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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lao Tzu on March 17, 2010, at 10:02:09
Using gemstones to help alleviate depression is not a new idea. It is a form of energy medicine that affects the human aura and thus, all aspects of the human body, emotions, spirit, mental capacities, etc. Because it is not an exact science, it is sort of a fringe therapy. Honestly, there is no relevant substitute for good nutrition including vitamin supplements, and if necessary, medication. These are a must for anyone with serious mental illness. That being said, crystal therapy can offer a different dimension in the healing the process. I have had years of experimenting with different cyrstals and gemstones to find the ones that helped my depression. Some helped a little. Others made me feel worse. I know first hand how frustrating and expensive it can be delving into crystal healing. Then one day, I lost my job of 5 years, a great job for me. I was so distraught and grief-stricken that I went out that day and bought a $600 Aquamarine necklace, which I made sure my finances were in order and I could afford. I don't suggest plunking down $600 for a necklace if you just lost your job. That is counterintuitve. Yet, I bought it anyway, and it actually helped me deal with the grief and the emotional distress of losing my job. I wore it on and off for months after. It is one of the few gemstones I can actually tolerate. It took many trials with different gemstones and crystals to finally decide aquamarine was the one that worked for me. I spent a lot of money on crystals, and you could probably say I was foolish and misguided. Using crystals to heal is useful, but at times can be hit or miss. I since gave my aquamarine necklace which was very beautiful to my grandmother when she was admitted to a nursing home. I thought it would bring her some comfort, but what do you know, someone there stole it from her. I was heart-broken. I don't even know if she would have continued to wear it, but it was very pretty and a wonderful gift for anyone who is experiencing a lot of emotional turmoil or grieving for some reason. In 2005, my psychosis hit hard and I was put on a high dose of Risperdal. I placed all of my gemstones in a jewelry box and forgot about them for awhile. A year later, I started dabbling in nutritional supplements that to this day are very helpful for me. A year after that I started delving into the crystal healing again. For some reason, I was attracted to the thought of crystals healing a person. I had some success with good quality garnet crystals and some amazonite and also onyx and black tourmaline. Yet, I felt these stones were not exactly the right match for my problems. I delved further trying different stones. I even tried emerald, which seemed pleasing. It was only until I tried aquamarine that I knew I had found the best gemstone yet. Several weeks ago, I tried wearing a good quality sky blue aquamarine ring, and I believe it has helped me somewhat with my depression, which probably is caused by my grief for losing my job, my apartment, and my girlfriend. After wearing it for a few days (about 3-4 hours per day), I finally realized that I never quite got over losing those valuable things in my life. I was illuminated by aquamarine in a subtle but real way. At least, that is what I believe. I'm not saying aquamarine is the right stone for everyone. It really depends on the underlying reason for your depression. For some people, it is more mental. For others, it involves a more physical cause. Anyway, I just wanted to relate my experience with crystal therapy to anyone who might be experiencing a lot of grief or emotional turmoil, especially as it relates to losing something very important in your life. Blue aquamarine is the best for help with grief and emotional pain. Green aquamarine works more on a physical level that a mental level. A good quality aquamarine ring cost about $300 or less. For more intensive therapy, an aquamarine necklace is needed and can be pricey. Aquamarine is one of the more expensive gemstones. Usually, it comes in crystals that are bluish-green, but you should look for the ones where the blue color predominates over the green. Aquamarine is a beryl like emerald, but the two work differently. Anyway, just throwing this out there to anyone interested. Please don't go out and spend a lot of money if you don't have it. It's not that important. I'm just expressing that it might be helpful to some of you, but like I said, crystal therapy can be largely hit or miss. If you have the money to dabble in it, by all means, but what is more important is good nutrition and medication, if necessary. Cheers!!
Posted by Lao Tzu on March 17, 2010, at 13:31:18
In reply to Crystal gemstone therapy, posted by Lao Tzu on March 17, 2010, at 10:02:09
Aquamarine is more of a "guide" showing you the truth of your life so that you can make better decisions for yourself. Personally, you still need good nutrition, and for those who are really ill, medication. But what it does is help you to understand yourself and your situation a little better. I can't say that it cures depression, but I think it allows you to see your situation from a more rational point of view so that the depression doesn't take over your life and prevent you from living. This is just my own personal experience with aquamarine.
Posted by Lao Tzu on March 18, 2010, at 15:06:07
In reply to Crystal gemstone therapy, posted by Lao Tzu on March 17, 2010, at 10:02:09
I've been using aquamarine now for over a week, and I find that it helps lighten the emotional burden of my depression, BUT I still have to take my medicine and nutritional supplements. It is complementary to them. I find that I open up a little more to people, but since I have schizophrenia social withdrawal is very common for me. Right now, I am only using an aquamarine ring with a big gemstone, probably around 2 carats. I think for more intensive therapy, you would need a whole strand or maybe even a necklace. I don't usually like wearing gemstones, but aquamarine is the one I do like to wear. It is expensive, though. I paid over $300 just for the ring. Necklaces are expensive, too. Gemisphere's aquamarine necklaces are outrageously high. It would be like an investment to buy from them. Instead, I went to a reputable jewelry store and paid $600 for a beautiful necklace. That is expensive, too, but no where near Gemisphere's prices. They do sell only quality gemstones, but my God!! I always say start off with just a little, say a few carats of aquamarine. You don't necessarily need a whole necklace. A little goes a long way with some gemstones. A whole necklace is for more intensive therapy, which some people may need. I have mixed feelings about using gemstones for healing. If you find the right stone for you, it might help you. The problem is I don't think anyone knows for sure what gemstone is right for them. I actually spent a lot of money trying different stones before I happened upon aquamarine. I spent a lot of time devoted to understanding crystal healing, but in the end, I only found one that really helped. The others partially helped or actually made me feel worse. It's akin to trying every nutritional supplement out there. Over time, you spend a lot of money until you get wise and realize the exact supplements you need. I can't tell you how much I've spent at the Vitamin Shoppe over the years. At any rate, aquamarine is a good stone to start with, but just as important are your medications and nutritional supplements.
Posted by Lao Tzu on March 25, 2010, at 12:06:35
In reply to Crystal gemstone therapy, posted by Lao Tzu on March 17, 2010, at 10:02:09
Honestly, after all of my experimentation with crystals and gemstones, I think it may be premature to validate it as a relevant therapy, although in some cases it may be beneficial, at least in the short-term. I think there may be a lot of quackery involved in this type of therapy. It's a money-making business, but I have found that a few different gemstones did help me in the short-term. The ones that did help me somewhat are carnelian, aquamarine, emerald, frosted quartz, onyx, amazonite, black tourmaline, and gypsum. However, for long-term use, I do better on medication and nutritional supplements. I think the crystals are good for short-term aids in healing.
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