How Stone Medicine Supports Emotional and Energetic Healing

'Stones are the laboratory of all possibilities.' Ge Hong (200AD)

Stone medicine is a powerful yet subtle practice that supports emotional and energetic healing.

Working with crystals and elixirs, it helps the body release what it’s holding and return to balance — often without force or effort.

Those of you who know me well, know that I love crystals. A lot. So it probably comes as no surprise to announce that I've added a new tool to my healing kit and it involves crystals and is called Stone Medicine.

What is Stone Medicine?

Stone Medicine fits under the banner of Chinese Medicine and is an ancient Taoist (pron. dowist) practice and is something that was studied deeply and well recorded by Taoist masters, including one of the Father's of Chinese Medicine, Ge Hong from 200 AD.

Ancient masters observed nature to gain greater wisdom and observed the rhythms of nature were similar to the rhythms of humans. By truly getting to know nature they were more able to truly understand how to not only keep the body in balance, but to reach greater levels of consciousness. Some of the masters even explored immortality.

Centuries ago, Stone Medicine disappeared from popular practice, primarily due to unsafe practices of ingesting toxic heavy metals present in crystals. In the 1970s, a resurgence in the popularity of crystals for healing arrived in line with a leap forward in human consciousness. However, they still to this day remain quite at the edge of alternative healing - seen as airy and abstract - and mainstream acceptance is still far from trusting in the real medicinal benefits of crystals.

Yet here we find ourselves in the midst of another leap forward in human consciousness and with it the re-emergence of Stone Medicine. And we have the ancient Taoist masters to thank for all their hard work in observing, experimenting and recording vast knowledge regarding the medicinal benefits of stones/crystals. There are many ancient texts including Baopuzi, by Ge Hong (200AD) and Essential Formulas Worth a Thousand in Gold for Emergencies by Sun Si Miao (600AD). These studies looked deeply at stones through their material and immaterial aspects. In fact, there is no bigger body of knowledge relating to stones and crystals in the world today than the Taoist study of Stone Medicine.

Stone medicine includes working with crystal elixirs, mists, and vibrational tools that support the body on an energetic level, with me this is often combined with Qigong and energy healing. In my work, I often see how different elixirs support different stages of a person’s healing. One client recently worked with two over time, and each one met her in exactly the way she needed — supporting both emotional shifts and a deeper sense of calm and clarity.

I am a certified Stone Medicine Elixir practitioner from the Upper Clarity School of Stone Medicine. The founder, Sarah Thomas, LAc, an acupuncturist and educator studied with Jeffrey C. Yuen, 88th generation priest of the Jade Purity Lineage. Additionally, I am supported by the work of Leslie J. Franks LMT, who has practiced Asian bodywork since 1990 and has also studied with Jeffrey C. Yuen since 1995 and is the author of Stone Medicine, a Chinese Medical Guide to Healing with Gems and Minerals.

I make bespoke Stone Elixirs for my clients to support them in their healing journey as well as a number of mists and ritual oils to support seasonal and energetic harmony. These can b e purchased directly through my apothecary, or in person at the Freshwater Wellness Centre's shop.

If this resonates, you might also enjoy exploring how the body holds emotional patterns, or experience this work through Qigong or energy healing.