Amber and The benefits For arthritis

September is Arthritis Awareness Month! It's a disease that affects 1 in 5 people in Canada.  That's more people than diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke combined.  Arthritis can look like anyone - a child, a teenager, your mom, your friends and myself. This month my blog is focusing on amber, arthritis and a new collection.

How Can Amber Help With Arthritis?

What Is Amber?

Amber is not a gemstone but formed from pine tree resin that has fossilized over time. If you look carefully inside amber you may see insects which have become trapped inside the resin. Amber needs to be molded and polished before it can be turned into beads.  Almost all amber comes from the Baltic region. 

My hairdresser inspired me to learn more about amber as she brought me back a bracelet from her home country of Poland when she visited family last year.

What Is Arthritis?

You may know someone who has arthritis or you have arthritis yourself. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease where one of more joints experiences swelling.  Joint pain and stiffness are the common symptoms. Take the Arthritis IQ test to grow your knowledge.

Currently there is no cure for arthritis. Instead treatment plans help to decrease the pain and minimize damage to your joints. There are many types of arthritis including osteoarthritis which involves the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.

I have rheumatoid arthritis. I was diagnosed over 10 years ago and most of my symptoms involve pain and swelling in my fingers and toes. The symptoms are worse in the morning after sleeping when my joints have been at rest. I do take medication to control the inflammation as RA is an autoimmune disorder. With RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the joints of your body. My current medication has helped to control flare ups which I have experienced in the past in my heels, knees and wrists. 

Amber and Arthritis

Amber has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. 
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All amber contains a unique natural compound called succinic acid. Succinic acid is a natural anti-inflammatory agent which occurs in small amounts in the body. When larger amounts of succinic acid are absorbed through the skin, this results in higher anti-inflammatory actions which in turn, reduce the pain caused by inflammation such as arthritis.

When amber bracelets or any type of amber jewellery are worn against the skin, this results in the amber becoming slightly heated due to the warmth of the body. When amber is slightly heated, it secretes a barely detectable oil. Inside this oil is the succinic acid that provides inflammatory relief when the jewelry is worn over a regular period of time.

New Collection Featuring Amber and Greek Plants

When I travelled to Crete in July, I created molds with plant textures. I decided to create new silver jewellery combining these textures and amber beads. This is a fine silver necklace made with a blue grass plant that I collected near Richtis Gorge in Crete. 

I have also created new earrings and bracelets that I will debuting at my September markets. 
Here is where to find me in September. Cabbagetown BIA Street Festival and Arts Drive 2023 in Mississauga.
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2% from every  purchase is donated to the Arthritis Society Canada.

Blue Grass Amber Teardrop Necklace

Until next time, enjoy the Beauty of Nature!
Cheryl🌷