Many rocks have beneficial properties for humans. However, these properties are not as diverse as those of Karelian Rock. In this article, you will get acquainted with the antioxidants, antibacterial, cleansing, and protective properties of shungite.

If you are unfamiliar with this rock, we advise you to read our scientific article. In this article, you will get the most detailed information and find answers to most of your questions.

Beyond its striking appearance, Karelian stone possesses many unique properties that have earned it a reputation as a natural, powerful tool for promoting well-being and protection.

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of Shungite properties, shedding light on the science and effects surrounding this enigmatic Russian rock.

Russian rare stone – Location

Shungite properties are one of the most unusual and rare natural phenomena. One of the main effects of this rare mineral is its antioxidant capacity. Russian stone is a rare resource, a place of production that exists only in one world region. This ecologically clean region rich in forests and a variety of rocks is called the Republic of Karelia. It is located in the North of Russia near the border of Finland.

Karelia is a region in Russia, it is the birthplace of shungite with antioxidant properties
The Republic of Karelia is a region within the Russian Federation.

Once this rock was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, its unique abilities were defined only as a thermal energy source. However, research in this area has not yielded the expected results.

This rock looks like coal, but its unique mineral composition and unusual shungite properties do not allow it to burn and release the necessary thermal energy like coal. In this study, the unique properties of the Russian black stone are not over. Only 100 years later, the Russian c60 mineral finds a new life as an excellent natural spring. Here is a scientifically proven list that has been identified over the years.

Mining of stone shungite with amazing properties
Mining of shungite rock in the Zazhoginskoye deposit in Karelia (Russia).

What properties does shungite have?

Shungite properties as an Antioxidant:

The black stone from Russia is one of nature’s most potent antioxidants. It raises the human body’s immunity to a new level and allows it to resist many diseases.

What are Antioxidants?

The term “antioxidants” has become a buzzword in health and wellness. But what exactly are antioxidants, and why are they so important?

Antioxidants are compounds found in various foods and supplements that play a crucial role in protecting our bodies from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and various diseases, including cancer and heart disease.

Nature antioxidants
Nature antioxidants

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from causing harm. They act as the body’s natural defense system, helping to combat the effects of pollution, poor diet, and other factors that can lead to oxidative stress.

Antioxidants are particles of human defense systems that fight free radicals. In other words, antioxidants are substances that block or inhibit cellular oxidation. In turn, oxidation processes occur due to the destructive action of free radicals.

What are free radicals?

These are molecular particles that have lost one electron for whatever reason. They are actively trying to bring back this electron. They break the bonds into full-fledged molecules and attach themselves to the missing electron.

In turn, these cells also want to recover the stolen electron. Therefore, they acquire the properties of free radicals and destroy the following atoms. Thus, a chain reaction called oxidative stress begins in the human body.

It is worth noting that free radicals are a natural part of human biochemical processes. But if the balance is broken, the radicals damage healthy cells. The more free radicals in the human body, the faster this oxidation process is.

As a result, the human body is more prone to various diseases and aging. Shungite’s properties as an antioxidant allow it to normalize these harmful processes.

free radicals
free radicals

How do free radicals enter the human body?

First, it results from natural biochemical reactions in the human body. Secondly, it is a result of adverse environmental factors. Modern human living conditions are overflowing with negative aspects.

Harmful food, polluted air, medicines, electromagnetic waves, stress, ultraviolet radiation from the sun, etc., all contribute to the penetration of free radicals into the human body.

Negative factors of environment

How do Antioxidants help?

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from causing harm. They act as the body’s natural defense system, helping to combat the effects of pollution, poor diet, and other factors that can lead to oxidative stress.

These substances break off the chain reaction of oxidation. They sacrifice themselves by giving the missing electron to the radical. But they do not continue to take this electron from full-fledged molecules.

