Abstract: The potential of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) for disease treatment and health enhancement has been actively pursued over the recent decades. This review first provides a general introduction about natural EMFs and related biological effects. Then the recent progress on the EMF treatment of some common diseases (such as cancer, diabetes, wound healing and neurological diseases, etc.) has been carefully reviewed and summarized. Yet, the blindness on the selection of therapeutic EMF parameters still hinders the broad application of EMF therapy. Moreover, the unclear mechanism of EMF function and poor reproducibility of experimental results also remain big challenges in the field of bioelectromagnetics. Bionics is a useful methodology that gains inspiration from nature to serve human life and industry. We have discussed the feasibility of applying bionic approach on the selection of therapeutic EMFs, which is based on the findings of natural EMFs. Finally, we advocate that the detailed information of EMFs and biological samples should be thoroughly recorded in future research and reported in publications. In addition, the publication of studies with negative results should also be allowed.

Key words: electromagnetic fields, human health, disease treatment, health enhancement, bio-inspired electromagnetic fields