Using Crystals and Gemstones to Boost Mental Health

The use of crystals, gemstones, and other substances to promote the healing of mind, body, and soul has been prevalent since ancient times. These precious and beautiful gems were used as accessories not only for their aesthetic value but to harness their alleged natural healing potentials as well. Evidence has been found suggesting that ancient Egyptians used specific gemstone recipes for therapeutic and protective purposes.

Employing gemstones and crystals for healing purposes became less popular through the years, but the recent rise of complementary and alternative medicine is bringing the practice back. Using crystals or gems to improve physical and mental health is known as crystal or gemstone therapy. Proponents of this type of traditional therapy believe that all gemstones and crystals transmit certain vibrations and serve as conduits of positive energy.

Gemstones and crystals to improve mental well-being

While scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of crystals and gemstones is lacking, countless advocates swear that the substances work. It is not surprising that the crystal industry today is now a billion-dollar industry.

In India, the use of gemstones and crystals for health and well-being is part of the practice of a holistic form of care known as Ayurveda medicine. Many people from countries such as the United States also tout the healing properties of crystals and gemstones. If you are interested in trying this type of alternative therapy to improve your psychological and emotional well-being, here are some of the crystals and gemstones that you can consider:

Amethyst

Amethyst is a purple form of quartz that is said to contain purifying, healing, and protective properties. Crystal experts assert that this popular gemstone can help you reduce negative thoughts, address insomnia, and provide relief from stress. People in drug recovery may benefit from the use of amethyst as it is believed to promote sobriety.  

Clear Quartz

True to its translucent and clear appearance, clear quartz stands for the clarity of mind that you aim to achieve with different meditation techniques. Advocates claim that this mineral has the power to boost the body’s energy, improve concentration, and address memory problems. Oftentimes, clear quartz is paired with other crystals to maximize their beneficial effects.

Citrine

Another type of quartz, citrine is one of the most cherished gemstones of all. Its golden, yellowish color is not only beautiful to view, but proponents of the stone say it also brings positive energy in your life. Crystal experts claim that citrine can boost your enthusiasm, promote wonder, and bring joy to every facet of your life. Apart from these mood-enhancing benefits, this crystal can help you remove negative energies such as fear and pessimism. The use of citrine can also help promote mental well-being as it helps improve your mindfulness, concentration, and creativity. 

Rose quartz

If your relationships are causing you emotional distress, rose quartz can help you address this concern, as it is believed to facilitate the renewal of harmonious relationships and trust. When combined with the gemstone red spinel, this pinkish stone can also restore your mental well-being, particularly during times of sustained grief, frustration, or stress.

Jasper 

When you are in need of comfort and uplifting, especially during challenging times, jasper could be your go-to gemstone. Your mental wellness will be at risk if you cannot lift your spirit or nurture your soul. How can jasper help? This smooth stone is believed to absorb negative feelings. At the same time, it may strengthen people's courage and confidence, qualities people need to get through tough times.

Amber

Not technically a gemstone, amber is fossiled resin formed from the solidified sap of a pine tree. This substance is said to have the power to purify your body and spirit from negative energies that may affect your psychological and emotional well-being. Amber is also believed to promote patience, calmness, strength, and kindness.

Aquamarine

One of the primary causes of mental anguish is stress. To relieve stress, you can use aquamarine, the blue-green gemstone that may be in sync with the ocean. This beautiful stone is linked with serenity, cleansing, peace, and meditation. Crystal experts also claim that aquamarine can help people suffering from intense fear or phobias as it promotes tranquility and calmness.

Tiger’s Eye

If you are bogged down with fear and anxiety and are finding it difficult to motivate yourself to work towards your goals, consider using tiger’s eye. Characterized by bands of yellow-golden color, this stone is said to be a powerful motivation booster. Experts claim that this stone can help remove anxious feelings, fear, and even self-doubt, which can help you better pursue your goals in life.

The substances described above are just some of the popular materials considered to improve mental wellness. If you are inclined to try them, you need an open mind. If you are completely doubtful of their effects, they may not be beneficial at all. Ultimately, people who experienced positive results believed that the substances would work.

Adam Durnham is a freelance blogger that specializes in mental health and wellness through holistic techniques. He currently lives in Detroit with his dog Beignet.

Food and Attitude: The Missed Opportunities of Paula Deen

I have never seen Paula Deen in action. I have never watched the Food Network. The only reason I know about Paula Deen, other than her two recent controversies, is that I saw her face on a magazine in Publix and loved her bright blue eyes and white curly hair.

When I heard about her ironic-but-expected diagnoses of diabetes I was not unsympathetic, but I wondered about the integrity of a person who would encourage people to kill themselves with the standard American diet (SAD for short). Once she was diagnosed she had the opportunity to make a real difference and educate the American public about how comfort food doesn’t lead to comfort, but she didn’t. That she hid her disease for years and continued to push the dangerous drugs of fat and sugar was reprehensible.

And now we discover she is a racist.

The thing is, both her racism and her diet come from the same cultural roots. On some level, we have to have sympathy for cultural ignorance. And, as the song from “Avenue Q” says, “Everybody’s a Little Racist.”

I think this recent Paula Deen scandal opened an opportunity for us to really talk about race and culture in a way that could have been healing and helpful.

But here’s the problem. Paula Deen doesn’t take opportunities for healing. Paula Deen doesn’t take responsibility for her actions, or for her need to grow. When asked about her use of the “n word” Paula justified it by saying she “didn’t feel real favorable towards him.” Deen’s lousy grammar aside, this statement says everything we need to know about Paula Deen. Deen feels that anger justifies the use of a racial slur.

I’ve been angry at people of all different races. I know a lot of off-color words one could use in anger that don’t make reference to race. Deen could have called the man who held a gun to her head an a*shole, a f*ckwad or a sh*thead and been perfectly justified. That she made it about race and justified it after the fact tell us everything we need to know.

For Deen, the race of the individual explains the individual’s actions. If a person of color did something wrong, they did it because of the color of their skin.

We understand that Paula Deen came from a family who owned slaves. A lot of us trace our roots to that regrettable time in American history. We can’t change the past. But when given the chance to help all of America heal and grow, Paula Deen simply used her culture to justify her attitude.

Paula Deen is not the only racist in the public eye. Ann Coulter recently made some inflammatory racist comments wrapped in misguided national pride. But Ann Coulter makes a living being offensive. She does it for attention, and she does it because she knows it’s shocking. Paula Deen is the worst kind of racist because she is too ignorant to realize she’s wrong.

On two occasions now the Universe has given Paula Deen the opportunity for redemption. She could have used her formidable position to help educate Americans about the dangers of comfort food once she had experienced them for herself. She could have helped us understand the racism inherent in our culture and understand why we have to grow beyond it. But she didn’t.

I will probably never watch the Food Network. But I am pleased with the stand they have taken. It is impossible to be an apologist for Paula Deen without being a contributor to the poor physical and moral health of our country.

It’s too bad. I still appreciate her blue eyes, and that she rocks her white hair so well. She is, and will always be, an American icon. In many ways she is an example of perseverance, and of using what you have to get where you want to be. In those ways it is easy to admire her.

None of us is perfect. But Paula Deen has shown no interest in using her situation to help anyone. That she is a product of her culture is understandable. That she refuses to use her position to make a difference for our country is not. I don’t want to poison myself by swallowing her foods or her attitudes.