Brass: history and healing properties

• Brass properties
• History, legend and beliefs about brass
• Healing properties and benefits of brass

Brass properties

Brass, a subtle alloy of copper and zinc, offers an infinite range of possibilities through the targeted addition of lead, tin, nickel, chrome, or magnesium, each imparting unique properties. This diversity gives rise to a multitude of "brasses," each displaying its own metallic personality.

Its fascinating etymology, derived from the Arabic "Latun" for "copper" and possibly from the Turkish "Altun" for "gold," raises questions about its linguistic heritage. In English, it is called "brass," derived from Old English "Braes" or "bronze," adding a layer of mystery to its history.

Brass oxidizes over time and upon exposure to air, forming a layer known as verdigris on its surface.

Under a plethora of evocative names such as yellow copper, tombac, archal, Florentine or Venetian bronze, similor, or pinchbeck, brass evokes a cultural and historical richness as dazzling as its metallic sheen.

Brass is widely utilized across various industries, including precision instrument manufacturing, watchmaking, decoration, musical instruments, plumbing, locksmithing, armaments (cartridges), and even coin minting.

Its copper-rich composition grants brass antimicrobial properties, making it a germicidal metal capable of eliminating microorganisms after minutes or hours of exposure. This feature renders it a preferred choice for applications where hygiene is paramount.

History, legend and beliefs about brass

Brass, a precious alloy, is a material dating back to prehistoric times, with its secrets fully understood during the medieval period.

Its intentional development traces back to the Roman era, where zinc was gradually discovered and incorporated into copper to form brass. Previously, miners sought naturally zinc-rich copper ores. Zinc was gradually retrieved from nature, initially in accidental ways, to enrich copper.
Throughout the last millennium BCE, the use of brass spread from England to Spain, from Iran to India, eventually becoming sufficiently abundant to serve as currency, first in Phrygia and Bithynia, then throughout the Roman Empire.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, brass production declined during the Middle Ages, although its use remained relatively strong in Eastern Europe. Conversely, in the West, its usage was more limited.

Nevertheless, brass remained extremely popular in the Islamic world, where numerous new production techniques were developed to meet the growing demand.

After the medieval period, brass experiences a spectacular resurgence in Europe, becoming a major production, particularly due to the innovation of new manufacturing processes. It often replaces gold or silver in decoration, before the discovery of America made these precious metals more accessible.

In Africa, brass retains a special significance, often considered more valuable than in European societies.
The Yorubas of the Ife kingdom, in present-day Nigeria, stand out for their remarkable mastery of metallurgy. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, this prosperous civilization produced rich metalwork, prominently featuring brass.
Later, the Kingdom of Benin takes over from the 13th century onwards, becoming renowned for its brass plaque sculptures and masks, demonstrating the continuity and evolution of metallurgical craftsmanship in Africa.

Healing properties and benefits of brass

While brass is an alloy, its properties are often influenced by the metals it comprises, namely copper and zinc. However, certain specific benefits are often attributed to this material:

• Thanks to the presence of copper, brass is renowned for its effectiveness in treating skeletal issues such as arthritis or osteoporosis. Copper ions can help strengthen bones and joints, promoting musculoskeletal health.
• Brass is known for its detoxification properties, helping to eliminate toxins from the body. This ability to purify the organism is often associated with its chemical composition and interactions with the human metabolism.

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