Minerals and crystals have been used for centuries to support health. A recipe for a ‘gem electuary’ paste was published in the 1470’s, becoming most popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth century and included finely powdered garnets, amber, emeralds and sapphires, together with ivory, red coral, pearls, musk and a range of herbal ingredients. It was prescribed for a range of conditions including headaches, fevers, breast cancer, plague, a cardiac tonic and was taken both internally and applied topically, (Duffin 2013).

Since the time of Hippocrates (ca. 460-370 BC), the Greek Physician, known as the ‘Father of Medicine’ the link between environmental exposure and health has been recognised. There was a development of ‘medical geology’ which is the study of either deficiency or excess of components within the environment that may have a positive or detrimental effect on health. It has been suggested that the interest in mineral and crystal therapy may link to this basic human awareness of the need for the necessary essential trace and major elements, usually acquired and assimilated in the body through diet and the air we breathe (Boulos and Le Blond 2016).
 

Crystals have now become an accepted part of an holistic approach to healing, supported by results of a survey assessing views of complementary therapy use of oncology professionals, including physicians (n=147), nurses (n=183) and social workers (n=219), which reported that all sectors were familiar with crystal healing therapy and 44% of the social workers indicated they would recommend/support this therapy (Hann et. al. 2004).