Thus, the oxidation reaction stops. Antioxidants enter the human body with food from vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamins C and E and minerals Zinc, Selenium, Iron, etc. Physical activity and the desire for a healthy lifestyle positively affect the balance of biochemical reactions in the human body.

shungite antioxidants How antioxidants work
Antioxidants

What is the most effective Antioxidant?

It is assumed that fullerenes—for example, fullerene C60 — are among the most potent antioxidants. Karelian stone is the only mineral that is a natural carrier of C60 fullerenes.

Such fullerenes are hydrated and soluble in water. Research has found that water infused with black rock benefits the human body and animals. These shungite properties are probably due to the natural Antioxidant in the form of fullerene.

Many researchers think that the water in which the Russian stone was lying becomes a molecular colloidal solution with multifaceted biological effects [1,2].

For this reason, fullerenes and other carbon nanoparticles are released from the black rock under the action of water. It has many different macropores and mesopores, which is also due to the unique shungite properties of water.

Currently, researchers associate this with the amphiphilicity and dipole properties of shungite due to the main structural element of graphene. Therefore, nanoparticles of carbon are successfully stabilized in water. In doing so, they create stable dispersions of hydrated fullerenes without oxidation.

Shhungite properties in water: Experience keeping frogs in dirty water with and without black stones (chips)

frog in a water
A frog in dirty water

One of the most well-known properties of Shungite is its ability to purify water.

When placed in water, black Russian stone is believed to:

  • Absorb Impurities: Russian stones type 3 act like a sponge, absorbing contaminants, heavy metals, and harmful substances from water, effectively “cleansing” it.
  • Mineralized Water: Elite silver stones type 1 can enrich water with fullerenes c60 and many minerals.

In this regard, studies of water purification were carried out. For this purpose, the biological effect of water on amphibians (grass frog Rana Temporaria) was studied at Petrozavodsk State University (Karelia, Russia) [1].

After all, in their lives, the skin plays a vital role in water flow into the body and gas exchange. So, a researcher and candidate in biological sciences, Belousova G.P., proved the positive effect of the Karelian rock breed on frog survival in laboratory conditions.

Thus, the researchers kept the first group of frogs in laboratory conditions in a vivarium, observing all the rules of hygiene. At the same time, the researchers kept the second group of frogs in a vivarium in the laboratory. The hygiene rules for keeping these frogs were not followed for this group.

The researchers also kept the third group of frogs under laboratory conditions in a vivarium without proper care. However, the third group added 0.5-1 cm black chips to the water. They did it in such proportions: at the rate of 125 grams per 0.5 liters of water).

The results of the experiment

Antioxidant shungite chips for water purification
Russian black stones type 3 antioxidants for water.

As a result, the second group of frogs, who had not observed hygiene rules, began to die after seven days. And after 14 days, the group of frogs died 100%. Without observing hygienic rules in water with raw Russian black stone, the third group showed a 100% survival rate for 60 days. Finally, when the experiment was completed, the scientists measured the biological parameters of the third group of frogs. They significantly exceeded the performance of frogs from the first control group (which also survived, but in the conditions of leaving). In particular, this concerns neurohumoral regulatory mechanisms and thermokinetics of metabolic processes in amphibians.

One hundred percent survival of frogs in black stone water proves that the Russian black rock has high Antioxidant, antibacterial, and sorption properties.

Study of the antioxidant properties of shungite in mice

Also, researchers from the Yonsei University Research Fund of 2016 confirmed the active antioxidant shungite properties in a scientific work, “Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Karelian Stone against Ultraviolet B Irradiation-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice.”

They confirmed the hypothesis that Russian black stone, a natural fullerene, has antioxidant properties since it reduces the intracellular production of ROS (Reactive oxygen species: oxygen ions, free radicals, and peroxides). In addition, researchers have shown that Russian rock increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, SOD, and MPO) in vivo.

Shungite properties As a Sorbent

shungite properties sorbent and Antioxidant

Due to its porous structure, Russian stone effectively purifies water from organic and inorganic pollutants. The stone’s shungite properties, such as sorption, Antioxidant, and catalytic properties, are closely related to each other.

