Hold on to those old copper pennies, they’re not just used for money anymore.

Throughout the centuries, from ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, Romans, to modern day society, copper has been used in various ways for healing. Most common uses that copper is being used for is arthritis, tendinitis, and in some reported cases, carpal tunnel. In the 19th century, scientists uncovered ways to use copper’s antimicrobial properties to contain infections and disease on a large-scale. Commercial applications of Copper Healing are alleged to enhance skin complexion, including the appearance of skin texture and tone, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes. It has also been suggested that copper is a key player in skin regeneration.

Modern day applications are Sportswear, Hospital Care Products, Healthcare Textiles, Military/Industrial Clothing, Bedding and Bedrooms, Cosmetics, Multivitamins and Jewelry.

Mental Healing
According to New Age healers, Copper can stimulate the flow of energy and hence move Psychic or Mental energies thereby helping the wearer overcome lethargic tendencies, resulting in a more vitalized person with amplified thoughts. They also attribute powers of communication, channeling, cleansing, purification, increasing self-esteem and freeing the wearer of mental burdens.

Physical Healing
Beginning in the 1970s in the United States, Copper use as a healing agent began to see an increase. People who believe in its power esteem it as a very powerful assistant with Arthritic and Rheumatic diseases, but also look to it for its healing properties in improving the circulation of blood, increasing energy, detoxification, reducing inflammation, stabilizing metabolism and improving Oxygen use.

Spirituality Healing
Because Copper is a good physical conductor or electricity and heat, Copper is the conductor of the Spiritualist’s belief system. Copper has the ability to conduct spiritual energy back and forth from individuals, crystals, auras, the mind and the spirit world. They also believe it has the power to amplifying thoughts in receiving and sending psychic (or telepathic) communication. New Age followers also carry it with their stones and crystals to “straighten” the properties of the crystals and use it when creating crystal wands.

Before you rush out to by a bunch of copper wire, and to save you a bit of money, old pennies will work in a pinch for various mental, physical and spiritual healings.

How to tell that your penny is made of copper (not all are), if your penny has the date of 1982 or before, it has 95% copper in it. In 1982, both copper and zinc was minted for pennies. There are a couple of ways in this article about pennies to help you determine whether your penny is copper or zinc. According to the United States Mint in 1943, the penny’s composition was changed to zinc-coated steel. This change was due to the critical use of copper for the war effort. However, a limited number of copper pennies were minted that year. There are also some other dates that you might want to read about in that article where the United States Mint had changed the composition in the penny.

For those of you who want to purchase some cheap copper wire to make bracelets for yourself, you can do so at any local hardware store. I have found copper wire to be cheaper at hardware stores, and Ben Franklin versus purchasing it at a more high-end craft store. But it does depend on what you want to use the wire for. For temporary bracelets for myself (where I’m more concerned with the healing aspects versus looks at the moment) I have purchased 18 gauge wire at my local hardware store. For more sophisticated jewelry that I am planning on making and selling, I would go to Ben Franklin or a higher-end crafts store. A tip to remember when purchasing copper wire, the smaller the gauge size, the thicker the copper wire.

For those who worry about the “green” tarnish that untreated copper leaves behind, don’t. The “green” tarnish that copper leaves behind on our skin is where our body is absorbing the copper that our bodies need, especially if we aren’t getting enough in our vitamins. It easily washes off with soap and water. For cleaning untreated copper (or copper bottomed pans, etc) I have read where you can use ketchup, spaghetti sauce or tomato juice (it’s the tomato ingredient that is supposedly to work well on cleaning copper) or you can use a mixture of lemon juice and salt made into a paste for heavy tarnish. Research that on the net, and as always, use with caution to avoid damaging a pricey object.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my post on the uses of copper.
Happy healing.

Copper healing
The Composition of the Cent

Cherianne Renee Burmeister

June 8, 2008