The Phoenicians "believed the light of the sun is the sincere energy of an intellect perfectly pure; its fountain is not just body, but the sincere energy of intellect, illuminating in its proper habitation the middle region of the heavens: scattering its light, it fills all the celestial orbs with powerful vigor, and illuminates the universe with divine and incorruptible light."
Julian also remarked, "I earnestly entreat the sun, the king of the universe, that he will be propitious to me for my affection to his divinity; that he will impart to me a good life; more perfect wisdom; a divine intellect; and a gentle departure from the present state of my earth life."
Thus the ancients had a fascination for many aspects that the sun provided. Taking into consideration just the physical aspect, we tend to overlook the importance of the sun in healing, due to the increased fear regarding skin cancer. The ancients knew the sun was a source of health, and sun-bathing is mentioned far back in antiquity. Science has discovered that the effect of light and heat from the sun, stimulates the functional activities of cells, and stimulates and promotes elimination of toxins through the sweat glands and induces an increased influx of blood.
Researchers have also furnished evidence that there is a decrease in red-cell count and a lowering of hemoglobin in the blood when individuals are placed in darkness. Of course the most important aspect is getting adequate amount of sunshine for its Vitamin D. Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that those with the lowest vitamin D levels have more than double the risk of dying from heart disease and other causes over an eight-year period compared with those with the highest vitamin D levels.
- "that with the influence of sunlight; pain, fever and chills disappear readily and the condition of the blood is often improved."
- "Anemic, chlorotic and scrofulous patients have been found to derive immeasurable benefit from sun-baths."
- "Sun-baths have shown to help with sinus infections and ulcers, which after exposure, start with a profuse discharge that occurs, followed by sloughing, the formation of healthy tissue, and a gradual drying and healing of the sinus infection or ulcer."
Florence Nightingale also realized the importance of natural sunlight on health, insisting that patients should have sunlight in their sick rooms.
Those of us who are spending a lot of time on computers need to be cognizant of receiving the maximum beneficial effects of the sun. A lot of problems may be stemming from being too sedentary and not receiving enough direct sunlight. Sometimes the easiest solutions have the most profound effects.
To empower.