Heliotherapy: Worshipping the Sun

The sun is responsible for life on Earth. The process in which living matter on Earth absorbs the sun is called photosynthesis. The diagram above is an example of plant photosynthesis. Plants would not grow without it; animals and humans would be in the dark. This is why humans have worshiped the sun in ceremonies and modern housing allows us to soak in its glory in sun rooms. What are the scientific benefits to direct sun exposure?




Sun exposure has many health benefits. Scientific American 1921 said, “the rays of the sun can be used for curing many skin diseases and that the sun baths are advantageous even to those who are in perfect health has long been well known to the general public,” [1]. According to the article the sun is thought to have healing powers that help to cure a variety of ailments. This is called heliotherapy. Heliotherapy is a practice that emphasizes the healing benefits of the sun without burning. It has been shown to be effective in curing diseases specifically: tuberculosis and rickets. Both tuberculosis and rickets are results of Vitamin D and E deficiencies. “The sun acts as a bactericide, killing the Tubercular bacillus organisms that cause the disease,” [2].


The following is a comprehensive list of overall health benefits of sun exposure according to Oasis Tan an indoor tanning salon in Washington.

   1. Decreases blood pressure
   2. Lowers resting heart rate
   3. Increases cardiac output
   4. Increases energy and endurance
   5. Increases muscular strength
   6. Lowers blood cholesterol
   7. Increases resistance to infections
   8. Increases oxygen capacity of blood
   9. Increases tolerance to stress
  10 Increases adrenaline in tissues
  11.Increases sex hormones.
  12.Increases the skin's resistance to infections
  13. Reduces the symptoms of PMS. [3]