Esoteric Healing Powers

There are a variety of theories regarding the healing properties of caves, particularly in relation to respiratory conditions and allergies. This is attributed to the high humidity, the low dust content and high carbon dioxide levels, which are measurable and do indeed have a relaxing effect on the autonomic nervous system. However, even with this scientifically recognised form of speleotherapy, the actual long-term effects are disputed and are often dismissed as pseudoscience. Health insurance funds rarely cover the costs.

Yet many products are on offer in the esoteric market. We are all familiar with the pink salt lamps made from Himalayan salt. This rip-off is at least pretty and harmless, but there are others that are by no means harmless. They are all scams, as they rely exclusively on the placebo effect.

However, the following examples relate specifically to caves and other underground attractions:

The topic of negative ions combines genuine physics with far-reaching esoteric – and in some cases dangerous – claims of healing. Negatively charged oxygen particles do indeed occur naturally, especially at waterfalls, by the sea or in caves as a result of physical processes. The subjective sensation of freshness at those places is usually due to clean, cool air and fine mist rather than any direct medicinal effect on the body. But the commercial market for ‘ion jewellery’ or healing products is often pseudoscientific and even involves radioactive materials.
Radionic measurement in caves shows, that the cave has a high level of Natural Earth Energy. 22,800 to 32,000 Bovis-units are measured, named after the French scientist Bovis, who never invented this unit because he never existed. The fact that he never existed is probably also the reason why he is not spinning in his grave today, given the use of his name. This fictitious scale goes from zero to infinite, a neutral value would be 6,500 Bovis units, higher values are life supporting.