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Earthing have you tried it?

(50 Posts)
overthehill Fri 07-Aug-15 22:40:37

I have been researching extensively all alternative treatments to help me and my specific health problem.

I cough. This is nothing new, I have done this for years. However, this year I was really sick and ended up at the docs. Could be asthma, not sure, chest clear. To keep this short most avenues were investigated but no solution found.

My latest find is earthing and fingers crossed this seems to be doing something.

I am not a scientist but there is scientific evidence to back this up. Something to do with our bodies absorbing all the nasty electrical bits and by earthing or grounding as it also called redresses the balance

Earthing means just that. Kick off your shoes and walk on grass, earth, sand even untreated concrete to restore the body's natural state. By doing this it can improve your health by cutting inflammation, helping sleep curing pain etc.

I have found my cough has diminished and I am pleased.

Loads on the web about this, have a look.

Why not give it a go, costs nothing and maybe it will do you good.

Indinana Fri 07-Aug-15 22:49:02

Well I've never heard of it. I do recall, however, when we went up to Dartmoor to experience the total eclipse of the sun in August 1999 I found I instinctively wanted to take my shoes off and feel the bare grass between my toes. It was quite therapeutic. Not sure whether it healed anything, though...

granjura Sat 08-Aug-15 12:39:53

I walk barefoot all the time here- and I love it. I hug trees too...

As a diabetic, I have to be very careful with my feet- so I would not go walking in the wild- but I love walking on sand all around our lake beaches here too. 'healing' take so many forms- I believe being in touch with nature, vibrations, trees, grass, bird song, can 'heal' in many ways- but do not believe in miracle 'cures' of one kind or another- but with the holistic approach to the body and soul, and nature.

granjura Sat 08-Aug-15 12:40:45

earthing is also very much part of tai-chi and Gi-gung- in grounding and 'growing roots'.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 08-Aug-15 13:10:22

I remember walking barefoot in the garden. Got a thorn in foot which developed somehow into a corn. Gave me gip for years.

Sounds like cobblers.

sunseeker Sat 08-Aug-15 13:29:02

I am open minded about this kind of thing - if you try it and it works for you who cares what anyone else thinks. I went to a seminar recently about Mindfulness as I had heard a lot about it and wanted to find out more. I'm afraid they lost me when they said I should "walk as if your feet are kissing the ground" and then gave me a "pet" rock! However, it seems a lot of people are into Mindfulness so it obviously works for some.

merlotgran Sat 08-Aug-15 13:30:40

I go barefoot when my fallen arches aren't giving me gip but walking barefoot most of my childhood is what gave me fallen arches in the first place hmm

Nelliemoser Sat 08-Aug-15 13:51:24

I agree with sunseeker if it makes you feel better then within reason try it.
There is a lot of evidence about the effects of stress and anxiety on pain and one's general welfare that shows that stress and anxiety can lead to illness. Our stress hormones supress the immune system.

Things like massage, relaxation etc improve wellbeing.

Grannyknot Sat 08-Aug-15 14:01:41

over I'm really curious to know - did you not ever walk barefoot outside before? I'm always barefoot outside and my neighbour asks "Doesn't the tar hurt your feet?" I have been known to even walk barefoot on a pebble beach - it's like having a free reflexology treatment smile

rosesarered Sat 08-Aug-15 14:05:57

Walking on short grass ( so you can see any objects, thorns, etc) is nice, also walking on warm firm sand at the beach, I don't think it does anything for the lungs though.

granjura Sat 08-Aug-15 14:59:09

our kitchen has a very old terracotta tiled floor- in this hot weather, it always feel so wonderful - been in and out of the house and garden all day- and always barefoot- feels great and you do feel more 'connected' somehow... honest.

MargaretX Sat 08-Aug-15 15:24:22

Why is it called Earthing? why isn't it called going barefoot? I suppose you couldn't charge for it then.

Elegran Sat 08-Aug-15 15:50:01

Walking barefoot on short grass or sand or even around the house and garden de-stresses you (unless it is snowing) This is always good for your health, and can have a surprising effect on minor ailments - even major ones.

But the basic scientific assumptions of Dr Mercola don't hold water. Going barefoot is free, .but I don't think I would spend money on special grounding equipment.
skeptoid.com/blog/2013/01/26/more-mercola-misinformation-grounding-in-reverse/

granjura Sat 08-Aug-15 15:56:48

MargaretX- in Tai-chi/Gi Gung, connection to the earth, one of the main elements, through your feet- is called 'rooting' - I don't believe in all the mumbo jumbo either- but I am sure that connecting to the earth from time to time is quite 'therapeutic' - somehow.

ffinnochio Sat 08-Aug-15 16:45:54

I can't walk barefoot because it hurts, but why does earthing have to be through feet? Getting hands into soil, sand or water probably has a similar soothing effect. Swimming naked, lying on leaves in a wood, lifting the face in the rain - all good natural stuff.

Instead of being anxious about a cough, it gives you something else to think about. It's a fanciful name for learning to relax.

Pleased you're feeling better overthehill.

Grannyknot Sat 08-Aug-15 16:48:58

^^ I agree.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 08-Aug-15 18:13:42

You are supposed to buy a mat. And plug it in.

This: (From an article with swear words)

"Earthing is a complete misinterpretation of electrical grounding. Basically the claim these people make is that somehow, by being in contact with the earth (bare feet on bare ground, for example) we get some poorly specified electrical health benefit. They sell “earthing mats” and quite a few other items you have to electrically ground by connecting them to the 3rd (ground) pin in an electrical outlet, and which you then sleep, sit, or stand on to obtain the purported benefit."

Alea Sat 08-Aug-15 18:20:06

Why is it that every time I skim past this thread I read it as "Earthling" and have a mental image of little green aliens writing to us on GN?
"envy Take me to your leader earthling!!"

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 08-Aug-15 18:22:48

this tells you how to make your own earthing device

And it gives you a link to the website you can buy even better devices from.

Ingenuous smile

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 08-Aug-15 18:23:36

Alea shock

Behave! This is a very serious thread.

wink

annodomini Sat 08-Aug-15 18:29:37

Alea, I must admit to misreading the thread title the way you did. I'm still a bit mystified. I thought that being earthed was something to do with touching a live wire... grin

merlotgran Sat 08-Aug-15 18:30:55

I wish I'd known about this jingl. I could have achieved that effect last week by walking along DH's newly laid concrete path. shock

MargaretX Sat 08-Aug-15 18:57:07

It is an electric current which is 'earthed' If lightening strück you you would be earthed and that would be the end of you.

Walking barefoot on grass or snow or pebbles is enjoyable and free and as the hands contain more nerve endings than any other part of the body putting your hands in soil must work just as well.

ffinnochio Sat 08-Aug-15 19:29:59

Ye Gods, J! (re. 18.13.42) shock

Maggiemaybe Sat 08-Aug-15 20:02:03

Yes, when I saw earthing I thought it was something to do with electricity grin. I do walk barefoot whenever possible though, and always have. I get a bit angsty on beaches, not just because I once stood on a jellyfish and had to queue with other victims for treatment at the St John's Ambulance hut, but because I have an abiding memory of the public information film about not littering, which ends with a running child's foot poised to come down on a broken bottle neck hidden in the sand. shock

They were merciless, those public information films. I think they should bring them back.