Introduction

Lithotherapy is an ancient healing technique that depends upon the positive natural energy that is inherent within specific stones and crystals that provide healing capabilities to induce a calm of mind, promote relaxation and instil a sense of peace within people. It is a combination of using stones for massage and chromotherapy (or the stones colours) to cure the mind and body.

Lithotherapy is not just a healing technique, but a worldwide industry with retail sales of crystals contributing more than one billion US dollars per year.

What is Lithotherapy?

The National Geographic cited a scientific study conducted by the University of Wisconsin that acknowledged the existence of the oldest known naturally formed rock fragment called Zircon, which was scientifically dated back to 4.5 billion years ago, and it was discovered in Australia. Zircon is one stone that is usually adopted in lithotherapy, commonly seen as a blue colour, although it can also be found in yellow and shades of brown. Zircon symbolises the inner fire, and it has been used to strengthen the immune system, helping our bodies fight illness and disease.

Long considered an alternative form of medicine, lithotherapy uses the internal energy and colour from certain stones to harmonise the body. Interestingly, the word lithotherapy has its origins in ancient Greek. The Greek words therapia (meaning ‘care’), and lithos (meaning ‘stone’) are combined together to form the word lithotherapy. The literal meaning is ‘the way to care by using stones’.

The lithotherapy healing power and process are as follows: the minerals formed within the stones emit tiny vibrations containing properties that can either reduce or remove both physical and psychologies irregularities within the human body. Either placed at strategic positions along the body (typically placed on the spine, while lying face down on a relaxing massage table) or worn around the neck as pendants, the released vibrations are believed to positively treat internal organs that they harmonise with. The energy released by the stones correlates to their internal chemical composition, their shape and colour.

Lithotherapy has been attributed to creating and maintaining a positive balance between one’s body, mind and spirit. The assistance it can provide can be physical or on a psychological and spiritual level. Lithotherapy has also been used successfully to remove emotional obstacles and assist individuals by providing a heightened awareness to personal discovery.

What are its Origins?

The origins of lithotherapy can be dated back to 500 BC, where observations of different crystals’ healing powers were scribed. Upon severe injury or illness, a particular stone with certain healing powers would heal the ailing individual. The healing method involved wearing amulets, containing these specific stones, around the neck until normal health resumed.

The healing powers of crystals can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece:

Ancient Egypt

• Ancient Egyptians mined crystals make jewellery, and also for their healing abilities,
• Healing crystals were used for health and protection,
• Amulets that contained healing crystals were worn by ancient Egyptians to signify their status and importance within the community.
• Amulets were often worn by the dead (especially mummys) as they believed wearing them would protect them in the afterlife.

Ancient Greece

• The word ‘crystal’ comes from the Greek words krýstallos (meaning ‘ice’),
• The Ancient Greeks believed that quartz crystals were frozen so solid that they would permanently remain in this state, regardless of the external conditions,
• The word ‘amethyst’ comes from the Greek word amethyos (meaning ‘not intoxicate.’) Amethyst was worn by the Ancient Greeks to prevent alcohol intoxication and minimise or eliminate hangovers.

In more recent times in 1609, the court physician to Rudolf II of Germany, Anselmus de Boot, believed that gemstones’ healing presence was due to the presence of either good or bad angels. Good angels would provide an extraordinary power to certain gems, and evil angels would provide temptation into other gemstones and crystals.

What are the Benefits of Lithotherapy?

Human bodies comprise of naturally formed energies, that work harmoniously together to maintain a healthy balance physically and spiritually. The benefit of lithotherapy will provide you with a realisation that you can revitalise yourself and unleash spiritual and physical virtues.

The key benefits that lithotherapy can provide are as follows:

• Complete internal revitalising and energising of one’s inner soul and spirit which caused depletion,
• The removal of internal emotional turmoil, negative energy and tension that has arisen due to external life circumstances,
• The ability to minimise and overcome instances of nightmares or night terrors,
• Crystals can also combat evil spirits and spells that have accumulated in the body that have drained energy and caused diseases.

