Posted by Ritch on April 19, 2002, at 13:24:04
In reply to lepidolite - natural form of lithium salts, posted by cmcdougall on April 19, 2002, at 10:46:50
> I know that litium is on the periodic chart but I don't think it is toxic except in high doses. (chem majors - help)
>
> Lepidolite has been mined all over the world for years because it is the natural source for lithium salts. I think litium salts are used in several manufacturing and/or smelting processes, as well as for medicinal purposes. Mineral springs that flow through lepidolite formations are also used as a source of lithium salts. I suppose because the salts are water soluble. (chemies?)
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> Metaphysical proponents believe that wearing a crystal of lepidolite will calm you down. New age shops sell it for that purpose, and rock shops sell it because its pretty. The rocks don't combust on exposure to air, but I don't know about the pure elemental salts.
>
> I bought a small piece of it and suck on it when I'm stressed out. I figure it can't hurt and just might help. Can't say that I've noticed any effects tho. Pathetic how some of us will try anything, huh? :-)
>
> It would be difficult if not impossible to determine how much lithium is contained in a particular chunk of lepidolite or even if I'm absorbing any by sucking on it.
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> What are the noticable and/or immediate effects when taking litium tablets? If I know, I would pay more attention...
>
>
> Love and luck to all,
> Carly
Hi Carly,Basically, you will notice thirst and a need to drink water and some frequent urination. You might feel a little dazed. I was pretty wired up once and took 900mg all at once at bedtime and woke up feeling like I had been slapped by a Masonic Bible :-) There definitely is evidence that it and other mood stabilizers have a neuroprotective effect. I just have a tiny quibble about the idea of "natural" versus "pharmaceutical" lithium. I believe that once whatever lithium you ingest gets into your stomach the lithium ions (Li2-) disassociate from whatever other ions they are bound to and begin entering your bloodstream. I just think you might as well just get a script for some generic lithium carbonate, take a quarter tab every day (like a baby aspirin!) and you are only out a few quarters (it is incredibly cheap). One thing that is neat about it-you can crumble a tab up and sprinkle it in a candle flame and it turns red-looks really pretty ;)
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:102373
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103550.html