Crystals

What?

What are Crystals?

Crystals are a group of minerals. They can be semi-rare, beautiful, clear, bright colours, toxic etc. Due to their structure and composition, crystals emit vibrations at a constant frequency, meaning that their vibrations do not change.

Crystals vibrate at the same pitch as humans and maximise the healing abilities we already have. Because of this comforting feeling, when you place a crystal on the body, it helps you connect better and feel at ease. Balancing crystals can also help match the misaligned energy levels.

Each healing crystal carries its own properties and powers. Depending on their benefits, you can use a healing rock to naturally heal yourself and remove stress and negativity

Why Crystals - Benefits

Believe it or not, this is actually a hard question to answer. There is the benefit that crystal healers, practitioners and crystal obsessed people and then there is the scientific benefit of them (or as we will find out below, not).

Benefits according to those of us in the know

Crystal healers, crystal practitioners, other alternative therapies that use crystals in their practice and (word for someone who uses them and obsesses with them) all believe that holding a crystal or positioning in a particular way in certain areas of the body can give mental and physical benefits.

There is a whole theory here mind you. Quick 101 explanation would be everything and everyone is made up of energy. Crystals energy field interact with the body’s energy field, and this is what causes benefits to be noted.

According to Sonali Saujani a crystal master healer, “crystals are made up of different elements or compounds, which our bodies react to in different ways. Crystals are minerals that hold energy, and as we as humans are made up of energy, we can exchange energy with the crystal when we work with it”

Benefits according to science.

Crystals have been largely dismissed as pseudoscience. When it comes to the science, there is almost no evidence to support crystal healing. There have been some studies down that suggest that they may offer a placebo effect and any healing benefits associated with crystals were most likely a result of the power of suggestion.

Whilst the majority of scientists may not support crystals as healing element, there is no harm in giving them a go, as long as you have some realistic expectations about what they can and can not do. Crystals should never replace medical treatment from a qualified medical professional.

There is however some data that does suggest that crystals offer healing or restorative properties. This includes the placebo effect, cross-cultural significance and the Piezoelectric effect.

According to research:

The placebo effect is closely related to mindset. There are countless benefits in believing that you are healing, either physically, emotionally or mentally. Think about being hurt at work, and being unable to do your previous job, after spending time unable to do anything, just going back to work in a position that provides mental stimulation can have a healing affect on you, even if is not ‘medically’ healing you.
The piezoelectric effect is a scientific principle used, in part, to explain vibrational medicine. It enables crystals to transform pressure into a form of energy, such as light, electricity or sound and then amplify it. In crystal healing, this is applied, magnifying the potency of the energies in the person’s body and/or surroundings.

Cross cultural significance of crystals is very interesting. Whilst there is a lack of peer-reviewed studies, the practice in Chinese medicine and acupuncture particularly has a undeniably rich historical and cultural significance. Dr Kim, a 9th generation doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine said that ‘my expertise is rooted in the principles of qi, the connection and wavelength of the universe and the human mind and body”. Dr Kim further goes on to note that this knowledge has been passed for centuries from generation to generation. Reading that, I felt that If it did not at least have some effect, why would they continue to do it.

History and Lore

There is a long history of crystals being used, with archaeological finds showing use as far back as 10000 years ago. Amber is a prime example here, and it has been in use for protection and wellbeing for many millennia. Other records show that crystals were being used for prosperity and health in Ancient Sumer.

Ancient Sumer were not the only culture in ancient times that believed that Crystals had healing properties. Others include ones in Egypt, Greece and China.

Crystal Lore provides information on what specific crystals can benefit what task you are using them for. For example., people believe that crystals can manifest your desires, benefit sleep, and add an additional healing element to reiki.

How to choose your own crystals

First things first, research some information for yourself and find out what benefits a particular stone can assist with, or identify what you are needing help with and search for the stone that benefits healing of that.

Next, whilst you may go in thinking you need one crystal, use your intuition and find what crystal you are being guided to when you go to find them. It could be that a particular crystal catches your eye, or you feel pulled towards it to just ‘touch it’.

Crystals can be used in a number of ways, including:

Wearing them in jewellery and manifest healing vibes wherever you go
Place them under your pillow to help during sleep
Place a crystal on different chakras energy points to clear blockages.
Place crystals around your home to help maintain feng shui within the home.

According to Amy Crawford of ‘The Holistic Ingredient’, the easiest way to understand the powers of different crystals is to learn the properties of colour.