In Eastern cultures, silver has long been regarded as a precious metal, not only for its economic value but also for its unique properties. In Vietnam, it is believed that silver has the ability to “ward off the wind,” helping to protect the body from the negative effects of the environment such as colds, wind exposure, and various illnesses caused by weather changes.
Particularly in traditional medicine, silver is considered to have cooling properties, helping to balance body temperature, reduce swelling and inflammation, and support the treatment of certain diseases. As a result, wearing silver bracelets, especially for children, has become a common practice aimed at disease prevention.
In the West, silver also plays a significant role in religious rituals and feng shui. Silver is seen as a metal that symbolizes the Moon, representing purity, protection, and good luck. In many families, wearing silver jewelry is viewed as a way to bring about spiritual and physical protection.
Does wearing a silver bracelet really ward off the wind and detoxify?
The belief that wearing a silver bracelet can ward off the wind and detoxify has ancient roots, intertwined with cultural and spiritual values. Although from a scientific perspective, this effect has not been clearly proven, it cannot be denied that silver possesses unique properties, including antibacterial capabilities and reactions with certain chemicals.
In Vietnam, young children are often given silver bracelets by adults to protect their health. It is believed that if a silver bracelet turns dark, it indicates that the wearer is not in good health; conversely, a shiny silver bracelet is a sign of good health.
Chemistry expert Associate Professor Bùi Thị An once told Khám Phá: “Throughout history, it has been concluded that silver and silver ions can neutralize toxins such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses; silver has been used for detoxification. Even in ancient royal courts, kings and queens used silver for utensils to avoid poisoning.”
Regarding the information that silver bracelets help absorb residual H2S for better health, the expert stated that silver or silver ions can react with certain substances to form salts, but specific reaction conditions are required; under humid tropical conditions, this may occur, but it is very rare. A tarnished silver bracelet is due to silver absorbing certain substances to form salts. “However, for those salts to be toxic, it is difficult; I am not aware of this,” Ms. Bùi Thị An said.
Many families have their children wear silver bracelets to ward off wind and detoxify. (Photo: Caraluna).
Silver can react with various substances, including some harmful compounds. Silver can change color, shifting from shiny to gray or black, which indicates that it has reacted with sulfur or other chemicals in the environment.
However, the discoloration of silver does not mean that it absorbs and eliminates toxins from the body. In reality, this is merely a surface chemical reaction between silver and substances in the air or from sweat, and it does not directly detoxify as many people might believe.
In modern medicine, silver is used for various purposes, including the production of medical equipment, antibacterial bandages, and even in some medications. Silver has strong antibacterial properties, capable of preventing the growth of bacteria and viruses, thereby helping to prevent infections.
However, silver in medicine is often used in the form of ions or compounds rather than pure silver like the bracelets, rings, or necklaces we commonly wear. Therefore, the direct detoxifying effect of wearing silver bracelets has not been scientifically and clearly proven.
Wearing a silver bracelet may not directly detoxify or prevent diseases, but it provides spiritual value, helping the wearer feel reassured and protected. This is also why silver bracelets remain popular.
If you wish to use silver as a preventive measure against diseases, remember that nothing can replace maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating scientifically, and practicing personal hygiene. Silver can be a beautiful accessory with spiritual value, but your health depends on many other factors, not merely wearing a bracelet.
