For many centuries since time began, people have used nature's bounty for traditional medicine. What is sometimes referred to as alternative medicine is actually a mainstay medicine in many parts of the world today. As more and more people are reaching out for natural healing and pain relief, there is one remedy that is prevalent today and has stood the test of time -- Natural Baltic Amber. And with good reason. Natural Baltic Amber has unique properties unlike any other amber in the world. Famous Hippocrates (460-377 BC), father of medicine, in his works described medicinal properties and methods of application of Baltic amber that were later used by scientists until the Middle Ages.
In ancient Rome Baltic amber was used as medicine and as a protection against different diseases. Calistratus famous physician of those times, wrote that amber protects from madness, powder of amber mixed with honey cures throat, ear and eye diseases and taken with water cures stomach illnesses. Pliny the Younger noted that Roman peasant women wore amber medallions not only as adornments, but also as a remedy for "swollen glands and sore throat and palate." Persian scientist Ibn Sina (Avicenna) called amber remedy for many diseases. There was a belief in eastern countries that amber smoke strengthens human spirit and gives courage. In China "amber syrup", a mixture of succinic acid and opium, was used as a tranquilizer and antispasmodic.

In the Middle Ages Baltic amber beads were even worn for the treatment of jaundice. It was believed that the magic force of this yellow stone could absorb unhealthy yellowness of the skin and the weakness of the organism. Terms Oleum succini (amber oil), Balsamum succini (amber balsam), Extractum succini (amber extract) were often used in the recipes and records of the alchemists of those times.

In former times Lithuanian tribes employed such incense to drive away evil spirits from the dead and help the soul travel to good spirits. The newly born babies were fumigated so that they could grow faster, the newly-weds - that they could live happily and those going to war so that they could return with spoils of victory. Before World War I amber was still used for treatment of various diseases, e.g. tincture made of pieces of amber and vodka was thought to increase sexual potency of men. In Lithuania and in tsarist Russia nannies had to wear amber beads to protect themselves and babies from diseases. As late as before World War II, especially in Germany,Baltic amber beads were put on babies to make the eruption of teeth less painful and make the teeth grow stronger.

Historically, treatments for healing and pain relief were made only from the natural environment such as minerals, plants, berries and animals. The common belief was that the more ingredients in a medicine, the stronger the medicine became and the more powerful the results. Interesting to note that Nicolaus Copernicus documented that his formulas for medicine included 22 specific ingredients --- and one of them was Baltic amber.
We recognize that amber has been around a very long time. But what is it that amber possesses that has made it a unique contributor to health since the beginning of recorded time? It's simple, actually. It has a substance - or ingredient - called succinic acid. A powerful anti oxidant that helps fight toxic free radicals and disruptions of the cardiac rhythm, succinic acid has been shown to stimulate neural system recovery and bolster the immune system, and help compensate for energy drain in the body and brain, boosting awareness, concentration and reflexes, and reducing stress. Baltic amber contains 3-8% of succinic acid, a scientifically examined medical substance used in contemporary medicine. The highest content of the acid is found in the amber cortex--the external layer of the stone. There is much documentation regarding the power of succinic acid. Albert The Great, born in 1193 who later became a Dominican monk, called Natural Baltic Amber "Succinium" and stated that it was the most effective medicine of the time followed by other substances such as ocastoreum, mors, camphor, tartarus, and aurum. People of that time also made amber tinctures from beer, wine and water and declared them effective against everything from stomach aches to rheumatism.
Recent scientific research has also proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human organism. It strengthens the body, improves immunity, the course of energy-related processes and the balance of acids. Succinic acid was analyzed by the pioneer of modern bacteriology, the Nobel Prize winner, Robert Kock (1886), who confirmed its positive influence and discovered that there is no risk of the accumulation of surplus amounts of succinic acid in the human organism, even after the introduction of considerable amounts into the body.

In present day times, tens of effective medicines containing succinic acid have been manufactured and patented, especially in the USA and Russia. Of particular value are pharmaceuticals preventing the aging of human cells, which use succinic acid as an inhibitor (an agent slowing down or totally stopping the loss of) of potassim ions and an antioxidant. Therefore, the acid may be called a scientifically described, modern elixir of youth. Succinic acid is also a valuable product for sportspeople. It is not a stimulant improving one's effort on a single event basis, but rather a stimulator of a balanced, comprehensive development. Dr. Veniamin Khazanov of the RAS' Institute of Pharmacology at the Tomsk Scientific Center wrote: "For aged people, succinic acid has proved to be indispensable. It is capable of restoring the energy balance at the cellular level, which is often upset as the years go by, and helps the patient regain his youthful energy." He says also that it has proven the equal or better of many commercial drugs and is significantly less expensive. Further, research at the University of Hamburg, Germany confirms the safe and positive effects of succinic and fumaric acids in cellular metabolism.

