Natural Health

Crystals have captured the imagination of humans for thousands of years. Crystals were used in ancient rituals to cure disease by placing certain stones on the body or pulverizing them and mixing the powder in liquid, an early version of mineral water! Linked to particular ‘subtle energy centers’ of the body – called chakras, according to an ancient Hindu system of healing – crystals are used by New Age practitioners who believe they can help heal a person physically, mentally and emotionally. Crystal enthusiasts include Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley MacLaine, Goldie Hawn, Simon Le Bon and Richard Gere.

A Matter Of Energy

Ever since scientists determined that atoms – of which everything, including our bodies, is made – aren’t solid but 99.99%  empty space filled with energy in the form of vibrations, many alternative practices, including crystal healing, have been easier to understand. The fact is, everything we think of as hard matter is actually made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. What we think of as color, for example, is simply this energy vibrating at different rates.

This pulsating ‘life force’ has been illustrated as a white or golden glow around the bodies and heads of saints or holy people, and is commonly called the aura. It seems that each of us (saintly or otherwise) has an energy field of colored light surrounding us. American neurophysiologist and psychologist Dr Valerie V Hunt, has spent 25 years assembling the technology that proves it exists. A pioneer of a new approach called ‘energy medicine’, Dr Hunt believes we can help prevent illness by regularly checking the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional state of an individual as revealed in their subtle energy field or aura. When quartz crystal comes into contact with even a small amount of power, it vibrates. In watches and clocks these vibrations become the pulse that causes the second hand to move accurately. Crystal healers say that the ‘power’ that operates a crystal for healing purposes is a form of mental energy. When placed on or near a body, crystals can stimulate, balance or reduce the flow of life energy that, according to the Eastern view of health, must circulate freely for good health. More scientifically, every cell in your body vibrates at a particular frequency and those that are ‘off tune’ signal illness. In the same way that you tune in a radio, crystals are said to help ensure your body’s cells are tuned to the right frequency.

What Does A Crystal Healer Do?

Therapists use crystals in a variety of ways. Many practitioners keep a large piece of amethyst or clear quartz on their tables to cleanse and balance the energies in the room. Some use small pieces of differently colored crystals on various chakra points, depending on what emotional issues or physical illness needs to be healed. This is known as body layout work and generally involves you lying on the floor, fully or partially clothed, while the therapist arranges the crystals on your body according to what they intuitively feel is required. They may also ask you to take part in a guided visualization or meditation. Within a healing session the crystal practitioner will use the power of their mind to focus healing energy into any physical, mental or emotional area that is out of balance and causing you illness or distress.

Alternatively, there is electro-crystal therapy. This treatment uses quartz crystals in a sealed glass tube connected to a small battery. After placing the tubes over the chakra points or areas to be treated, the crystals are electrically stimulated to pulsate at the required healing frequency. Whichever form is used, the goal is to balance any ‘disharmonious’ cells in your body so that the disease is healed.

Key Crystals For Self Help

CITRINE

• encourages optimism and openness
• helps reduce fear
• cleansing
• promotes physical endurance and mental focus
• good for teamwork and groups

ROSE QUARTZ

• boosts feelings of self-love and self-esteem
• releases excess fluids and helps detoxify the body
• promotes peacefulness and calm

AMETHYST

• good for meditation
• absorb emotional negativity, insomnia, atmosphere polluted or filled with positive ions (i.e. keep by a VDU or when sharing space with a smoker)

AQUAMARINE

• helps with fears and phobias
• reduces stress
• enhances self-expression and creativity
• calming

HEMATITE

• grounding
• balancing
• helps reduce feverishness
• overcomes feelings of negativity

ROCK CRYSTAL

• the ideal ‘all purpose’ crystal
• use for physical ailments, emotional balance, meditation and spiritual awareness
• boosts effects of other crystals when used with them

Crystal Therapy Is Good For:

• Relaxation
• De-stressing
• Energy boosting
• Depression
• Boosting the immune system
• Enhancing self esteem
• Regulating hormones and metabolism
• Self awareness
• Fears and phobias

Crystal Therapy:

AVAILABILITY – Limited

MEDICAL EVIDENCE – Sparse

MEDICAL ACCEPTANCE – Limited

SELF HELP – Possible