Most
precious and semiprecious stones and jewels have, since days
of antiquity, been
associated with healing.Though
many jewels and stones are not used in medicine in physical sense,
as they were in
ancientand
medieval times, they have retained their power, through the centuries,
to heal in the deeply mystical way known to
the healers of old. The medicinal use of precious stones may be traced
back to very ancient times. It has been conjectured that thier
employment for such purposes was introduced to Europe from India,
whence many of the stones were derived. Either the colour or the constitution
of the stone originally indicated its use for this or that disease. That
gems or stones, when applied to the body, exert an action upon it is well
proven by the experience of many persons, that any one who doubts this
must be called over-bold. We have proof of this power in the Carnelian,
Hematite and the Jasper, all of which when applied, check haemorrhage.
It may also be possible that many virtues not possessed by gems are falsely
ascribed to them.
A distinction is often made between the talismanic qualities of precious stones
for the cure or prevention of diseases and the medical use of them as mineral
substances. In the former case the effect was attained by merely wearing them
on the person, while in the later case they were reduced to a power, which was
dissolved as far as possible in water or some other liquid and then taken internally.
As, however, the end to be attained is the same whether the stone be worn or
taken internally as a powder or liquid, it seems more logical to treat both these
methods of therapeutic use together. The belief in the curative properties of
precious stones was at one time universal among all those whom gems were known.
When we read today of the various ills that were supposed to be cured by the
use of these gems, we find it difficult to understand what process of thought
could have suggested the idea of employing such ineffectual remedies. It is true
that the constituents of certain stones can be absorbed by the human body and
have a definite effect upon it, but the greater part of the elements are so combined
that they cannot be assimilated, and they pass through the system without producing
any apparent effect.
In ancient and medieval times, however, other than chemical agencies were supposed
to be efficient in the cure of diseases and the primitive animistic conception
of disease, long held sway among those who practised the medical art. Remedies
were prized because of their rarity, and also because it was believed that certain
spiritual or planetary influences had aided in their production and were Iatent
in them.
The
love of precious stones is deeply implanted in the human heart
and the cause
of this must be sought not only in their colouring and brilliancy
but also in their durability. The sheen and colouration of precious
stones are the same today as they were thousands of years ago and will
be for thousands
of years to come. In a world
of change the permanence has a charm of its own that was early
appreciated.Gems have been used at different times and among different
peoples, in various ways and some of the curious ideas and fancies
have gathered around them. Many of these strange ideas may seem strange
enough to us now. The influence exerted by precious stones was assumed
in medieval times without question. Auto-suggestion may also afford
an explanation that is mysterious in the effects attributed to precious
stones, for if the wearer be firmly convinced that the gem he is
wearing produces certain results, this conviction will impress itself
upon his thought and hence upon his very organism. He will really
experience the influence, and the effects will manifest themselves
just as powerfully as though they were caused by vibrations or emanations
from the material body of the stones.