What is  Shungite?

Shungite is a unique black mineral formed over 2 billion years ago. Named in 1887, the mineral was discovered near the Karelian village of 'Shunga', in the region of Lake Onega, in the Russian Federation. Shungite has been used for healing purposes in Russia, as far back as the seventeenth and eighteenth century and was famous for it's pure spring water. The 'Marcial Waters' was the first health resort established by the Tsar Peter the Great in the region, and still exists today, partly as a museum.The purest deposits of Shungite are rare non- crystalline, allotropic forms of carbon, a new generation of natural mineral sorbents, with high super-conductivity. There are three distinct grades of Shungite, with the highest grade being 98% carbon (Elite 'Silver' Shungite). Shungite has the abillity to catalytically oxidize organic substances absorbed on its surface, and is a very powerful natural anti-oxidant, which can remove free radicals, out of water, 30 times more effectively than activated carbon. This is important as the build up of free radical from water treatments may impact negatively on health.

Shungite can contain 'Fullerenes' - a special hollow carbon molecule containing 60 or more carbon atoms, as a lattice structure. Russian medical scientists have studied and used Shungite for many years showing potential following complimentary effects:

Anti-oxidant properties; Anti-inflammatory properties; Elimination and neutralisation of toxins; improves healing of wounds and burns; improves joint pains, skin and digestive disorders. 

In addition, other important properties have been discovered in Shungite; High absorption capacity of organic and inorganic substances; Anti-bacterial; Anti-viral; Anti-Histamine; helps to protect from geopathic stress and can effectively protect against electromagnetic and radio waves. Shungite has shown to be biologically active, having many benefits when used for ecological and agricultural purposes, for domestic or commercial use. In industry, Shungite can be applied to increase crop production, increases water retention, helps reduce the acidity of the soil, minimising the need for fertilizers and chemical applications. Shungite is used in various branches of industry and  widely used for microwave absorbers. It has been proven to be environmentally friendly and ecologically safe.

Carbon is one of the most common elements and the the basis for all organic life.

In 1996 the noble prize in chemistry was awarded to Smalley, Kroto, and Curl, for the 1985 discovery

of 'Fullerenes' by laser irradiation of solid graphite. The fullerene-like structure has also been found in graphite, carbon soot and Shungite. 

Shungite contains a unique ‘Fullerene' carbon structure that gives it great advantages for water purification, agriculture and protection purposes. Further and more extensive mineralogical and geochemical investigations have been carried out by international scientists researching into new applications in various branches of science, industry, and technology, developing a basis for a variety of new nano-technological materials with nano-molecular structures. 

The discovery of natural ‘Fullerenes’ has great implications for all the natural sciences.

Investigations of Shungite's mineralogical and geochemical properties have been carried out by Russian and other International scientists. Large amounts of this elemental carbon form has been found in the Lower Proterozoic rocks in the district of Shunga and are widespread in Zaonezhye and other areas of the Republic of Karelia. This interesting carbon form was formed from a tectonically active transition zone between the Baltic Sheild and the Russian Platform. 

The above images are a collection of the various grades of Shungite, which are currenty available.

The quality of Shungite may vary due to the sustainabillity of deposits and depth of excavations. 

Many of the products supplied by Health-Pursuits are items of Elite Shungite or Shungite from the Zazhoginsky field, with

protocol of Laboratory testing 856 from 20.02.2016. Federal State, Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Karelia. Shungite is non toxic, enviromentally safe and does not require disposal.

This is not meant to replace medical advice, if you have any health concerns please consult your general practioner. The application of these products are undertaken at the users discresion and Health Pursuits take no responsibility for any injury or illness caused. Wash before use.

