Effects of Far-Infrared Rays Emitted from Loess Bio-Balls on Lymphatic Circulation and Reduction of Inflammatory Fluids.

Background: FIR therapy is used in various medical settings to treat diseases associated with inflammation and edema. Unlike conventional FIR lamp therapy, this study investigated how body fluids change depending on the intensity and duration of FIR irradiation to the whole body. Method: Subjects in group A (n = 27) were exposed to FIR emitted from a loess bio-ball mat set at 40 °C for 30 min, and subjects in group B (n = 27) were exposed to FIR emitted from a loess bio-ball mat set at 30 °C for 7 h during sleep. Changes in bioimpedance parameters and fluid-related values were measured using a body fluid analyzer before and after exposure to FIR. Results: Changes in bioimpedance parameters associated with inflammatory fluids were quantitatively confirmed. In group A, there was a minimal change in fluid-related measurements. However, significant changes in bioimpedance parameters associated with inflammatory fluids were observed in group B exposure to FIR for 7 h during sleep. Conclusions: FIR emitted from loess bio-balls activates biological tissues and lymphatic circulation, gradually reducing the levels of inflammatory fluids over time.

Characteristics of Far-Infrared Ray Emitted from Functional Loess Bio-Balls and Its Effect on Improving Blood Flow.

XRD diffraction and IR absorption were investigated for raw loess powder and heat-treated loess powder. Raw loess retains its useful minerals, but loses their beneficial properties when calcined at 850 °C and 1050 °C. To utilize the useful minerals, loess balls were made using a low-temperature wet-drying method. The radiant energy and transmittance were measured for the loess balls. Far-infrared ray (FIR) emitted from loess bio-balls is selectively absorbed as higher vibrational energy by water molecules. FIR can raise the body's core temperature, thereby improving blood flow through the body's thermoregulatory mechanism. In an exploratory study with 40 participants, when the set temperature of the loess ball mat was increased from 25 °C to 50 °C, blood flow increased by 39.01%, from 37.48 mL/min to 52.11 mL/min, in the left middle finger; in addition, it increased by 39.62%, from 37.15 mL/min to 51.87 mL/min, in the right middle finger. The FIR emitted from loess balls can be widely applied, in various forms, to diseases related to blood flow, such as cold hands and feet, diabetic foot, muscle pain, and menstrual pain.