Do crystals have healing properties?
“I find gemstones beautiful, and as a result, my home is filled with them. I have crystals in the form of loose stones, bracelets, pendants, and salt lamps in abundance. Additionally, I’ve collected some interesting books about gemstones that explain their healing properties. However, at the same time, I wonder, does all of this hold true? Or are they just ‘woo-woo vibes’… if you catch my drift? My partner (who has a scientific mindset) and I decided to investigate this positive healing and powerful effect. Let’s start by looking at how these crystals are formed because regardless, this is simply factual.”
How are crystals formed?
Most clear crystals were formed millions of years ago deep within the earth. They originated from magma, which sometimes took millions of years to cool down. Eventually, crystals formed from this cooled magma. These crystals resembled ice, a buildup of tiny crystals that eventually formed a larger crystal. The colour of crystals is ultimately determined by impurities mixed in, such as metals, aluminium, and iron. Millions of years ago, due to tectonic shifts, these crystals were eventually pushed to the surface. This made the crystals “easier” for us to find. Often, these are volcanic areas where crystals can be found (All Stones, 2019).
The theory behind the healing effect
According to the holistic approach associated with energetic crystal therapy, the body, mind, and soul of a person together form a whole, a unique individual. The body, mind, and soul must be in balance with each other for someone to feel healthy and comfortable (Semoea, 2016). Okay, so far so good. The therapeutic effect of gemstones is based on the energy vibrations of these stones from nature. By wearing a gemstone, it is believed that the human aura would be positively influenced.
It is also said that a disease or complaint is usually caused by an abnormal frequency in the vibrations of an organ or area in the body. By wearing a particular stone (or combination of stones), the influence on complaints and/or diseases can often be significant and can then be significantly reduced. What is meant is that, for example, if you have a headache, abnormal vibrations have occurred in the body. A gemstone could restore these abnormal vibrations, thereby reducing your headache.
To understand the healing power of gemstones, it is necessary to know which substances are present in the stones. As mentioned earlier, impurities such as metals, aluminium, and iron are mixed in during the formation process of gemstones. When wearing a gemstone on the skin, the energy field (or aura) of the stone can transfer to the energy field of the wearer. In this way, the substances present in the stone can release their healing power (Aroma-atelier, 2005).
The wearing of patches on the skin is increasingly common nowadays to allow medication to penetrate. While this theory is scientifically proven, this method of gemstone therapy could theoretically have “healing” effects. Perhaps this also explains why Hematite might work well against anaemia, considering this stone is pure iron oxide and could potentially be released into the skin. If it were to work, then the dose one would “receive” cannot be determined anaemia is not always caused by iron deficiency (Mens en Gezondheid, 2015).
My conclusion
The healing effect of gemstone therapy has not yet been scientifically proven. It is assumed that the healing effect is more likely related to the placebo effect (Semoea, 2019). A placebo is a fake medicine. It can be an injection, pill, surgery, or another treatment without a direct medical effect (Niemandsverdriet, 2016). This mechanism likely applies to gemstones as well. When I put all the information side by side and analyze it, I am not convinced about the remarkable healing power that these stones supposedly offer us. Will I now throw away all my pounds of stones and stop wearing them as jewellery? Certainly not. I find them to be beautiful natural phenomena and especially cosy in my living room and on my bedside table.
With love, Fabienne