What are the Different Ways to use the Healing Crystals?

There are no constraints on how you use stones for lithotherapy practices, so long as you choose the correct stone for the specific ailment that requires treatment. As crystals can absorb, repel or transmit natural energies, wearing a stone around your neck (in the form of a necklace, or pendant), an earring, rings on your fingers and toes, or an arm amulet is easy and efficient.

You can apply healing stones directly to the part of the body that needs healing – such as placing stones (called ‘laying on of stones’) in a straight line on one’s spine if there is a back ailment that requires attention, while some people hold a crystal during a meditation session to capture the positive radiance that is emitted.

Other ways to use stones is to arrange or place them in a fixed pattern on the floor, forming a shape that is designed to transfer the healing energies from the crystals to oneself. Others sleep with the crystals positioned near the bed, so their powers can work on the mind while asleep to eliminate negative energies associated with daily life stresses. Some practices involved holding the crystal and moving it slowly all over the body, clearing all negative energy as it progresses all over. Some people place them in their workplace to transmit positive energy and enhance their productiveness and improve their career progression capabilities.

Healing Stones used in Lithotherapy

Various types of stones are used in lithotherapy, and they are used for different purposes.

• Clear quartz is a potent crystal, used for providing protection, assisting with problem-solving, internal aural cleansing, and aiding the immune system’s rejuvenation. Rose quartz is a symbol of love and harmony. It can assist in embracing love and affection and help resolve any current relationship concerns.
• Citrine stone is used to attract wealth and prosperity, soothe and calm any stomach or digestion disorders. When infused with sunlight, it can become a powerful catalyst that can provide energy to boost creativity and positivity concerning the future.
• Amethyst is best known to help with energy protection, assist with stress reduction, and provide mood regulation. Amethyst is commonly used for dispersing any negative energies with its internal spiritual properties.
• Black tourmaline is a powerful mineral crystal used for energy protection, a negativity energy absorber, and protect oneself from electronic emanations.
• Fluorite is useful in removing negative energy, aiding meditation practices and finding spiritual tranquillity.
• Jade has a calming effect and is considered perfect for inner self-acceptance and a positive booster to increase your inner creativity.
• Turquoise provides you with the ability to interpret and understand your dreams. It can help strengthen friendships and ward off evil energy, giving confidence if needed in public.
• Obsidian stone can assist if one is struggling to remove bad habits, can be used to provide serenity, and give insight and clarity for a better future.
• Blue zircon is a natural stone, rarely used, but signifies liveliness and brightness. Zircon symbolises the one’s inner fire, and is used to strengthen immune defences and help fight serious illnesses.
• Tanzanite is the stone of the family ‘Zo Zosites’ and this gem was once named ‘the blue treasure of Africa’. In lithotherapy, Tanzanite is known to stimulate the imagination and positively act on the brain.
• Aquamarine – from the Latin phrase ‘aqua marina’ meaning sea water. The Aquamarine symbolises ‘the sea and the mother’ as well as purity. In lithotherapy it is said that it fights all allergies, heals sore throats, and reduces dental pain. It is also known for its promotion of hearing abilities.
• Star Sapphire is one of the most recognised stones by the general public. The nuances of the blue sapphire vary according to its origin. In lithotherapy, it is stated that blue sapphire calms all types of tensions and develops the imagination as well as one’s spirituality.

Conclusion

It is vital to recognise, trust, and learn how to use crystals and minerals for healing purposes. Crystals can enhance one’s natural abilities and capabilities and assist with exploring and reaching our maximum talents. We have noted that different types of crystals have other properties that can help with diverse areas of our lives.

It is sound practice to learn and understand the different properties that crystals can provide to support, and not hinder, any lithotherapy endeavours you are attempting.