Crystals and stones have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Amethyst was placed under the tongue, or vessels were carved or inlayed out of the purple stone to cure drunkenness. Alexander the Great was reputed to have given his soldiers lodestones to carry in order to repel evil spirits. Crystals are used in watches and in computer chips to store information, while scientists think they have discovered it's a tiny magnetic crystal in the brains of fowl that reacts to the Earth's magnetic field to guide the migratory patterns of birds. So there is little doubt that crystals and stones have something going on. But how exactly do you use them for healing?

Picking the Crystals

Before any healing can happen, the tools have to be chosen. While traditionally each crystal has an area it's best for, such as amethyst for addictions and hematite for grounding, it's best to focus on intuition over information found in books. So if you feel drawn to use a chunk of citrine for healing your heart when it traditionally stands for financial wealth, it's best to follow that hunch.

When selecting a specific crystal for purchase or use in healing work, there are two ways of choosing. First, you can pick up whichever stone first calls to you, or you can pick out the largest or most beautiful one. It's the former method that will serve the best, as it's the ego that is drawn to outer beauty rather than what one really needs. If you feel yourself torn between to crystals, hold them both lightly, one in each palm, and try and focus on their energy. Whichever one feels the best, is the one you should take home with you.

Laying on the Stones

Perhaps you've noticed that during some massages, or even reiki healing sessions, tiny stones are placed along the individual's body. They are usually set at key chakra points (chakras are highly concentrated vortexes of natural energy that are located in approximately seven areas of the human form). It's believed the vibrational levels of the crystals interact with the vibrational levels of a person's aura (energy field), to bring it to the stone's level. The stones then work to help cleanse negative energy, repair damaged shielding that protects from outer influences, or deposits good energy back into the auric field, depending on the stone. The whole process only takes about twenty minutes, if you're in a hurry.

Gem Elixirs

Another way of using stones for medicinal purposes is to create an elixir with them. For this, take a bowl of water, or even a sun tea jar, and place the stone into the water. Leave it out in the sun or moon so the crystal's vibrational input can be coded into the water. Then, use the elixir topically or ingest it. However, it's important to research before creating an elixir, as certain stones are soft and thus disintegrate into the water. Some, such as malachite, can be toxic. Members of the quartz family, specifically clear quartz, amethyst, and citrine, are safe to use for this method.

Cleaning the Stones

Just like our auras need to be cleansed regularly, the vast majority of stones do as well (citrine, selenite, and a few others are an exception). Cleaning your crystals is easy, and highly intuitive. Some people leave them outside on the soil to let the Earth absorb the accumulated energy (try to avoid too much direct sunlight, as this can fade certain gem's colors, such as amethyst). Some prefer to leave their stones in the moonlight, especially on a full moon. Holy, or blessed water, may also be used, as well as a smudging stick (a bundle of herbs, usually sage, that is burned; the smoke is used to clean energy). Some people simply say a prayer or blessing over the crystal. Go with what feels right for you.

Healing with gemstones is a highly intuitive, personal art that relies more on hunches and gut feelings than information found in books. Do what you are guided to do with the intention of healing in your heart.

Eyewitness Books Crystals and Gems, by Dorling Kindersley

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall