CHAPTER 1
The Stones of Heaven
"You shouldn't get involved in those crystals! They are evil." Someone very close to me said. Wow! Really? Last time I checked, God created the world and everything in it, including a vast array of beautiful stones and crystals. Do you really think they are evil? Or are they for the sole purpose of decorating ourselves with jewelry, or for making tools with? Well, yes, they are good for those things, but God also gave us stones to heal with.
Everything is made of energy, constantly moving energy. Each stone has its own vibration or frequency that resonates and communicates with the rest of its surroundings. God made gems, and found them worthy of a home in the throne room of Heaven. So if they are good enough for God, they should be of some value to us, yes? If you have read the book "Heaven is For Real", the little boy who has gone to Heaven and come back describes the stones in the walls.
Revelation 21: 18-20 talks about the structure of the New Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven ...
• "The wall was constructed of Jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the city wall were decorated with every precious stone; the first course of stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, then tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates made from a single pearl; and the street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass.
Let's look at the healing properties of just these stones for now. Jasper is a trigonal microcrystalline aggregate made up of silicon dioxide. It is a form of quartz whose name in Greek means "spotted stone." It is found in Egypt, Australia, Brazil, India, Canada, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Russia, Uruguay and the United States. Native Americans believe that jasper generates feelings of unity with life and is useful against nausea. In the middle ages, jasper was used as a protection against the bites of snakes and other venomous animals, and against the effects of the poison. (Is it possible that some of the minerals in solution helped the body fight off the toxins? I don't know, but it would be interesting to find out). There are many, many types of jasper, and each has its own unique healing qualities. In general, jasper is a stabilizer. Its vibrations are so stable that they tend to settle a person's energies, and help them to be more balanced and down to earth. If it is worn in jewelry, or placed in ones daily environment, it has a slow, but lasting effect that leads to good health.
Sapphire is a very hard stone that comes in many colors, the most common of which is blue. The rich blue color comes from impurities of iron and titanium oxides within the crystal matrix. The Native Americans believe that this stone enhances prayer and meditation and can stimulate intense states of devotion. (A very fitting stone for God's house!) It is used to counteract deteriorating vision and sight problems when applied as eye drops. (These are made from crystal infusions – the vibration and energy of the stone is infused into the energy of pure water – a little quantum physics – to make the eye drops) Sapphire's vibration is also good for problems involving the ears, nose, throat and lungs. Sapphire has a calming and cooling effect on the body. It is also said to be effective against anxiety.
Chalcedony is a bluish-white and gray stone that is dull and porous, so it can be dyed. In ancient times it was used to make cameos and is used in arts and crafts today for necklaces and rings. (Ok – so it is used for jewelry!) It is seen as a component of many composite stones. This one is considered good for counselors because it helps the client to express what is hidden in the subconscious. Medicinally is has been used for throat, and voice problems.
Emeralds are a deep green form of beryl. Its name comes from the Greek "smaragdos" which means green stone. It is made up of hexagonal prisms and has been found in large deposits in Columbia. It strengthens the heart and blood systems. It will regenerate tired nerves and balance the level of glucose in the blood. It helps to speed cleansing and purifying processes. It is considered a good meditation stone. Throughout history, emerald has been associated with honesty, truth and holiness. Emerald is used to heal imbalances and diseases of the heart.
Sardonyx is a member of the chalcedony family with its most famous type being black onyx. Black is a color of protection (which is probably why clergy wear it). It is considered a stone of inner strength, and is used to help regain strength and vitality after a serious illness. It is very grounding and is often used in meditation with high-energy stones to give a sense of balance. It helps to teach self-control. White onyx can help to lessen headache symptoms and is good for the eyes, especially the optic nerve.
Carnelian, also a form of chalcedony, gets its coral color from iron. It is found mainly in Brazil, India, Arabia, and Egypt & Uruguay. Native Americans use it for clearing the mind and improving concentration. It must be worn very near to the area that you want to treat. Carnelian is warming and will encourage the natural healing ability of the body. It helps to restore energy flow where there is inflammation and stiffness. (I need a pair of kneepads made out of this stuff!) Some say that it is a good stone for detoxing from alcohol and other drugs. It helps to purify and sanctify the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Chrysolite, also called Peridot, gets its name from the Arabic word "faridat" which means gem. It is found in many places around the globe. It was brought to Central Europe by the crusaders in the Middle Ages to be used for sacred purposes. Native Americans have used it to counteract influenza, depression, obesity, constipation, ulcers, diabetes, prostate problems and anxiety. Many references state that it is good for the heart and heart related issues. It is said to act as a powerful catalyst to make a remedy of any kind work better.
