Japanese charcoal, made from either wood or from bamboo, is produced at temperatures of over 1000 degrees. High concentrations of a rich variety of minerals and of carbon have various beneficial natural effects. Emission of Long Infrared Rays Japanese charcoal emits large quantities of long infrared rays, even without being heated. Apart from their well-known thermal properties, long infrared rays have other non-thermal benefits such as the maturing of alcohol and the breakdown of water molecules. Long infrared rays also improves the circulation in your pet's skin. Supplying of Natural Minerals Japanese charcoal contains high concentrations of several minerals including calcium, potassium and magnesium, providing a good balance of minerals for your pet's skin. Emission of minus ions. Japanese charcoal releases minus ions into the air. Minus ions are often found in great quantities near natural features such as waterfalls. Minus ions affect our mental state, and are said to aid relaxation. Minus ions can also help relax your pet. Preventing oxidization Oxidization is a process by which materials lose electrons. Japanese charcoal works as an electron donor. As well as preserving foods, charcoal can also preserve your pet's skin by preventing oxidization. Absorption and deodorization Japanese charcoal is finely porous. If you could stretch out one gram of charcoal it would cover 250 square meters. This large surface area absorbs unpleasant odors from the air, and cleans your pet's pores by absorbing dust and dirt.

[Electron microscope photograph of charcoal surface magnified 1000 times] The countless holes in charcoal's surfaces adsorb the old waste matter and dirt attached to skin and pores, and thoroughly clean fur.

What Are Long Infrared Rays? Long infrared rays are colorless, invisible rays of light with a longer wavelength than visible rays. They are readily absorbed by water, macromolecular substances and organic matter, and have the property of heating the substances that absorb them. Thus, when they are absorbed by the human body, they promote perspiration and invigorate the circulation of blood and body fluids. Long Infrared Rays Have the Following Effects * They promote blood circulation and skin beautification; help to relieve constipation, neuralgia, lumbago, hypersensitivity to the cold, and menstrual pain; and exert a beneficial effect as regards intervertebral disk hernias. * They promote perspiration, as well as the secretion of harmful substances through the pores; provide vitality to the skin; and invigorate the bodily functions. * They dissolve, and lower the temperature of, the molecules in perspiration, protein, fat, and other odor-causing substances, thus eliminating unpleasant odors. * By expanding the capillaries and thereby promoting blood circulation and increasing the amount of blood oxygen, they work against adult diseases of the circulatory system. As opposed to near infrared rays, which have a wavelength of 0.75-4.0 microns, long infrared rays have a wavelength of 4.0-1000 microns. Compared to near infrared rays, long infrared rays have little photon energy, but they have an excellent ability to penetrate deep into the body and warm it. Long infrared rays serve the following purposes: they raise the temperature of the skin’s deep subcutaneous layers; expand the capillaries; promote blood circulation; strengthen the metabolism of the blood and among the body’s organs; invigorate the circulation of body fluids; increase the regenerative ability and antispasmodic capacity of organs; suppress the abnormal excitation of the sensory nerves; adjust the functioning of the autonomic nerves; etc. Applications Long infrared ray-emitting heaters, electric rice cookers, thermoses, lunch boxes, saunas, long infrared ray-emitting medical equipment, food heating-drying equipment, low-temperature driers for dried flowers, fish drying equipment, livestock-rearing heaters for pig farms and chicken farms, wheat seed germination promotion, healthful types of underwear and socks, etc.