My research into the health benefits of negative ions was sparked by an ad selling clothing and bedding charged with them. It seemed an obvious hoax to sell another useless product promising magical benefits at a high cost. My curiousity was further piqued while watching a health show in which the host was treated to a detoxing footbath at a spa in San Francisco. The bath was simply a tub of water and a negative ion generator. The generator had a metal needle which gave off a small electrical charge and was placed in the water along with the woman's feet. Within thirty minutes, the clear water had turned to a black, foaming tub of pond scum. The spa owner explained that the feet contain over 2,000 pores and the negative ions that were generated, entered her body's fluids, stimulating her organs, glands, and lymph nodes to release and flush the toxins out of her body, through her feet.

Negative ions are widely accepted as promoting healing of the body in many ways. I did not realize how prevelant and well-documented the use of negative ions for health purposes is until today. Negative ions increase the efficiency of the body's immune system, attack bacteria not only in the body but, also in the air. Negative ions give one a sense of well-being by balancing seratonin levels and is an effective compliment for treating depression and anxiety. In fact, our bodies use negative charged hydrogen ions constantly to fight off disease and the damaging effects of positive ions, better known as free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for cellular damage, aging and the degeneration of our bodies as they ravage and take away electrons from other cells seeking to neutralize their highly imbalanced charge. Negative hydrogen ions have an extra electron to give to the body and is thus enriching to our overall physical and emotional health.

What types of environments produce negative ions naturally? The short answer is; moving water. Rainstorms, waterfalls, rivers, streams, ocean waves, and plants enrich the air with negative ions. The spray of water releases negatively charged hydrogen particles into the air and effectively purifies the environment, as well as promotes health and healing in all living organisms. Introducing houseplants, water fountains, aquariums, or negative ion air purifiers in your home and work place will promote mental clarity, improved brain function, increased energy, emotional positivity, healing and immunity to flues and viruses. It will also soothe your allergies, asthma, hayfever, migrane headaches and any respiratory issues you may have. Negative ion air purifiers cleanse the air more effectively than any other air purifier on the market because the ions work at a sub-atomic particle level unlike physical filters.

Conversely, what types of environments generate positive ions/free radicals? Desert environments, dry hot places, cities, electrical equipment, smoke and exhaust, anywhere there is a prevelance of sun, lack of moving water, and abundance of EMF's (electromagnetic frequencies) produced by powerlines, computers, TVs, cell phones, WiFi, etc.  Central air and heat also promote positive ions in your home or office. The constant recirculation of the same air through a machine keeps the same dust and bacteria re-circulating through the air in an airtight building. The friction of the recirculating air through the airconditiong or heating unit produces positive ions and thus promotes sickness.

To create a healthier environment for yourself, introduce more houseplants, water fountains, and negative ion air purifiers. To counteract the EMF's given off by your computer and television, try placing a salt rock lamp or water feature nearby. The salt rock lamps were another thing I thought were kind of hoaxy but, apparently they really do work by increasing the negative ions in the air by 300%.

There are many negative ion generators, air filters, spa treatments, devices for your car, cell phone and work  space, even jewlery that you can purchase to battle the imbalance of ions created by the technology and industry that overwhelms modern civilization. Unless you live in the woods near a stream, on an ocean coast, near a waterfall, or in a remote area with lots of rainfall- you might want to consider introducing some negative ion producing elements into your environment. Enjoy rejuvenated health, slow the aging process, cure depression and anxiety, and enjoy a more positive state of health and well-being. Try it for health's sake!

http://www.inspiredliving.com/surround-air-ionizers/benefits-negative-io...

http://www.health-benefit-of-water.com/negative-ions.html