Liberty Times, Health Section, October 10 1998 

During the early 20th century, German scientists had already begun to observe the effects of foehn weather on human health.  They discovered that, just prior to the onset of foehn weather, people would exhibit a series of common symptoms including anxiety, nervousness, dizziness, and headaches.  Also, illnesses tend to increase in severity during these periods.  Therefore, the name Foehn was given to illness brought on by foehn weather. 

The earliest reports of foehn weather's effects on health came from Central Europe.  The blame for Foehn was placed on "warm breezes from the south".  These breezes tended to be dry and hot as the name given to this weather reflects.  Other names for this weather pattern include "mountain wind", and "furnace heat", and its damaging effects to agriculture and livestock is well documented. 

But what precisely are these winds?  What in winds causes such significant effects to humans?  Modern science has provided the answer, ions.  These winds carry with them a large amount of positive  ions. 

In nature, the suns rays and lightening cause air to be ionized.  some of the atoms in this air lose an electron, and become positive  ions.  Some atoms gain an electron to become negative ions.  Together these unstable atoms cause air to become highly ionized. 

Today, scientists have already established the link between ions and human physical activity.  Felix Gad Sulman, of the University of Shibolai, discovered that ions affect brainwaves.  He invited individuals to enter a highly ionized chamber for brainwave tests.  The result was that the alpha variable in the brains of these individuals all increased.  Other researches have discovered that negative  ions have an effect upon the activity of the nervous system, improve brain functions, increase the oxygen exchanging function in the lungs, and strengthen the human immune system -- the exact opposite effect of positive ions. 

Researchers have also discovered that an overabundance of positive  ions in the air over a period of years will wear down a person's natural resistance.  Moreover, positive ion poisoning attacks thyroid gland functions, causes excessive glandular secretions, causes increased nasal mucus, tearing, and symptoms similar to asthma.  Sulman continued his experimentation with human subjects.  He let Foehn sufferers breath air heavily laden with negative ions.  Three-quarters of those exposed to this treatment recovered completely. 

 Our planet is a channel for energy, perhaps static electricity emanating from the sun, moon, and stars, or perhaps by nearby cloud groups.  During periods of high charge, we see the results in increased lightning and static charge releases.  During periods of lower charge, point charges are most often released from pointed objects on the earth's surface, such as leaf points, etc.  Energy released in free electrons traverse the air as negative ions. 

After rains and during the morning, vegetation is laden with moisture and the air is particularly clear.  This reveals the effects of negative ions.  The moisture in your bath after a shower has the same effect -- one of the reasons a good bath can lift your energy level.  In another example, during the afternoon, when vegetation is dry and electric resistance is high, point discharge is low and negative ions in the air are low. 

Lightning, waterfalls, waves, forests and ultraviolet light all absorb positive  ions in the atmosphere and release negative ions resulting in high concentrations of negative ions.  In a reverse effect, dust, waste gases, etc., increase the level of positive  ions. 

Therefore, air in the cities is not as ionized as that in the countryside.  City air is therefore much less fresh than that in the countryside. 

Understanding the influence of weather on our daily lives can lead to great benefit.  For example, when temperatures rise and pressure falls the air will typically warm due to the increase in positive  ions.  During these periods one should pay attention to one's temper.  However, when atmospheric pressure rises and the temperature falls, the air is full of beneficial negative ions.  At this time, open all windows to welcome a good day! 

When all else fails, you still have the option of purchasing a portable ionizer to release negative ions into your home.  Equipment of this type is usually found on the market under the label "air cleaner".  The machine is typically fitted wit an activated carbon filter.  Before buying, first try it out for yourself to make sure it is not broken and that it does not emit harmful ozone.  One simple and fast way of testing is to turn on the machine and place your hand at a distance of 2cm from the air vent.  You should be able to sense cooler air coming from the vent, even though, in actuality, the air cleaner does not physically cool air.  Another test is to light a cigarette and take it near the air cleaner to see whether it is extinguished or not.  If a machine is unable to pass these two tests, do not purchase it.

 Of course, a walk in the mountains or along the seaside, when convenient, is most recommended.

When Negative ions are Insufficient, Immunity Decreases

 Carbonic acid, a result of our breathing activity is also the result of an ionization process.  Our daily metabolism rate is significant.  As carbonic acid (H2CO3) is one of the less stable acids, it reacts easily with other compounds which are stored in the body, such as fat, uric acid, calcium or carbonic acid calcium.  All are tightly linked to carbonic acid. 

In the blood, carbonic acid is affected by the body's internal negative ions.  Interaction with negative ions can produce H2CO3àHCO3¯+H^＋.  One sees this most often in red blood cells.  If negative ions are abundant in blood, this separation process occurs readily.  The HCO3 produced looses its acidity and remains stable inside the body.  If negative ions in the body are insufficient, separation does not occur as frequently as necessary, resulting in excess carbonic acid, leading to an increased likelihood of illness.  Also, the ability of white blood cells to attack and destroy virus cells relies upon negative ions.  A shortage of negative ions means that these cells are unable to function effectively. 

From the above, we are able to see the impact that negative ions have on the strength or weakness of our immune system.  Poor metabolism, particularly in the form of excess blood acids, is largely the result of insufficient negative ions.

Anion distribution chart: