The virtues of stones in lithotherapy, their mineralogical properties and their history
Are you looking for reliable information on the virtues and properties of stones, crystals and minerals in lithotherapy?
In this practical, comprehensive and interactive guide to over 200 different semi-precious stones, you can discover their benefits on emotional, physical and spiritual health, advice on their use in lithotherapy, their history and their properties in mineralogy.
The benefits of natural stone
Natural stones are wonderful allies to accompany you on your path. Each stone has its own energy and interacts with your energy.
Semiprecious stones can be used to support the body and mind in the healing process of an illness, for emotional support at a difficult time in life, as a guide for "spiritual elevation" or as a protective talisman.
The health benefits of stones can be explained by the fact that lithotherapy directly involves the person concerned in the healing process. Here, the stone is a guide, an ally and a support, but in no way replaces appropriate medical care in the event of illness or pathology.
In this guide you can discover the virtues, benefits and significance of stones in lithotherapy, and then go further in search of information on our pages dedicated to each stone; search, for example, for the significance of Citrine or the properties of Vulcanite.
for example, as well as a wealth of information on the uses of stones, their history and their special features in mineral therapy.
What are the origins of lithotherapy?
Stone medicine is called lithotherapy. Although it has been "in vogue" for the last twenty years or so, this branch of alternative medicine is by no means new. Archaeological excavations in many parts of the world have revealed that people have been using stones for their healing powers for over 10,000 years and throughout the history of civilization.
Various writings from the Middle Ages, notably those by Hildegarde of Binden, describe in detail the virtues of semi-precious stones and their use for healing or protection.
What defines the significance of semi-precious stones?
The meaning of a semi-precious stone is defined mainly by its chemical composition, mineralogical formation, crystalline system, appearance, color(s), sensitivity and perceptions of the person studying the stone, experiences.
Chemical composition: this defines the stone's virtues in trace element and macroelement medicine. By coming into direct contact with the stone on the skin, the various chemical elements (albeit in homeopathic doses) can have an effect on the body.
For example, a copper-rich stone (such as Malachite or Chrysocolla) can boost the immune system and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Crystalline system: whether the stone has a crystalline system or is "amorphous", this influences its energy.
For example, a stone with a perfectly ordered crystalline system will give off an energy of order and structure that will influence the person working with it, thus enhancing the person's organizational skills.
Mineral formation: the energy of a stone varies according to the type of formation it comes from: magmatic, metamorphic or sedimentary.
For example, a magmatically formed stone that has formed deep in the earth can be used to bring to light unconscious blockages or resources buried within us.
The colors of semi-precious stones: the medicine used in this field is called chromotherapy. Each color has a wavelength which, as it passes through our retina, interacts with our physical and energetic bodies.
The color yellow gives self-confidence, has anti-depressant effects and aids digestion. Each color has its own symbols. You can explore them by consulting the list of stones by color, e.g. red and garnet gemstones, or search for a specific hue, e.g. light brown stones.
Sensitivity and experience: if the above elements give a good number of indications about the virtues of stones, each person interacts with stones according to his or her own sensitivity and perceptions and this varies from person to person.
Interpretations of the benefits of a stone are as vast as there are individuals, so I invite everyone to consider what's written on a stone as a guide and to experiment for themselves.