Therefore, they allow the use of black stone from Karelia as an efficient filter material with an efficiency of up to 95% for wastewater treatment from a wide range of pollutants.

For example, the phenol adsorption activity of stone type 3 is 14 mg / g; for thermolysis resins, it is 20 mg / g, and for oil products, it is more than 40 mg / g. The sorption efficiency of the stones is clearly shown in the summary table [3].

Type of water PollutionDegree of purification, %
Iron95
Zinc80
Lead85
Copper85
Cesium90
Strontium97
Radionuclides90
Fluorine80
Ammonia90
Organochlorine compounds85
Phenols90
Dioxins97
Helminth eggs90
Smell85
Turbidity95
Indicators of efficiency of mineral filters based on raw shungite stones.

Also, scientists have proved that black Russian rock can remove heavy metals (copper, cadmium, mercury, lead) from water, as well as boron, phenol, and benzene.

For example, they demonstrated this in model experiments on water, in which the content of harmful substances exceeded the MPC by 10-50 times.

At the same time, they included black stones in filtering installations. In turn, the black stone reduced the content of harmful substances in the water to the established safe minimum by regulatory documents. Above all, no toxic elements enter the water from the black stone sorbents.

Shungite bactericidal properties

Bactericidal shungite properties refer to a substance’s ability to kill or eliminate bacteria. Due to its high carbon content and unique molecular structure, Shungite has been a subject of fascination and study.

Detoxification: it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its detoxifying properties. It is believed to help eliminate toxins from the body, indirectly supporting the immune system’s fight against bacterial infections.

The Karelian stone has sorption activity against pathogenic microflora and has pronounced bactericidal properties. In addition, Russian stone is bactericidal against pathogenic saprophytes and protozoa.

Firstly, there is evidence that if water containing E. coli is passed through the stone, its almost complete removal is observed (if the index varies from 2300 cells / l to 3 cells / l). Secondly, out of 1785 cells / l of protozoa (ciliates, rotifers, crustaceans) in the initial water after treatment with black type 3 stones, only a few specimens were observed (5 cells / l) [4].

Shungite purifies water from radinuleids

The terrible accident at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant in Japan left hundreds of millions of liters of radioactive water around the defenses built around the plant. He could not be thrown into the ocean without purification. And the issue of processing such water was complicated.

However, scientists from Kazan Federal University and Rice University in the USA (Rice University) have proposed solving the problem.

According to the developers, they modified the carbon so that it could separate water from radionuclides. This was oxidatively modified carbon. Scientists also used healing minerals from Karelia.

In laboratory tests, the researchers report that oxidatively modified carbon is highly effective at absorbing radioactive metal cations from contaminated water, including cesium and strontium, uranium, thorium, and radium.

At the same time, scientists were struck by the fact that simple particles of natural Karelian stone showed almost the same high-performance results in absorbing radioactive elements.

How does water purification work?

Studying the sorption of shungite properties, scientists concluded that the carbon components of Karelian stone can attack active oxygen atoms, known to us as free radicals. The black stone nanoparticles, coupled with their unique structure, very actively (a catalyst property) oxidize them in water and air [5].

Let’s see how exactly this happens. When carbon particles absorb free radicals, atomic oxygen is formed. In turn, this oxidizes all organic pollutants that have adhered to the stone to CO2 and H2O. Thus, the Karelian black stone surface is cleaned and ready for adsorption again.

How do Russian minerals interact with inorganic substances, such as Fe2 + and Fe3, Mg2 +, and Ca2 +, which are dissolved in water? Russian stone converts metal cations from soluble to insoluble carbonate. This occurs due to the above-described oxidation process of organic substances with atomic oxygen in the reaction of carbon monoxide and water.

Shungite properties as a Catalyst

shungite properties catalyst

Shungite properties of type 3 can adsorb organic matter like a sponge and self-repair. Compared with activated carbon, stones can show delayed results only on the first day of water purification. Further, the Russian mineral is activated and begins to purify impurities from water at a higher rate and constancy than activated carbon.

