Copper: The Forgotten Healing Mineral—Why It Was Suppressed and How It Can Help Your Body
Copper is a native mineral that can be found in rocks, soil, and water. Once used as a healing substance to help patients recover in hospitals, today you will rarely hear about it because it was suppressed and did not fit the medical model very well due to its healing properties. In today’s article, we will look back at history—how it was used, why it was suppressed, and how you can bring it into your life to support your health.
A Look Back at History
In the 19th century, holistic medicine was widely recognized in America. Doctors and alternative practitioners used high-frequency materials, colors, herbs, and food as medicine. One common healing practice was using copper as part of treatment protocols to help address illnesses and infections.
But what happened afterward? Why was it largely forgotten and removed from mainstream use?
John D. Rockefeller was the first billionaire in the United States, and with all of his wealth, he had a huge influence on and helped reshape the medical industry.
He funded the medical system, and as a result, doctors gradually stopped learning about holistic treatments for their patients and began prescribing drugs instead.
People would continually return for more treatments, becoming lifelong patients dependent on the system. This marked the beginning of what we now know as Big Pharma, and it was a huge setback for holistic medicine. This approach fit very well into his business plan.
With this major change in the medical system, copper began to quietly disappear.....
Copper is not new to the world. The ancient Egyptians were already using it around 3000 BC, mainly for its antibacterial properties and its ability to help heal wounds. But it wasn’t only known to the Egyptians—copper was also widely used in ancient China and Greece to prevent infections.
In ancient Greece, Dioscorides applied a green copper-based pigment to treat eye conditions, while the Hippocratic texts suggested it for leg ulcers. Pliny wrote about copper’s use for intestinal worms, mouth sores, and ear problems. In the Americas, the Aztecs used copper mixtures as a gargle for sore throats, and in Mongolia, tribes treated venereal ulcers with copper sulfate.
Why This Ancient Metal Kills Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi
Copper has a natural ability to destroy bacteria, viruses, and fungi—a property known as the oligodynamic effect. The process works in several ways:
1) Cell membrane damage – Copper ions attach to the microbial cell wall and membrane, causing them to weaken and rupture.
2) DNA and RNA damage – Copper ions can penetrate the cell and bind to its genetic material, breaking it apart and stopping replication.
3) Oxidative stress – Copper can generate reactive oxygen species (free radicals) inside the microbe, which further damages cellular structures.
The General Health Benefits of Copper
Immune System Support
Copper is crucial for a robust immune system, as it aids in the production of white blood cells that fight off infections. A deficiency in copper can lead to neutropenia, which is a low level of white blood cells, making the body more susceptible to infections.
Skin and Hair Health
Copper contributes to healthy skin and hair by playing a vital role in the production of collagen and melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin and hair color, and a copper deficiency can lead to hypopigmentation or lightened skin color. Copper also aids in repairing damaged skin, reducing fine lines, fighting acne due to its antimicrobial nature, and promoting wound healing
Bone Strength
While calcium is widely recognized for bone health, copper is also essential for maintaining strong bones. It is necessary for proper bone development, and a deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis. A significant portion of the copper in the body is stored in bones and muscles.
Cognitive Function and Nervous System Health
Copper plays a role in maintaining neurological function and supporting normal brain development. It helps in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers crucial for brain communication
Copper and Anemia Connection
Without adequate copper, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin, which can lead to anemia, characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. Copper also assists in the absorption and transport of iron, which is critical for hemoglobin formation.
When you go to the doctor and they find out you are anemic, in most cases they give you iron pills to “fix the issue.” What they often do not mention is what excess iron in your body can do to your body.
In the 1960s, the World Health Organization observed that giving iron supplements to people with anemia in Africa was linked to a significant rise in deaths from infectious illnesses, particularly malaria. At the same time, scientists started discovering that controlling iron levels is a key role of the immune system.
This likely developed because iron is essential for the survival and growth of all cells, including those of bacteria, parasites, and cancer. Early researchers studying iron’s role in immunity suggested that too much iron in the diet might increase the risk of leukemia and cancers of the lymphatic system.
Similar to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and nickel, stored iron can generate harmful free radicals. The damage caused by these iron-related free radicals closely resembles the effects of radiation exposure, like X-rays and gamma rays, as both speed up the buildup of age-related pigments and other aging processes. Excess iron also plays a major role in turning stress into tissue damage through free radical activity.
Copper deficiency is an acknowledged yet frequently overlooked cause of anemia and leukopenia. It is recognized as a common cause of hypochromic microcytic anemia, leukopenia, and neuropathy. The anemia resulting from copper deficiency is unresponsive to iron therapy but can be corrected with copper supplementation......
How to Bring Copper Into Your Life
Foods that are rich in copper, low in phytates (which can prevent mineral absorption), and that I personally consume and approve of as a nurse include oysters, dark chocolate (tested for heavy metals), liver, kiwi, apricots, and bee pollen.
Another great way to ensure you are getting enough copper is to use a copper cup. You can purchase one at an antique store, or Etsy has some excellent options as well.
It should be made of 100% copper. In the evening, fill the cup with water and let it sit overnight.
By morning, the water will have absorbed trace copper ions from the vessel through the oligodynamic effect.
I recommend drinking this water after breakfast and throughout the day, rather than on an empty stomach, as some people may be sensitive and it could cause nausea.
Zinc and copper compete for intestinal absorption. Therefore, zinc supplementation can reduce copper levels. For this reason, it is advisable to take these supplements at different times of the day.
Dr. Hulda Clark’s perspective on copper
Dr. Clark viewed copper as a vital trace mineral involved in key bodily functions—such as forming red blood cells, aiding iron uptake, and supporting both nervous and immune system activity—and she advised her patients accordingly.
At the same time, she cautioned against copper toxicity, especially from inorganic sources such as copper plumbing, which she labeled as carcinogenic. She pointed out that blood serum copper can test high even when cells are deficient, often due to poor absorption.
For individuals with cancer or other health concerns, she stressed removing copper from drinking water and dental materials, noting that copper toxicity repeatedly surfaced in her clinical findings.
In my view, excessive intake of any substance can be harmful, and the same applies to nutrients such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin D....
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