Succinic acid is found in many contemporary plants and is a common and indispensable food ingredient. However, deficiencies of succinic acid are frequent as it is rarely found in nature. Even unripe gooseberries and rhubarb stalks, which are the richest in the acid, contain a thousand times less of the acid than the Baltic amber succinite. Succinates (most often calcium succinate, potassium succinate, and sodium succinate,) which excellently stimulate the development and proper functioning of the human organism, are used for medicinal purposes. Succinates are very effective after long-lasting illnesses and injuries. They make it possible for the pacient to regain immunity to disease as well as intellectual fitness complete with the ability to concentrate. The Baltic amber-succinite is a natural fossilized resin. Initially it must have been used by plants as an antibiotic against viruses, substance healing cuts or a plaster for wound dressing. Its mysterious, not yet fully recognized unusual properties have always aroused curiosity and exerted fascination on people. They evoked awe and respect, but never fear or dread as was the case with some precious stones. Amber inspired magicians, doctors, scientists and artists. They could see that it is a stone which is alive, which is constantly changing. Not much has changed since then in this respect.
Amber is trying to communicate with us, but we are still unable to understand it and discover its secrets. We do not even know which tree produced this fantastic resin 50 million years ago. There is magical power in the Baltic amber (succinite). It is an exclusively good power, worth getting familiar with and it is for our protection. . Current research confirms what people have felt and believed in for centuries. There is magical power in the Baltic amber (succinite). It is an exclusively good power, worth getting familiar with and it is for our protection.
Certainly, that's a very big complement to Natural Baltic Amber but for those of us who have grown up with this amazing fossilized resin from an ancient forest, we are happy to have amber in our ordinary everyday lives -- for its power to heal, restore well being and relieve pain and stress. It is a friend that we just can do without.
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If you ask any Lithuanian about the origin of amber, most probably you will hear a legend of a tragic love between goddess Jurate and fisherman Kastytis. God Perkunas, after finding out that the mortal son of earth dared to touch the Goddess of the Baltics, threw down a bolt of lightning, which shattered the amber palace on the bottom of the sea and drowned Kastytis together with his boat. Ever since, waves have been washing ashore pieces of amber - fragments of the palace and after storms the shore is strewn smaller pieces - Jurate's tears that she is still continuing to shed.

Baltic amber is fossil resin produced by pine trees which grew in Northern Europe about 50 million years ago. The resin was washed out of the forest floor by large rivers and transported south towards the sea. In the course of time the resin was transformed to amber due to processes of polymerization and oxidation.

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In the middle of the nineteenth century scientists discovered ways to synthesize natural precious substances and Baltic amber fell prey to falsification. Nowadays the falsification of amber (especially inclusions) is widespread. People who know only a few things about amber could be deceived. The falsifications could be sold as natural amber to them and sometimes for high price. In this article we will observe the most popular amber falsifications and the ways to distinguish them from real amber.

MATERIALS MOSTLY USED FOR AMBER IMITATIONS:

Copal

Glass

Fenolic resins

Celluloid

Casein

Modern plastic

Copal

Copal is sold as Baltic amber, but in fact this is very young tree resins( 1000- 1million years old). Natural inclusions are possible in Copal, but usually they are falsified. Insects are inserted in them that are too big and too good-looking. Copal melts at rather a low temperature (lower than 150 C ), and tends to melts rather than burn. After heating it diffuses the "sweet" smell of burning resins.

Glass

It is easy to distinguish glass from amber: it is more solid; it cannot be scratched by metal. Glass is cold and fireproof.

Fenolic resins

Frequently, this material is found in artificial amber beads. These amber beads have especially exact shape (oval, faceted), the color is very similar to real amber (dark red, cloudy yellow, limpid). After heating it does not diffuse the smell of pine-tree resins, which is characteristic for Baltic amber.

Celluloid

Celluloid (cellulose nitrate) is usually yellow and cloudy. Optically it is difficult to distinguish it from amber. Celluloid is more solid and not so combustible. After heating it diffuses the smell of burnt plastic.

Casein

This is a plastic made from milk. The beads have cloudy, turbid yellow color. It is a little bit heavier than amber. After heating it diffuses the smell of burnt plastic.

Modern plastic

Modern plastic (polyester, polystyrene) are used to produce artificial amber and inclusions. Optically this substitute can hardly be distinguished because with it authentic amber colors and limpidity can be obtained. Like in Copal, falsified inclusions are too big (more than 10 mm) and clearly seen, inserted in the very center of plastic. After heating it diffuses the smell of burnt plastic.

TESTS TO ASCERTAIN REAL AMBER

"Smell" test Smell tests are the most effective because natural amber has a specific smell, which is difficult to obtain when producing falsifications. After heating real Baltic amber diffuses the specific delicate fragrance of pine-tree resins. Falsifications using Copal diffuse the smell of "sweet" resins when heated and those using other materials diffuse the smell of burnt plastic.

