Posted on November 1st, 2024

Stone medicine is one of the oldest and most powerful branches of Chinese medicine, with a deep connection to what many today refer to as crystal healing. This ancient practice uses the energetic properties of stones and crystals to harmonise the body, balance emotions, and support spiritual growth. While crystal healing is widely known in the West, stone medicine has been used for millennia in Daoist practices as a holistic approach to health and well-being.

This blog article explores the principles, history, and healing applications of stone medicine as taught by renowned practitioners Dr Jeffrey C. Yuen and Leslie J. Franks. Whether you're interested in traditional crystal healing or looking for an in-depth exploration of the energetic properties of stones within Chinese medicine, you'll find valuable insights into how stones and crystals are used to heal body, mind, and spirit.

What is Stone Medicine?

Stone medicine, closely linked with modern crystal healing, is a form of energy medicine. It focuses on the vibrational and energetic properties of minerals, gems, and crystals to promote health and healing. In ancient Chinese medicine, stones were revered for their ability to balance qi (life force energy), harmonise yin and yang, and support the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water).

Daoist alchemists, who viewed stones as "immortal" substances, believed that crystals absorb and store earth's energy for thousands of years. This belief forms the foundation of both traditional Chinese stone medicine and contemporary crystal healing practices.

Dr Jeffrey C. Yuen’s Approach to Stone Medicine

Dr Jeffrey C. Yuen, an internationally respected Chinese medicine practitioner and Daoist priest, has reintroduced stone medicine to the modern world. His approach to stone medicine revolves around the idea that each crystal or stone has a unique vibrational frequency that affects the body's energy systems, a concept widely embraced by crystal healers.

Dr Yuen teaches that different stones resonate with different energy meridians and organs in the body. By selecting specific stones for certain conditions, practitioners can work to balance energy flow, promote healing, and prevent illness. Yuen’s teaching emphasizes the subtle but powerful energetic qualities of stones, making it an integral part of his Chinese medicine practice. He often links crystal healing techniques with stone medicine, offering a richer understanding of how both systems can complement one another.

How Stones are Used in Stone Medicine

In both traditional stone medicine and crystal healing, stones are selected for their vibrational qualities. In Chinese medicine, the use of stones corresponds to particular energy meridians, organs, and specific health conditions. Practitioners place stones on or near the body, use them in elixirs, or even carry them as talismans to benefit from their healing properties.

Stones in Chinese medicine are believed to have unique affinities with certain bodily functions and energies. For example, nephrite jade, a highly valued stone in Chinese culture, is often used to strengthen the kidneys, harmonise qi, and promote longevity. In crystal healing, similar uses are assigned to jade, but its application extends to emotional and spiritual healing as well.

In Dr Yuen’s teachings, stones are not only used for physical ailments but also to address emotional imbalances and spiritual growth. For instance, amethyst is highly regarded for its calming and clarifying properties, making it useful for treating anxiety and emotional distress, as well as aiding meditation and spiritual awareness. Similarly, Leslie J. Franks, in her book on stone medicine, explores how different stones like rose quartz or black tourmaline can be used to heal trauma, balance the energy field, and offer protection, much like in Western crystal healing practices.

The Five Elements and Stone Medicine

Stone medicine in Chinese healing systems is closely tied to the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element corresponds to different organs, emotions, and seasons, and the stones used in stone medicine are selected based on how their energetic properties align with these elements.

For example, stones connected to the Water element, like black obsidian or blue aventurine, are often used to treat the kidneys, bladder, and reproductive system. Stones resonating with the Fire element, such as carnelian or garnet, are used to balance the heart and small intestines, and they can also support emotional energy and passion.

This alignment with the five elements allows practitioners to take a holistic approach to health by selecting stones that not only treat physical symptoms but also balance emotional and spiritual energy. This is closely aligned with how crystal healing works, where stones are selected based on their colour, vibrational frequency, and connection to the chakras or energy centres in the body.

Leslie J. Franks’ Contributions to Stone Medicine

Leslie J. Franks has played a pivotal role in bringing stone medicine to a wider audience, combining traditional Chinese teachings with modern crystal healing practices. In her book "Stone Medicine: A Chinese Medical Guide to Healing with Gems and Minerals," she explores the healing properties of over 200 stones, offering practical advice for incorporating them into daily life.

Franks highlights how stones have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and she provides insights into how these practices can be adapted for modern wellness and healing. Her work makes the connection between stone medicine and crystal healing more accessible, showing how stones can be used to balance emotions, enhance spiritual growth, and support overall well-being.

Franks also emphasises that stones are not only used for physical healing but for emotional and spiritual purposes as well. She often draws parallels between the Daoist philosophy of using stones as "immortal" elements and how crystal healing practitioners today work with stones to align their energy and manifest positive intentions.

Stone Medicine vs Crystal Healing: The Common Ground

While stone medicine is rooted in Chinese medical theory and Daoist philosophy, it shares much common ground with modern crystal healing. Both practices view stones and crystals as powerful tools for energy work, healing, and spiritual growth. They both use the concept of vibrational energy and resonance to explain how stones can affect the body and mind.

Stone medicine offers a more structured approach through its association with the five elements and the meridian systems, while crystal healing often focuses on the chakras and energy fields. However, the goals remain the same: to balance the body’s energy, promote healing, and support overall well-being.

Here at Quantum Vortex, we regularly consult Stone Medicine: A Chinese Medical Guide to Healing with Gems and Minerals by Leslie J. Franks when designing our customised orgones, or recommending crystals.

Please feel free to check our online store for available crystals and orgone (aka orgonite) designed following these principles.

Related: Exploring the Crystal Healing Research of Marcel Vogel: A Pioneering Approach to Energy and Consciousness

Wrapping Up

Stone medicine and crystal healing both offer ancient wisdom and techniques for healing through the energetic properties of stones and crystals. Whether approached through the lens of Chinese medicine as taught by Dr Jeffrey C. Yuen and Leslie J. Franks, or through contemporary crystal healing practices, these modalities provide complementary ways to enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

While stone medicine may offer a deeper connection to Chinese healing philosophy, crystal healing brings a broader, more universally accessible approach to working with the energies of the earth. Together, they provide a powerful foundation for anyone seeking holistic ways to heal, grow, and achieve balance.

Email us at [email protected] or use our contact form to be welcomed into a deeper conversation about these offerings.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article does not constitute medical advice. For any medical conditions, consult a healthcare professional. Stone and crystal healing methods should be considered complementary practices that can support other medical treatments and holistic approaches.