For purposes of simplicity, unless stated otherwise the term “crystal” will refer to gemstones, amber, stones, minerals, true crystals and meteorites.
Crystals have been used throughout history and prehistory. It could be argued that humans have an innateness towards crystals for help, healing, and protection. Ancient Sumerians used crystals as part of magic formulas. Ancient Egyptians used crystals as a form of protection. The Ancient Greeks wore Amethyst to prevent drunkenness and a hangover. The greek word, Amethystos, meaning “not drunk”.
In India, Vedic texts, circa 1000 BC, provide the origin of how certain crystals are powerful for specific uses in Ayurvedic medicine. A demon Vala was killed and his body parts spread through the lands, which became the source for many crystals. For example, rubies represent the blood of Vala and are used for vitality and circulation. Emeralds represent the bile of Vala and may be recommended for poisoning, emesis, constipation and swollen organs. The Vedic texts are also the source for practices such as yoga and meditation. Linking crystals further to Ayurveda, they are also used as chakra healing and in Birthstone/Zodiac-stone energy balance.
There are other groups that employ crystal healing practices, including New Age Spiritualism, Wicca, The Craft, and more. I could write an entire blog regarding each of these groups and their transformations over time. Some groups may blend crystal healing practices. For instance New Age Spiritualism may constitute Ayurvedic components of yoga and meditation, while still employing crystal therapy.
As scientific nurse practitioners, is there any research to support therapeutic properties of crystals? And, should we support or even recommend them to our clients?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) view energy in two groups: Veritable Energy Medicine and Putative Energy Medicine. Veritable Energies include light box therapy and trans magnetic stimulation. Putative Energy Medicine includes crystal healing, reiki, and Qi. The NIC indicates the later group having unverified supportive scientific research.
Crystal healing is believed to provide its benefits through Vibrational Medicine. Vibration Medicine is a wider practice that looks at the energy fields of an individual. The theory is that everything in the universe, including the human body, is in constant vibration. For humans this frequency is between 62-70 MHz. Lower frequencies suggest illness. Discussions from crystal healers suggest that individual cells in certain body organs or body regions need their frequencies balanced or increased. Crystals are thought to offer this vibrational balance. Due to a crystal’s form and atomic matrix, they have an ability to increase vibrations. By increasing vibrations they improve person’s energy field and aid in cellular healing. Crystals also vary in the type of vibrations, so the appropriate crystal must be used. It is important to note that Vibrational Medicine includes many other modalities such as vibrations from music, sound (a singing bowl), healing of the hands (reiki), and more.
Structurally, the atoms of a crystal are in a constant state of vibration, called phonons. The phonons interact with the electrons of the crystal atoms, which is believed to give crystals a variety of electrical and light properties (Berges, 2023). However, there is no scientific research to suggest that being in proximity of a crystal demonstrates any exchange of vibratory energy with the human body.
In my research, I found only one study examining the therapeutic use of crystals. In 2001, Christopher French led a study that was conducted in Europe. Participants meditated for five minutes while holding a token. Half of the participants were given quartz token and the other half were given quartz-looking glass token. Both groups rated greater sensations in their hand and improvement in wellbeing. The study found that if a participant believed the crystal would provide emotional benefit, then it did.
As of yet, research has not demonstrated physical proof for physiologic benefit of crystals. It does make someone wonder what about the participants in French’s study who reported improvement? What about the many communities who are adamant about the mental and physical benefits of crystal energy?
The aforementioned use of crystals may include meditation and yoga. Obviously, integrating these techniques into daily life, with or without the use of crystals, will show benefit. On the other hand, engaging in mono therapeutic crystal use could also show benefit. When using a crystal, a person creates an intention. An intention is type of goal, mantra or wish. There are a few recommendations when formulating an intention, including focusing on a need rather than a want, do not intend for something financial or material, and do not try to change another person. The act of intention is focused. While holding your crystal(s), or in close proximity, continue to repeat your intention. Repetition can be mentally inward, aloud to the universe, or on paper. Those engaged in crystal healing continue to reaffirm their intention daily. Crystals are worn on the body or left in a key place, to remind them of the intention and healing. Crystals should also be cleansed in water, sea salt, brown rice, moonlight, smoked herbs, or the soil. The specific method of cleansing can also charge the crystal. This process can be complicated as certain types of crystals are not supposed to be cleansed in certain manners. Intentions are refreshed and reset every new moon, about once per month.