A range of food unique to the area is available in many of the resturants. These foods include stews, hot pots, soups and meats such as Elk, Moose, Bear, Fish and game birds, along  with baked breads and cheeses. The most renowned being ‘Kalitka’ a baked rye flour dough filled with mashed potato or cottage cheese. White and milk mushrooms with onions or in soups are often served as starters. Karelia is a great source of wild berries like cloud berries, red bil-berries, cranberries and blue berries. They are used creatively in many deserts and strong liquors. During the second world war many factories were built in the city to manufacture weapons and ammunion by Tsar Peter the Great. Founded in 1703, Petrozavodsk was given its name which, directly translates into English as ‘Peter’s Factory’. There are many attractions in the city, including pre-war architecture, the Round Square, an enlarged Carbon Fullerens Structure displayed out side the University of Petrozavodsk, the statue of Peter the Great, and artwork like the Whispering tree, located along the banks of the Lake. The Lake its self is an incredible sight, with a surface area of 9700 km2 its difficult the understand the size of the lake from the bay of Petrozavosk.

The village of Shunga gained its name in 1887 from the mineral Shungite which was discovered as early as the 15th century. The village is picturesque and situated along the river with small stalls and a market. The road through Shunga was once used as a main trading route from the White Sea and has therefore been a stopping point for traders and merchants. There are mines and quarries located around the village, most are now closed or abandoned.

The active quarries has large deposits of Shungite mixed with various other minerals such as Pyrite and Quartz. The mining operations are steady. Access is limited. Situated in the Zazhogoninsky deposit is a large mass of water collected in the quarried Shungite, subsequently creating a healing pool of Shungite water. It is said that the local people travel here in the summer warmth to bath in the pool for its healing and cleansing effects.

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References

[1] http://www.shungite-anata.com

http://rspublication.com/ijst/dec13/2.pdf

Scientific Congress in 2006 in Karelia, Russia focused solely on Shungite with research presentation on the benefits of Shungite:

• Anti-bacterial (Krutuos, 2002, Rysev, Khadartsev 2002)
• Anti-Viral (Khadartsev 2002)
• Immunostimulant, in the absence of a response to  the stimulation if IgE ( immunoglobulin E) (Khadartsev 2002
• Anti-inflammatory/anti oxidant (blocking the peroxidation of lipids) (Krutous 2002; Rysev)
• Anti-histamine (Rysev and others)
• Protection from ionising and non ionising radiation ( Kurotchchencko, Subbotina, and other 2002)

Alekseev, N.I.D.V Afanaas’ev, B.O. Bodyyagin, A.K. Sirotkin, N.A. Charykov, and O.V. Arpov ‘A possible Mechanism of Formation of Fullerene, Nanparticles in Shungites’ Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry 80, no 1 (2006): 139-146.

Becker, Luan, Jeffrey l. Bada, Robert J.Poreda, and T.E. Bunch, ‘Extra-Terrestial Helium (He@C60) Trapped in Fullerenes in the Sudbury Impact Structure’ (abstract of meeting, Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary Evolution’ 1977). Lunar and Planetary Institute Website, accessed August 20, 2013, www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/impacts97/pdf/6079.pdf

Buseck, Peter R.. Semeon J. Tsipursky, and Robert Hettich. ‘Fullerenes from the Geological  Environment’ Science 257, no 5067 (July 1992), 215-17

Cami, Jan, Jeronimo Bernard-Salas, Els Peeters, and Sarah Elizabeth Malek. Detection of C60 and C70 in a Young Planetary Nebula.’ Science 329, no 5996 (September 2010); 1180-82.

Koshland, Daniel  E., Jr. ‘Molecule of the year’ Science254, no. 5039 ( December 1991): 1705.

Kurotchencko, S.P., T.I. Subbotina, I.I.Tuktamyshev, I. Sh.Tuktamyshev, A.A.Khadartsev, and A.A. Yashin. ‘Shielding Effect of Mineral Schungite during Electromagnetic Irradiation of Rats.’ Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine 136, no.5 (November 2003): 458-59.

Parthasarathy, G.,R. Srinivasan, M. Vairamani, K. Ravikumar, and A.C. Kunwar. ‘Occurance of Fullerenes in Low Grade Metamorphosed Proterozic Shungite in Karelia, Russia.’ Geochimica et Cosomochimica Acta 62, no.21-22 (November 1998): 3541-44.