THE BENEFITS OF COPPER AND KANSA FOR YOUR SKIN
The more I learn about copper the more of a precious metal it becomes in my mind. Copper plays a key role in many Ayurvedic rituals for wellbeing thanks to its natural healing benefits, antibacterial qualities, and rustproof and corrosion-resistant properties. Traditionally used for water pipes here in the UK and around the world, copper is also favoured for water bottles in Ayurveda. Unlike other metals and plastics, copper doesn’t leach dangerous toxins (although like any substance it can corrode and high levels will cause toxicity). Many foods naturally contain copper - an essential mineral for the body that supports various body functions, such as enzyme production and neurological functions.
Copper is also found in the metal “Kansa,” which is often used in Ayurveda. “Kansa” is the Sanskrit word for “bronze”, an alloy containing 78 percent copper, a soft malleable metal, with the addition of zinc and/or tin to help strengthen it. Said to be more healing than gold or silver (which says a lot, since both of these are renowned for their amazing properties), Kansa, is also known as “Bell Metal” for its use in gongs, bells and singing bowls. Historically, in ancient Egypt, China, Greece, and even in the Aztec empire, copper and its alloys, such as bronze and brass, have been used to reduce infection and as a wound healer and today these metals are still used widely in hospitals. Copper, and therefore kansa, reduces acid, another reason it is favoured for both food vessels and the therapeutic beauty tool Kansa wand in Ayurveda. The 100% copper East by West Tongue Tingler used for mouth health is another great example of a tool featuring all of these properties.
COPPER BENEFITS FOR SKINCARE
Recently, one use for copper that’s been all the rage is in skincare formulas, with copper peptides (naturally occurring compounds made by combining copper and amino acids) being added to face serums and creams in much the same way we’ve seen the trend of gold and silver being used. For the reasons mentioned above copper is very safe to use with few side effects, though you should avoid using it at the same time as strong ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and AHAs. Best of all, it’s pretty much suited to every skin type..
HOW WE CAN EASILY WORK WITH COPPER FOR HEALTH
Aside from splashing out on creams and serums, we can use copper wellbeing products in our everyday to benefit our health:
COPPER PRODUCTS I LOVE
The healing and conductive properties of copper in Kansa are really put to use in the traditional Kansa wand. If you haven’t already, check out the East by West Kansa Wand, an age-old Ayurvedic massage tool to activate Marma points (vitality points) around the head and body, increasing the flow of Prana (life-force energy) from the top of your head to the tips of your toes — the subtle electrical conductivity from the Kansa metal making positive changes to the body’s subtle energies. Copper has thermal conductivity, meaning that while the Kansa wand will start off cool, it will quickly heat, helping the skin to absorb any oils or serums used during a Kansa wand massage.
Because of copper’s alkaline properties, placing it against your skin, i.e. by using a Kansa wand, will help to naturally balance your skin’s pH. Copper acts as an antioxidant and helps stimulate collagen production (collagen is a protein that determines the elasticity of your skin). It can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, scars and breakouts, and generally firm and smooth the skin for a youthful complexion, especially if used in combination with an antioxidant-rich product.
Removing the “gunk” — that is, the Ama — from your tongue first thing in the morning is an important health-promoting practice. But the material you use to help you do that is also important! While you can find plastic or stainless steel tongue scrapers, the East by West Tongue Tingler is made from 100% copper for its antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, the copper surface releasing copper ions (electrically charged particles) whenever microbes come into contact.
Copper is a mineral element essential to the human body for the production of red blood cells — so when water is kept within a copper pipe or copper bottle, copper ions are released into the water, which is important for our metabolism and overall health. In fact, the use of copper for storing water goes back thousands of years, when it was used for water vessels, as this ensured bacteria-free drinkable water. Find a good quality copper bottle (I like this one) and use it every day to stay hydrated and benefit from copper’s healing properties.
*Interestingly, the penny coins (1 and 2p) are no longer made of mostly copper as the price of this metal has shot up dramatically. By 2006, the original, all-copper 2p coin (which was now out of circulation) contained 3p of copper, which even for a non-economist doesn’t quite add up!