Psychologically, crystals are a useful coping mechanism. Intentions provide a cognitive behavioral-type intervention. The process of crystal reaffirmation creates a pattern for repetitive cognitive reframing. It can instill positive and optimistic thinking. Reaffirming an intention helps build new neuronal connections, improve positive cognition and decrease negative ones. The new moon refresh is an excellent way for the client to engage in self-reflection of their goals and revise their cognitive messages.
Clinically, a client who engages in crystal therapy has therapeutic strengths. The client already has a well-developed cognitive reframing system. This is an opportunity for the APRN to assess their crystal intention(s) and offer feedback. This might also be an opportunity to add another intention at the next new moon that aligns with their clinical needs. We might even work with a client who doesn’t present with a feasible intention. Perhaps they want to cure a disease through crystal healing? I would always respect their beliefs and intention. If crystal healing offers a client hope and a more positive day, I think that’s a benefit for any human being. As APRNs, we need to provide education on obtaining additional supportive/professional/medical assistance with their intention too.
Professionally, I have used crystal healing with success. I keep a bunch of colorful crystals in my office. I find that youth, from about ages 5 to 25 will comment favorably on the crystals. Sometimes, I’ll take this as an opportunity to teach a child the beginnings of CBT or impulse control, while using the crystal as a gateway tool. I make a small production out of the process to get the youth engaged. I encourage them to chose a crystal carefully. We will review intentions and carefully create one that builds body image, bravery, trust, safety, etc. If the child seems engaged in practicing a positive cognition while using the crystal, we will add mom or dad to the conversation. Then I will offer the crystal to the child so that they may continue their skills. Sometimes, I have very impulsive or hyperactive children. I will practice trying to build the beginnings of self-control while engaging in crystal healing. Usually this is very basic; simply holding the crystal and practicing quiet for 10-60 seconds (or longer if possible). We then practice this skill with the crystal a few times over the session. If they can do this multiple times over a few sessions, I’ll offer them the crystal to continue their self-control. Approximately 30% are willing to engage in this practice over multiple sessions to actually earn the crystal. One child with ADHD even brought the crystal to school and it provided some mild benefit. If the crystal intrigues a teen or young adult, we practice the skills and then the crystal is offered to the client to continue the skills. I will assume any approach to get a person engaged in reflection and routine therapeutic coping skills!
APRNConnect recommends crystal therapy for clients:
Crystals work especially well for children
a. They should be earned through engagement
Assess/Initiate Intentions for well-formed therapeutic goals
Review intentions at the New Moon
Assess for obsessive ritualism
Gently Educate about additional needs or services
The most common crystal for healing is quartz, considered the “master healer.” Quartz is used throughout a variety of industries. It is extracted from rocks and sand and converted for its specific use. Commonly quartz is processed into silica, also known as silicon dioxide. Silica is used as a glidant in pharmaceutical and over-the-counter medications. This prevents the particles of the pill to clump during manufacturing. Many of the medications that we prescribe have silica as an ingredient. You could say that we unknowingly already prescribe “crystal healing".
References
Berges, J. (2023). Toward a complete theory of crystal vibrations. Physics, 16, (151). Retrieved on 06/27/2024, from https://physics.aps.org/articles/v16/151
French, C. C., O’Donnell, H., & Williams, L. (2001). Hypnotic susceptibility, paranormal belief and reports of ‘crystal power’. British Psychological Society Centenary Annual Conference, Glasgow, 28-31. (Abstract published in Proceedings of the British Psychological Society, 9(2), 186).
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