What is Crystal Healing?

Crystal healing is the practice of using crystals and gemstones to heal, energize and protect the mind and body. The gemstones used in crystal therapy can also work to restore balance, clarity and natural vibrational energies that have been compromised or depleted in a patient. Though crystal healing is considered an alternative medicine, it's been practiced for centuries and has its roots in Ancient Egypt. China and India have also used crystals in healing rituals for more than 5,000 years.

It's believed that crystals can heal minds and bodies by effecting the vibrational patterns of patients' auras. The gems are said to carry their own vibrations and their energy can be applied to a body's electromagnetic system for augmentation. In effect, crystal therapy aims to transfer the energy contained in gemstones to a patient in need of the same energy.

The benefits of crystal healing can be achieved by having gems rubbed on the patient and wearing gems close to the body or in a pocket next to the heart. However, many practitioners prefer to use gemstones directly on chakra points, or energy centers on the body. Using them in this manner helps facilitate the cleansing, healing and stabilizing of energy emanating from each chakra. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet stones can be placed next to their corresponding colored chakra or next to any chakra that could benefit from the healing properties of a particular stone.

Restoring the natural flow of energy helps the patient shake off negative habits, attitudes and other factors that impede a patient's function in everyday life. Wearing metal is greatly discouraged while undergoing crystal healing, since metal acts as a stopper of energy. Metal surrounding gemstones is especially detrimental because it disrupts the energy flow coming from the gemstone. Because of this, patients who choose to wear gemstones as part of their crystal therapy often buy jewelery with gemstones that aren't encased in metal or gold.

The condition of the gemstones is important to their effectiveness. Whole, natural, high-quality gems that are not irradiated or dyed have more healing potential than those that have been manufactured, processed or damaged. Color, shape and size of crystals also inform their healing properties.

Advocates of crystal healing report lowered physical and mental stress levels, better health and spiritual refinement. In addition, certain crystals are believed to help heal specific ailments. Each gemstone traditionally used in crystal therapy has particular healing properties attributed to it and is used depending on a patient's needs.

Before beginning crystal healing, gemstones should be cleansed and energized. Gemstones can be washed in clean water, laid out in the sunlight or moonlight or have sound push away negative energies contained in the stones. Chiming a bell, gong or making another pure sound next to the stones promotes the renewal of energy in the stones and readies them for a new patient.

In advanced crystal healing, gemstones can also be fashioned into wands to perform a type of "psychic surgery" that helps remove blockages, remedy illness and redirect positive energy. Though some patients have found results after undergoing psychic surgery, substituting crystal healing for primary medical care is inadvisable. Instead, crystal healing should be looked upon as a supplemental source of care for those seeking renewed energy, vitality and health.