2. WHAT IS LITHOTHERAPY ?
• Lithotherapy combines the Greek terms "lithos", or “stone”,
and" theraperia ", or “cure”, literally meaning “method which
heals by the use of stones”.
• It is based on the belief that some stones and crystals produce
imperceptible vibrations. These would resonate with the skin,
stimulating certain organs or body functions
• Each stone would thus emit a specific vibration linked to
various energy points: the chakras according to traditional
Indian medicine, the meridians according to traditional Chinese
medicine. According to lithotherapists, the method would help
to harmonize, stimulate or purify, in order to rebalance the vital
functions on the physical as well as the psychological level.
3. WHERE DOES LITHOTHERAPY COME FROM ?
• Lithotherapy is nothing new. Crystals and stones
have been used as lucky charms since antiquity,
which already gave minerals unexplained virtues.
• Many traditional medicines also use it, for both
well-being and cosmetics, from India to China,
some to the point of conferring them with
therapeutic virtues.
• Traditional Tibetan medicine uses stone powder
in particular for certain remedies. In the Middle
Ages, in Europe, the benefits given to stones
were almost magical!
4. DOES LITHOTHERAPY REALLY WORK ?
• Fans will tell you yes, scientists will pout. Lithotherapy is
currently considered a pseudoscience, without any scientific
basis. There is no proof of its effectiveness, nor of
vibrations emitted by stones and crystals ... except
radioactive minerals, fortunately excluded from the practice.
• The reported benefits are seen by scientists as a placebo
effect, resulting from the power of suggestion, not from the
stones themselves
• To conclude ? Lithotherapy remains safe as long as it is used
lightly, and any beneficial effect in its interest, placebo or
not. But it can never be a substitute for medical treatment,
especially in cases of serious illness.
5. THE BASIC RULES ACCORDING TO LITHOTHERAPY
• In lithotherapy, stones are considered to be charged with
energy. This energy would gradually drain over time or the
negative waves to which they are exposed. It would therefore
be necessary to recharge them by exposing them to the sun
or the moon, depending on the type of stone.
• For the same reason, the stones should be cleaned regularly
to purify them. This could mean aerating them, purifying
them with incense or essential oils, or simply rinsing them
under running water for about thirty seconds.
• A split stone would lose its properties, so conservation is
essential: “healing stones”, as some call them, should be
protected from physical and thermal shocks. For the most
fragile, they should be kept in clean cloths made of natural
fibers.
6. CAN WE COMBINE DIFFERENT STONES AND CRYSTALS ?
• According to lithotherapy, yes, on
condition of maintaining consistency
between the minerals. Gems from the
same family or with identical chemical
compounds can be combined. On the
other hand, stones with opposite
virtues should not logically be
associated. There are also stones
considered to be “strong” which are
preferably worn alone.
7. WHICH STONE FOR WHICH AILMENTS ?
• There are hundreds of stones, which can be
chosen according to their virtues, their color, the
chakras to activate, the month of birth or the
astrological sign of the person, the ailments
targeted ... In other words, choosing the right
stone by lithotherapy can turn out to be complex.
• Some lithotherapists recommend an emotional
approach, both in terms of visual appeal and how
it feels when touching the stone. Otherwise, some
specialized sites offer search engines for each
criterion. Whatever happens, keep in mind that
this is a potential boost, not a cure.
8. CHOOSE YOUR STONES ACCORDING TO AILMENTS
• For breathing: amber worn as a pendant on the chest would support the
respiratory system.
• For transit : the tourmaline used as a massage stone or simply placed on
the stomach for about ten minutes each day would stimulate a transit that
is too slow.
• For digestion: yellow jasper, used in the same way for about twenty
minutes a day, would facilitate digestion.
• For the joints: the malachite applied to the painful joints acts on the
energy mechanisms.
• For sleep: amethyst placed under the pillow would have an effect on sleep
by limiting nocturnal awakenings and relieving stress.
• For fatigue: imperial topaz worn directly on the skin, ideally as a pendant,
has revitalizing properties.
• For morale: Amazonite would help soothe sadness and negative thoughts
in case of low morale.
• For shyness: Labradorite stored in a pocket, as a piece of jewelry or placed
in a room would protect against negative waves and help to express itself.
9. HOW STONES ARE USED IN LITHOTHERAPY ?
• Trend requires, uses multiply as it grows. The most
popular practice is to wear a stone or crystal directly
on the skin, as a pendant, ring or bracelet. Stones
can also be used for decoration, simply arranged in
a room, allowing the use of larger minerals. Their
impact would be the same regardless of the finish,
whether the mineral is raw, polished or cut.
• Today, there are also many variations incorporating
stones or stone powders: cosmetics, pill boxes,
notebooks, dice games, rollers and massage oils ...
and even waters, called gem waters!
