IwAR3jiFRw1pQO8jpJvCNbxK4cFeSQMeA8zEQlvIKObPlcYYxLsxq5UfsOsqs
Argaman part of CDC testing, working with NASA, Israeli military
https://www.jpost.com/health-science/amid-pandemic-panic-infused-cotton-can-beat-corona-and-staph-infections-618998?fbclid=IwAR3vadx6BsWxhifr_aZ06IXXOTT0QQsk4h9S8vL9oX6RGEsktYzJgMi37bc
Argaman claims 50-100 washings
https://www.israel21c.org/new-antiviral-masks-from-israel-may-help-stop-deadly-virus/?fbclid=IwAR3M2KNkE-FRhhJidmCgC8u-Dn5C_rfWLTyRzHaioO4QFmZDBwAFBywBWME
Argaman manufacturing, better than N95
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csu6qCSeV14&fbclid=IwAR3vi2u_djM07BOf-MeYkHTqMfYAu9StImpJCiAD4uS4i7-u9Gzm1sHHWQk&app=desktop
Japan develops copper fiber sheet that can be used over surgical masks
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200410/p2a/00m/0na/002000c
XO Cassandra Lanning
The Renegade Esthetician
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