Precious Beryl refers to all colors of beryl except for emerald and aquamarine. It is a hard stone made up of hexagonal prisms. It is said to have a good effect on the immune system.
Topaz comes in many colors with the most valuable being pinkish-red. Native Americans believe that it is good for the eyes, the nervous system and the intellect in general. It is called the stone of invisibility because if it is carried in the left hand, one can pass through an area undetected. Golden Topaz is used for urinary & kidney imbalances. Blue Topaz is used to calm migraines, treat overactive thyroid and other conditions in the neck & throat area. Clear topaz can strengthen hair and fingernails.
Chrysoprase, the most valuable stone in the chalcedony group gets its beautiful green color from nickel. Native Americans use it to treat cases of neurosis, psychosis and schizophrenia believing that it works on the optic nerve to stimulate the brain in order to regain contact with reality. Chrysoprase supports general healing and regeneration and it particularly good for recuperation from any degenerative disease. It is associated with abundant energy and love of the Divine.
Hyacinth (not the flower, but the stone) is what we now know as Zircon. It comes in yellow, yellow-red and red-brown colors. It helps to clear the body of toxins and stress. It supports the adrenal glands. (This is certainly a stone that we could be using now, as many of us are stressed out and have exhausted adrenals.) It is also good for helping with the eliminating alcohol, tobacco and caffeine from the body.
Amethyst, one of my personal favorites, it's a beautiful lavender to deep purple stone made of hexagonal prisms. It is professed by many cultures to be a cure for drunkenness. Placing it under the tongue helps to break many addictions. It was a favorite gemstone of high officials of the Christian church. Amethyst has been used for centuries as a protection stone because it repels more than it attracts. It needs to be cleansed often when used for this purpose. It is considered an "all purpose" or universal healing stone because it balances all the systems of the body. It aids in oxygenation of the blood and is good in nervous disorders. I personally use it to help with pain control. Just holding it in my hands makes me feel better.
Last, but certainly not least are the gates made of pearl. Although they are very soft, their structure is very dense, making them hard to crush. It is the most feminine of all stones, and it is rare to see a man wearing one. Pearl is thought to be one of the best stabilizers of the emotions. Traditionally, pearls have been given to adolescent girls by their parents, to protect their purity.
The Abbess Hildegard von Bingen discusses 24 gemstones and their medicinal uses in her book, "Physica". According to her, stones possess the powers of fire and water as well as God's influence, which makes them a blessing for that which is honorable and useful.
So how do we make use of these healing stones? Well, wearing them is the easiest and least controversial way to use stones. By putting them in jewelry and wearing them, their energy is close to us, and helps us to heal. Another simple way to benefit from the energy of stones is to decorate your house with them. I recently met an older woman at a Holistic Health Fair who had an entire room dedicated to crystals, with a giant rose quarts stone in the middle of the room. I hope to visit her soon and experience it for myself, but I bet that the room has a really calm and peaceful feeling to it.
Crystal infusions taken orally are another way to get the properties of the stones working for us. It is best if, a practitioner makes these, but there are instructions for making them in The American Indian Secrets of Crystal Healing by Luc Bourgault.
Another way that they are used is in energy work as a crystal layout. The practitioner places stones that are relevant to your issues on different areas of the body including the seven chakras. (Oh no! She is talking about Eastern Religion already!) The chakras are the energy super highway through our body. You will often hear someone speak of having a blockage in a certain chakra that is preventing healing. Clearing chakras is one of the easiest things I have learned to do. It is sometimes a strange feeling experience when you have it done to you. I almost always get dizzy when someone tries to clear my head chakra. It is already wide open, so it feels like someone is stirring up a small tornado in my head. Enough about chakras ... Once the practitioner has placed the stones, he or she then uses a form of meditative prayer to focus the energy of the stones and connect their energies together to work as one. Crystal layouts are often used for manifesting something. In this case we are manifesting health or healing.
We, and our modern medicine have forgotten so many of the basic gifts that God has given us. Our non-Christian brothers and sisters remember and still use stones and crystals to benefit healing. And so, perhaps we should consider these gifts from God as our friends and helpers on our road to health.
