For centuries, families in Europe have used an amber teething necklace for teething babies as a traditional aid. The Celts, Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Arabs and people from the Nordic regions all value the healing properties of amber.
Amber originates from prehistoric pine trees that date back 50 million years. When worn against the skin, the warmth emanated by the body releases succinic oils from the amber – which is known to have pain killing properties and heals wounds.
Nobel Prize winning scientist, Robert Koch, studied the properties of succinic acid and confirmed its positive traits. He also established its safety by determining that there was no danger of succinic acid building up within the body.
In TCM amber is also believed to calm the mind and spirit.
What is an amber teething necklace?
Amber necklaces used for teething babies are around 12 inches long and weigh in about 8 grams. They come in a variety of colours ranging from light yellow to dark honey. The lighter coloured necklaces are believed to be more effective.
Unlike teethers, the amber teething necklace is not meant to be chewed or played with.
According to online store, Amber J Necklaces, "Amber, if swallowed, is non-toxic, however, the necklace is a choking hazard. The amber teething necklace is not for chewing. The necklace should be worn directly against the skin, for example, under a shirt around the neck, or under a sock, around the ankles."
How to identify real Amber
1. Heated amber will emit a sweet pleasant aroma. If you stick a heated needle into amber and smell definite pine-tree resins, then it is genuine.
2. Amber floats in seawater. Salt-saturated water reveals fake amber because imitations sink in salt water.
3. Amber is warm to the touch and when rubbed, it becomes electro-statically charged and attracts lint.
Additional tips
1. Since amber melts in heat, do not wear it in the bath or shower.
2. For the benefits of amber to work, the baby should wear the necklace as much as possible.
3. Any time you wear something around your baby’s neck, there is a risk of choking. Thus do monitor your baby at all times when wearing the necklace and do not allow him to sleep with it.
4. Amber from the Baltic region of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is thought to be especially rich in succinic oils. They are believed to have up to 8% succinic acid.
Also read: How to tell if baby is teething
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore
