Crystal healing is an alternative form of medicine that uses stones and crystals for healing purposes. But how did it all start?
Crystal healing involves putting crystals on parts of the body in relation to the chakras, or the body’s psychic energy centers.
While the practice may seem “new age,” it’s been around since ancient times. Egyptians placed quartz on the foreheads of the dead to guide them into the afterlife, and many Egyptians wore crystals over their hearts to attract love. Ancient Greeks rubbed crushed hematite on soldiers’ bodies to help them in battle. Similarly, Romans used talismans and amulets for good health and protection in battle.
Chinese healing practices that involve crystals have been around for thousands of years, such as using crystal-tipped needles in acupuncture. Ayurvedic medicine, which originated in India, is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and uses crystals for healing. The Hindu Vedas, a large body of knowledge texts that came out of ancient India, even outline crystal healing properties.
Nowadays, crystal healing is mainly associated with the new age spiritual movement. Subscribers believe that crystal vibrates at particular frequencies, and that those vibrations can affect the frequency of one’s body and nervous system. The frequencies purportedly harmonize and affect one’s physical health in a positive way. And while there is no scientific proof to back it up, a lot of people claim to feel the effects of crystals.
One of the most famous believers in crystal healing is Gwyneth Paltrow. Her website, Goop, even has its own page dedicated to the 8 most essential crystals. Those 8 crystals are black obsidian, carnelian, citrine, rose quartz, lapis lazuli, clear quartz, amethyst and chrysocolla. Each stone serves a different purpose, so it’s recommended that you have one of each.