CHAPTER 2
A Dozen Biblical Herbs
Last chapter we discussed the healing qualities of 12 stones found in the book of Revelation in the bible. So this chapter we will talk about 12 herbs found in scripture and their medicinal uses. Exodus 16:31 mentions coriander seed when the author describes manna.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) - is a great stomach tonic, and is good for your heart. Adding coriander to your food helps you expel gas and sooths stomach cramps. You can take it in an extract form, or just add the seeds to your salad. It has a distinctive taste though, so you might want to just use the extract (unless of course you like the taste, and then go for it! There is nothing better for you than a seed mixture to crunch on. My husband hates curry, so this would not be an option for him.) Coriander with bread and barley meal was used in the old days as a remedy for St. Anthony's Fire. It is believed that this plus the intercession of St. Anthony would provide a cure. Coriander is also good for arthritis and neuropathy, probably due to its antispasmodic qualities. It is especially useful in the treatment of Diabetes because it increases the activity of the pancreas and the levels of insulin in the blood. It works to lower blood sugar. It is used in aromatherapy for digestive problems, so if you can't stomach the taste, perhaps inhaling it will give you the same benefits as adding it to your food.
• For painful, itchy eyes, make an infusion of the ground seeds and soak a washcloth in the tea while it is still very warm. Use this as a compress on your closed eyes to relieve the pain and itching. It can also be used as an eyewash, but make sure that you strain the tea with several layers of cheesecloth to make sure that you are not putting any particles in your eyes.
• For coughs, the ground seeds can be mixed with honey and taken by the teaspoonful. This is a very effective cough suppressant.
Cumin, Dill and Mint are mentioned in Matthew 23:23, although not in a curative sense. Still, since they are named, let's talk about them. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is one of the main ingredients in curry, and is another anti-gas herb! It is often confused with Caraway, and Anise is also called "sweet cumin" which is an entirely different plant. It is a stimulant and an antispasmodic. It is good for new mothers to help increase milk production as well as helping the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size. Externally, cumin can be used in a poultice, or rub to increase circulation and bring heat to the area. (Good for an aching muscle!) Cumin has also been reported to lower blood sugar levels for diabetics, and has anti-epileptic, anti-tumor and antimicrobial properties. This is another good seed to put in our seed mix for health!
Sleepy Time Immune Booster Tea
3 cups water
1-teaspoon cumin seeds
1-teaspoon raw honey
½ lemon juiced
¼ teaspoon turmeric
Combine water, cumin seed and
turmeric. Bring to boil, reduce heat
and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain. To
the liquid add lemon juice and honey.
Enjoy at bedtime for a good sleep and
a boost to your immune system!
Dill (Anethum graveolens) – who doesn't LOVE dill? My very favorite pickles are made with dill, so it always has a place in my garden. But again, God designed this little gem with many other uses. The seed of dill is what is used most in cooking and preserves, although the leaves can also be used fresh or dried. (Fresh is always better!) The seed can be added to our healthy seed mix because it, too, is great for your stomach and dispelling gas. The tea is not only good for colic, but also will help increase production of Mother's milk. If you boil the root, the decoction can be used for colds, flus and coughs. The "old folks" say that hanging a bunch over your door will protect your house against evil. It is both antispasmodic and antibacterial. Dill has been used for insomnia, dysentery, diarrhea, and upper respiratory diseases, to regulate the menstrual cycle and as an anti-cancer agent. The presence of essential oils in dill fights microbes in the mouth as well as damage to the gums and teeth caused by free radical compounds. That is why I include dill in my mouthwash recipe.
Herbal Mouthwash
This is an adult herbal mouthwash for
those who are not overly sensitive to
alcohol. Stuff a wide mouthed quart
sized canning jar with equal parts of
fresh dill, rosemary and spearmint.
Fill the jar to the top with vodka and
put the lid on it. Let the herbs steep
in the vodka for about a week and
strain. (You can leave the herbs in the
jar – it won't hurt your mouthwash)
You can rebottle your mouthwash
in pretty bottles for use. I like to
put a small sprig of each herb in the
bottle when I am making this as a
gift. It just looks pretty that way.
If you want a mouthwash without
the alcohol, make a tea from the
herbs, strain and store in your
refrigerator. It will last a few weeks in
the fridge. Make more as needed.
I am not sure which type of mint that St. Matthew was talking about, so we will consider Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Did you know that we grow more than 67,000 acres of peppermint in the United States every year? Not only is it a fabulous flavoring for tea, cookies and candies, peppermint are great for nausea and upset stomach. The menthol that comes from peppermint is used for upper respiratory problems, and is also very soothing as a rub for aching muscles. (See ... we are collecting our healthy seed mix, and formulating the perfect rub for aching muscles while examining some of the herbs mentioned in the bible. Is God great, or what?!?!)
