What are these crazy rocks that interest people so much? They come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are tumbled and smooth, others are clusters with pointy ends, and then some are completely rough pieces, easily mistaken for regular rocks (if a "regular rock" exists!). They are worn as jewelry, used as decoration, and even used in technology such as ultrasound, transistors, computer chips, cell phones, digital watches, guitar amps, and many other places. When it comes down to it, crystals are used for so many purposes, it is highly unlikely you haven't encountered one.
The fact they are utilized so heavily in technology is a testament to their power. A quartz crystal, when put under pressure, creates an electrical charge, known as a piezoelectric effect, that can be focused and utilized for many purposes. Just as crystals are electric, our bodies are electric as well. Taken to another level, everything, including our body, is energy, manifesting as vibrational frequencies. The human body is a complex bioelectric system that vibrates at varying frequencies, depending on the environment, the body's health, the body's emotional state, etc. Our bodies (and the world we live in) receive and transmit vibrational energy. In this regard, nothing is solid. Our bodies can be changed, in both good and bad ways, by what surrounds us.
When our bodies fall out of balance and we become sick, our vibrational frequency shifts, distorting the crystalline structures in our body. When we surround ourselves by perfected patterns of energy, such as those from crystals, the energy of our body entrains or synchronizes with the higher vibration from the crystal, restoring balance and equilibrium. In other words, we are greatly influenced by the company we keep. This applies to the food we eat, the water we drink, the activities we engage in, and so on. In this regard, crystals are our ultimate friends. There are many types that can be customized for specific health issues. On a scientific level, the crystal's chemical composition, when it comes into contact with our skin, affects our body. Stones are a reflection of the elements in the periodic table, made up of Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Phosphorus, Lithium, etc. We know that when we ingest a mineral, it affects our body in a certain way. When Magnesium is taken internally, it has a calming affect and helps regulate the heart and muscles . Similarly, when a crystal with high magnesium content is touched, it can have similar effects on the body.
To take it a step further, crystals not only reflect the elements within them, but also have properties related to the principles of Chinese Medicine (according to the studies of Taoist Master Jeffrey Yuen). Essential oils are another tool that can be utilized in the same manner, but that would be an entirely different post! Crystals can then be used on acupressure points for their specific qualities. A certain stone might help cool the body and release a headache while another stone might be great for sluggish digestion and fatigue. Even more amazingly, different stones are used together to create custom "formulas, " for addressing specific health issues, similar to an herbal formula. In this regard, they are helpful for Qigong Sessions.
I hope I have given some interesting background on crystals to help demystify them. If you remain skeptical and still do not buy into their healing powers, don't let that discourage you from seeking them out anyway; you can always enjoy their natural beauty!