"Rubbing" tests

(The best way is to rub into the palm of the hand) It is possible to heat real amber by rubbing until it releases the smell of pine- tree resins. This needs a very strong hand, as it is rather difficult to heat amber (especially when polished) to the necessary temperature, and it could be difficult to make an experiment with amber set in jewelry, as trying to rub it into other materials the amber could get scratched.

"Hot needle" tests- the most effective

To stick a heated needle into an imperceptible place in the amber (a hole of a drilled bead, etc.). If you smell definite pine-tree resins it means it is real amber. Deficiency: the slight mark of burning remains-this is incorrectable.

Amber is fragile - sticking with a hot needle you will notice some cracks, while a needle will pierce plastic without cracking it.

IR-spectroscopy

IR-spectroscopy is the most effective scientific method for identifying fossil resins. Baltic amber could be characterized by IR-spectrum segment called "Baltic amber shoulder".

Heat treatment

All natural amber contains microscopic bubbles. When you apply heat to a single piece of amber, these bubbles evaporate and the amber becomes transparent. The greater the temperature, the darker the amber will become.
This technique can be used to discern if the precious amber contains any inclusions. It is also used to add variety to the coloration of natural amber. It does not, however, increase or decrease the value of real amber or the healing ability of natural amber.

Pressed amber

When small remnants of amber are fused together using high pressure or major heat source, the result is called "pressed" amber. While pressed amber is cheap and relatively available, it will not perform the same way original, natural amber does. Because the original pieces of amber have been compressed, the singular power of each piece is compromised. It is inexpensive to buy but if you're interested in the natural powers of original amber, you will not experience them with pressed product.

Reliable shops

There are a lot of complicated methods how to ascertain natural amber, however, the safest way to purchase Real amber is by buying it in reliable shops.

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Amber does not belong to any class of minerals, since it is drained resin. From a chemical point of view, amber consists of 79 percent carbon, 10.5 percent hydrogen and 10.5 percent oxygen. Studies with a mass spectrometer have shown that amber contains over 40 compounds as well as succinic acids and additive salts of potassium, sodium and iron. Amber extends over three groups of compounds: volatile terpenes and sesquiterpenes, soluble, organic acids and also non-soluble polyether.
It ranges from bright yellow to dark yellow or brownish-orange, depending on its age and where it is found: it seldom cases it is either red or blue. Only a small quantity of amber is clear - because of the effects of the sum -, most of it is opaque. It takes an electrical charge when it is rubbed and develops a "christmas-like" smell when it is burnt.
Learned scholars and scientists disagreed with each other for a long time about the origin and properties of amber. The history of its origin was only clearly researched in the 19th century. Enclosures, such as water bubbles, gas bubbles, pieces of bark, twigs, plant seeds and even insects and small animals unmistakably show its origin and give it its characteristic appearance.

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Amber truly possesses a life-giving energy. It takes its beginning in luxuriant forests as old as the mother earth itself. Later waters and masses of ground fell on them. However the treasures of those times survived preserved in it, therefore amber contains joy and happiness. From ancient times people living in the territory of our motherland used to dug amber out if its burying places and enrich it with something from their own lives. They would inscribe pieces of amber with their feelings along with nice wishes, put them on strings, and give as gifts to their beloved ones so that they could accompany them in this or another life. Vydunas

Scientists say that amber (or succinite) is a fossil pine resin that has achieved a stable state through oxidation, action of micro-organisms and other processes. If we want to image how everything happened, we should travel some tens of millions of years back to the southern regions of the present-day Scandinavia and nearby regions of the bed of the Baltic Sea (the formation of the Baltic Sea began only 13 thousand years ago) where conifer forests grew more than 55 million years ago. The climate became warmer and conifer trees started to exude big amounts of resin. Any smallest wound caused excessive flow of resin. Of course, today there is no one type of pine which had similar characteristics to those of the fossil trees.

The transformation of resin into amber continued from the moment of secretion until its burial into Sambia deposit. Due to various processes resins underwent different changes and a material which was not similar to the original resins was formed. Later amber was washed out and brought to different river backwaters. The layer of amber was covered by delta sediments and survives to the present day. One cubic meter of this rock, which is called blue ground, contains from 0,5 to 2,5 kilogram amber. The biggest known deposit of amber is 7-8 meter thick layer of such ground 30-40 cm below sea level near Palvininkai.

It is thought that in the whole region of western Sambia Peninsular there are several hundred thousand tons of amber, and in Courland Lagoon, near Juodkrante, 3000 hectares of amber-containing ground have been found. In this region of Baltic sea aproximately 90 percent of all amber (fossil resins) in the world are found. Literature
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