{"id":27294,"date":"2025-10-10T11:12:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T15:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/?p=27294"},"modified":"2025-10-10T11:12:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T15:12:27","slug":"632942","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/","title":{"rendered":"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>From GrassrootsHealth<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Points<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary<\/li>\n<li>Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics<\/li>\n<li>Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier.<\/p>\n<p>History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight.<\/p>\n<p>Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties<\/li>\n<li>The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Herodot (525 BC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Hippocrates (460-370 BC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing<\/li>\n<li>observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest<\/li>\n<li>identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals<\/li>\n<li>stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light<\/li>\n<li>used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy<\/li>\n<li>won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>August Rollier (1874-1954)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus<\/li>\n<li>never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets<\/li>\n<li>used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Adolf Windaus (1876-1959)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d<\/li>\n<li>created the first concentrated form of vitamin D<\/li>\n<li>was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Frank Apperly (1940s)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>More Sunlight = Less Cancer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/17\/14\/5014\">Alfredsson et al.<\/a>\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d!<\/p>\n<p>As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such.<\/p>\n<p>Go outside and get some sunshine!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>\u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From GrassrootsHealth Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today Key Points The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History - Smart Tan News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From GrassrootsHealth  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today  Key Points   The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history  Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier.  History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure?  Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d  Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight.  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history.  Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago)   The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties  The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment.  \u00a0Herodot (525 BC)   Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health).  Hippocrates (460-370 BC)   Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes.  Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets.  Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution  Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key:  Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890)   Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets  Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)   known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing  observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest  identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals  stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d  Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904)   was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light  used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy  won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)\u00a0  August Rollier (1874-1954)   used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus  never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy\u00a0  Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940)   discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets  used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets  \u00a0Adolf Windaus (1876-1959)   \u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d  created the first concentrated form of vitamin D  was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928  Frank Apperly (1940s)   More Sunlight = Less Cancer  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026  Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present  A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0Alfredsson et al.\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d!  As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such.  Go outside and get some sunshine!  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business.  \u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History - Smart Tan News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From GrassrootsHealth  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today  Key Points   The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history  Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier.  History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure?  Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d  Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight.  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history.  Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago)   The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties  The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment.  \u00a0Herodot (525 BC)   Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health).  Hippocrates (460-370 BC)   Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes.  Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets.  Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution  Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key:  Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890)   Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets  Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)   known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing  observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest  identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals  stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d  Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904)   was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light  used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy  won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)\u00a0  August Rollier (1874-1954)   used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus  never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy\u00a0  Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940)   discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets  used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets  \u00a0Adolf Windaus (1876-1959)   \u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d  created the first concentrated form of vitamin D  was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928  Frank Apperly (1940s)   More Sunlight = Less Cancer  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026  Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present  A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0Alfredsson et al.\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d!  As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such.  Go outside and get some sunshine!  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business.  \u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Smart Tan News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SmartTan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-10T15:12:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1360\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"smarttannews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@SmartTan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@SmartTan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"smarttannews\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"smarttannews\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/person\/722dc7049af55e0ed743d67ce9ed4819\"},\"headline\":\"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-10T15:12:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\"},\"wordCount\":1369,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\",\"name\":\"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History - Smart Tan News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-10T15:12:27+00:00\",\"description\":\"From GrassrootsHealth Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today Key Points The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier. History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure? Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight. Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history. Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago) The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment. \u00a0Herodot (525 BC) Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health). Hippocrates (460-370 BC) Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes. Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets. Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key: Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890) Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904) was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)\u00a0 August Rollier (1874-1954) used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy\u00a0 Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940) discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets \u00a0Adolf Windaus (1876-1959) \u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d created the first concentrated form of vitamin D was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928 Frank Apperly (1940s) More Sunlight = Less Cancer Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026 Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0Alfredsson et al.\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d! As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such. Go outside and get some sunshine! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business. \u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg\",\"width\":1360,\"height\":1000,\"caption\":\"Hourglass with sand standing on rock. Sunset over sea and nature landscape. Running of time and relax idea, copy space\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/\",\"name\":\"Smart Tan News\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Smart Tan\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/smarttan.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Smart-Tan.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/smarttan.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Smart-Tan.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":164,\"caption\":\"Smart Tan\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SmartTan\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/SmartTan\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/person\/722dc7049af55e0ed743d67ce9ed4819\",\"name\":\"smarttannews\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c0189f76465f47ce293287354f8076bfdb83130e65538eb34fcd2cd44e9f0e53?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c0189f76465f47ce293287354f8076bfdb83130e65538eb34fcd2cd44e9f0e53?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c0189f76465f47ce293287354f8076bfdb83130e65538eb34fcd2cd44e9f0e53?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"smarttannews\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/author\/smarttannews\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History - Smart Tan News","description":"From GrassrootsHealth  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today  Key Points   The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history  Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier.  History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure?  Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d  Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight.  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history.  Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago)   The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties  The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment.  \u00a0Herodot (525 BC)   Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health).  Hippocrates (460-370 BC)   Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes.  Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets.  Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution  Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key:  Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890)   Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets  Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)   known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing  observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest  identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals  stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d  Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904)   was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light  used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy  won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)\u00a0  August Rollier (1874-1954)   used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus  never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy\u00a0  Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940)   discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets  used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets  \u00a0Adolf Windaus (1876-1959)   \u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d  created the first concentrated form of vitamin D  was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928  Frank Apperly (1940s)   More Sunlight = Less Cancer  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026  Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present  A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0Alfredsson et al.\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d!  As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such.  Go outside and get some sunshine!  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business.  \u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History - Smart Tan News","og_description":"From GrassrootsHealth  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today  Key Points   The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history  Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier.  History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure?  Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health  Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d  Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight.  Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history.  Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago)   The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties  The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment.  \u00a0Herodot (525 BC)   Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health).  Hippocrates (460-370 BC)   Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes.  Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets.  Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution  Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key:  Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890)   Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets  Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)   known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing  observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest  identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals  stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d  Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904)   was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light  used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy  won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)\u00a0  August Rollier (1874-1954)   used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus  never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy\u00a0  Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940)   discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets  used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets  \u00a0Adolf Windaus (1876-1959)   \u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d  created the first concentrated form of vitamin D  was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928  Frank Apperly (1940s)   More Sunlight = Less Cancer  Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026  Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present  A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0Alfredsson et al.\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d!  As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such.  Go outside and get some sunshine!  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business.  \u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.","og_url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/","og_site_name":"Smart Tan News","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SmartTan","article_published_time":"2025-10-10T15:12:27+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1360,"height":1000,"url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"smarttannews","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@SmartTan","twitter_site":"@SmartTan","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"smarttannews","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/"},"author":{"name":"smarttannews","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/person\/722dc7049af55e0ed743d67ce9ed4819"},"headline":"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History","datePublished":"2025-10-10T15:12:27+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/"},"wordCount":1369,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/","url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/","name":"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History - Smart Tan News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg","datePublished":"2025-10-10T15:12:27+00:00","description":"From GrassrootsHealth Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today Key Points The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history Major changes in the way we live, especially over the past century, have affected the amount of sunshine we are exposed to on a daily basis, which for most people, is minimal. These days, most work is done indoors, digital devices have become a popular form of indoor entertainment, and air conditioning makes being indoors on a hot and sunny day easily attractive. Negative messages about the sun and skin cancer, even tanning, have scared people into staying indoors or covering up at all times when going outdoors, to the point where the body is unable to reap the benefits of sunshine and UV exposure. The \u201cDiseases of Darkness\u201d that are associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as rickets, and other negative health effects resulting from a lack of sun exposure still exist today, and yet are absolutely avoidable and unnecessary. In fact,\u00a0in 2012 the UK cited\u00a0833 hospital admissions for rickets, more than four times the amount 10 years earlier. History has demonstrated to us that, in many different health circumstances, natural as well as artificial sunlight can act as a major interventional tool to prevent and heal devastating diseases, when used with diligence. Before the \u2018era of antibiotics\u2019 phototherapy was a state-of-the-art treatment in contemporary medicine, and where natural sunlight was unavailable, artificial sunlight was successfully used to fill the gap. Now days, the message so often heard is to stay out of the sun, or to cover up when exposed to sunshine. What could the\u00a0resulting health effects\u00a0be from this type of sun avoidance? Why are so many ignoring the lessons learned throughout history about the benefits of sunshine exposure? Lessons from History: Sunshine is Essential for Our Health Knowing the history of how sunlight exposure has been utilized to cure disease and improve health is important for understanding why it is still so essential today. For this reason, Dr. Michael Holick began his recent paper \u201cThe CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action\u201d with a time-line list of individuals throughout history who discovered specific ways that sunshine exposure improved health and who \u201cappreciated the life-giving properties of sun exposure.\u201d Another historical perspective on the use of sunlight for health is given in a recorded seminar presentation\u00a0by Alexander Wunsch, MD, Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Wunsch explains how both the public and medical community\u2019s perspective on sunlight has changed over time, while also covering additional information about the healing properties of sunlight. Below is a timeline list of sunshine discoveries made and the uses of sunlight for health and wellbeing throughout history. Ancient Greece or Egypt (4000-5000 years ago) The beginning of heliotherapy, or the use of sunshine for its healing properties The sun was mentioned in \u2018medication recipes\u2019 and for certain medical preparations, disinfection, and photochemical reactions. Sunlight was used to control germs on skin and in the environment. \u00a0Herodot (525 BC) Looked at skull bones of those who died in the Battle of Pelusium and discovered that Egyptian skull bones were much thicker than those of Persians. He concluded it was the Egyptians\u2019 use of sunlight \u2013 shaved heads, a lot of skin to the sun vs the large hats Persians wore. This was the first report of the connection between sunlight and the human system (bone health). Hippocrates (460-370 BC) Centuries ago, Hippocrates (now considered the \u201cFather of Medicine\u201d) observed that the \u201csunnier side of the hill\u201d was the healthier place to live. Because of this observation, he routinely prescribed sunbaths as part of his therapy for a wide variety of health ailments, using sunlight and its warmth for both medical and psychological purposes. Ancient Indications for Heliotherapy \u2013 shifting of body liquids (movement of blood and lymph into the skin), cauterization (burning of tumors using sunlight and crystals), metabolic disorders, obesity, strengthening the bones and preventing rickets. Fast-Forward 2500 Years Later, Into the Age of the Industrial Revolution Diseases of Darkness, namely rickets and tuberculosis, skyrocketed during the industrial revolution \u2013 smog and dirt in the air, tall buildings reduced sunlight in cities, and it was soon discovered that going back into sunlight and nature cured rickets in children. Following this came more discoveries as to the therapeutic and healing properties of sunlight and the involvement of vitamin D. The following individuals were key: Sniadecki (1822) and Palm (1890) Made the connection between sunshine deprivation and rickets Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) known as \u201cThe Lady with the Lamp\u201d and considered the founder of modern nursing observed that her patients in hospital rooms facing east recovered the fastest identified sunlight as the key to promoting health in hospitals stated \u201cIt is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light\u2026And that it is not only light but direct sun-light they want.\u201d Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904) was the first to do scientific experiments to determine the therapeutic properties of light used carbon arc lamps and other artificial UV \u2013 the start of phototherapy won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology for developing phototherapy methods for the treatment of lupus vulgaris (skin manifestation of tuberculosis)\u00a0 August Rollier (1874-1954) used sunlight (heliotherapy) in the Swiss mountains to treat and prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and lupus never saw a case of skin cancer caused by heliotherapy, in fact, he treated skin cancer with heliotherapy\u00a0 Kurt Huldschinsky (1883-1940) discovered that there was a substance circulating through the body from sun that treated rickets used UV lamps on part of the body to increase the amount of this substance in the whole body, leading to the cure of rickets \u00a0Adolf Windaus (1876-1959) \u201cunlocked the secret of vitamin D synthesis\u201d created the first concentrated form of vitamin D was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928 Frank Apperly (1940s) More Sunlight = Less Cancer Sunlight and artificial UV were the most effective treatments of these diseases of darkness until the 1950s with the invention of antibiotics\u2026 Lessons from History to be Remembered and Applied to the Present A 2020 review of studies on the health effects of sunshine by\u00a0Alfredsson et al.\u00a0indicated that\u00a0340,000 deaths per year in the United States and 480,000 deaths per year in Europe, as well as a rise in many diseases, could be attributed to insufficient sun exposure or \u201csunshine deficiency.\u201d\u00a0It is also known that implementing regular, safe, non-burning sun exposure can help individuals of all skin types maximize the health benefits from the sun while minimizing the risks associated with sun exposure,\u00a0including that of melanoma. With these in mind, and the lessons that have been learned throughout history about how essential sunshine is for health, implementing sensible sunshine exposure into our modern day lifestyle should be a \u201cno-brainer\u201d! As suggested by those listed above throughout history, and by recent authors\u00a0Hoel and De Gruijl,\u00a0moderate UV exposure from the sun, without burning, is a health benefit and should be recommended as such. Go outside and get some sunshine! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can\u2019t say in your tanning salon business. \u00a9 2024 International Smart Tan Network. All rights reserved.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Time-9-27-22.jpg","width":1360,"height":1000,"caption":"Hourglass with sand standing on rock. Sunset over sea and nature landscape. Running of time and relax idea, copy space"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/632942\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Sunshine has Helped Us Heal throughout History"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/","name":"Smart Tan News","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#organization","name":"Smart Tan","url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/smarttan.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Smart-Tan.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/smarttan.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Smart-Tan.png","width":500,"height":164,"caption":"Smart Tan"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SmartTan","https:\/\/x.com\/SmartTan"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/#\/schema\/person\/722dc7049af55e0ed743d67ce9ed4819","name":"smarttannews","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c0189f76465f47ce293287354f8076bfdb83130e65538eb34fcd2cd44e9f0e53?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c0189f76465f47ce293287354f8076bfdb83130e65538eb34fcd2cd44e9f0e53?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c0189f76465f47ce293287354f8076bfdb83130e65538eb34fcd2cd44e9f0e53?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"smarttannews"},"url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/author\/smarttannews\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27294"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27295,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27294\/revisions\/27295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}