Amber Bead Teething Necklace

Praise God, our great Creator for all the beautiful and amazing gifts He has given us on this earth. I'm referring to things like mint tea for digestion, lavender oil for relaxation, ginger for depression, asparagus as an aphrodisiac, cloves for oral anaesthetic, dock leaves for nettle stings and amber for inflammation, the list goes on. "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything" Genesis 9:v3

My mum first suggested that I try an amber bead necklace with William when he was cutting his first tooth. He wasn't sleeping, continuously crying and not drinking or eating, I'm not sure who was suffering more, me or William!

But, I go to church!........amber beads, isn't that a bit dodgy? Like lining up crystals in a certain way to promote wellbeing, or feng shui to direct the right energy through your home? So, I did some research online, checked out the history of amber use, spoke to my friends and community group from church, prayed about it and the conclusion was, in my opinion; no, not at all like any of those things, it’s a gift from God for us to use.

So, I purchased a necklace online and within a couple of hours of William wearing it he seemed calmer, happier and the redness in his cheeks had actually reduced.

So, how does it work? Quite simply, amber is a resin which when placed against the skin acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Of course, you can use ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation, but the necklace works and is not a drug. "Fruit trees of all kinds will grow....their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing" Ezekiel 47v12

There will always be a debate among Christians about the use of 'alternative' medicines, natural remedies and even the use of many prescribed medications. But why the controversy? Is it because it's a 'bead', considered a symbol, power or 'special' stone that promotes some attention, wealth or beauty? I would reply, "no more than that diamond ring on your finger". And, remember the wise men brought baby Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts, frankincense is a resin known for its medicinal and soothing properties. Myrrh, also a resin considered a wound healer because of its strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and was one of the burial spices used at Jesus' death (John 19:39)

I found this paragraph on http://www.gotquestions.org/ which talks a bit about alternative medicine within Christianity. "The maximizing of health is certainly in line with the Scriptures. The Bible is clear that we are to take good care of our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) as they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. There are many verses that speak of using “medical treatments” such as applying bandages (Isaiah 1:6), oil (James 5:14), oil and wine (Luke 10:34), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12), wine (1 Timothy 5:23), and salves, particularly the “balm of Gilead” (Jeremiah 8:22). Many of these treatments would be considered holistic today, as holistic medicine often shies away from drugs and surgery at least as first treatments. In addition, many Christians have benefited from principles embodied in holistic medicine."

This website, http://www.scottseverance.us/ministry/jewelry.html, talks about the wearing of jewellery, although I do not consider the teething necklace an item of 'jewellery' as such, I felt it important to make reference and not ignore the fact, it makes interesting reading. http://www.scottseverance.us/ministry/jewelry.html

I'd recommend amber to any of my mummy friends struggling with a teething baby, they are not a cure, but will take the edge off things. There are a lot of stockists online, obviously avoid the sites that sell 'weird' stuff too, genuine Baltic amber is what to look for and you should find one for under a tenner. They are not considered a chocking hazard and as long as you don't start praying to the beads I think you'll be Ok.

Check out this great site for more comments from Christian mummies on amber beads.

http://community.babycentre.co.uk/post/a7007095/christians_using_amber_necklaces

Let me know your thoughts and experiences.....