These data have been scientifically proven by experiments carried out on the stones at the Russian Technological University named after D.I. Mendeleev (RCTU), as well as in the All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources named after N. M. Fedorovsky (FGBU VIMS) [9]. Also, it can remove free radicals from water, which form after cleaning with chlorine 30 times faster than activated carbon. [6]

Thus, different researchers have concluded that the Karelian minerals can be used in the preparation of drinking water in flow systems of any capacity, for industrial and domestic purposes, and in wells to improve water quality characteristics and give the water valuable properties.


At the same time, using mixtures based on shungite rocks with activated carbon or zeolite in filter systems is incredibly effective and technologically justified in filter systems, with possible subsequent regeneration of sorbents [7,8]. Meanwhile, we write in this article how to use black stones type 3 and silver stones type 1 for water.

Shungite Properties: Unique Chemical composition

shungite stones chemical elements

The Russian rocks type 1, type 2, and type 3 contain various amounts of trace elements and substances with high biological activity, which has more straightforward potential in humans and animals—the only natural source of Fullerenes. Moreover, a Karelian mineral can eliminate water’s turbidity and color and give it good organoleptic qualities. At the same time, the stones simultaneously saturate the water with microelements and macroelements.

Shungite Properties as a Defender

shungite emf protection

It has a unique ability to neutralize various geopathic electromagnetic waves, including high frequency. Above all, these Shungite properties were the basis for creating materials based on it, with radio-screening and radio-absorbing properties.

The high radio shielding ability of Karelian stone has been scientifically proven.
For example, the researchers tested Russian rock with a thickness of hundreds and even tens of microns (raw stones or powder) in various tests. As a result, it was proved that the Russian C60 mineral almost wholly absorbs the EMF radiation of the superhigh frequency range from 8 to 70 GHz down to -40 decibels.

In addition, Russian black stone protects from the low-frequency range of the EMF, as well as from the range of the X-ray spectrum. The fact is that complex mechanisms of absorption and reflection of radiation work in shungite stone. In turn, this depends on the complex structure of the black stone and fullerenes. Therefore, Russian black stone is used on an industrial scale to create unique radio-shielding materials. Moreover, in this article, you can learn more about the shungite properties as EMF protection.

Healing and Metaphysical Abilities

Beyond its physical properties, black Karelian stone is also celebrated for its metaphysical attributes:

  1. Grounding: is believed to ground and stabilize energy, helping individuals feel more centered and connected to the Earth.
  2. Protection: It is often used as a protective talisman, shielding individuals from negative energies and promoting emotional balance.
  3. Healing: Some people use the rocks for their potential healing properties, both physically and spiritually. They are thought to aid in physical healing and promote spiritual growth.

Resume of shungite properties

Shungite properties are an unusual blend of science and helpful abilities, offering many potential benefits for those who incorporate them into their lives. Whether used for its water-purifying abilities, EMF protection, or metaphysical qualities, Russian rock continues to intrigue and inspire individuals seeking to harness the extraordinary properties of this rare Russian stone. As science and holistic wellness intersect, it is a testament to the enduring power of Earth’s natural treasures.

So, here we are. We have become acquainted with a wide range of properties of the fantastic Russian black stone. These include Antioxidant, adsorption, catalytic, and EMF protective qualities. At the same time, long before scientific research, people knew that black stone was a salubrious source. Therefore, it was used for treatment by locals and royalty.

Well, science has revealed a little about the secret of the Russian stone in our time. That is why we now know about fullerenes in the rock and its extraordinary connection with water. However, carbon remains a target for scientific study. After all, we have yet to reveal the rest of its mysteries.

shungite properties of stones and products made from this rare stone
Black Russian stones type 3, elite stones type 1, and pyramids with polished and unpolished surfaces and powder.

Sources:

scientific sources for the article properties of shungite
Scientific sources for the article Properties of shungite