Throughout the ages, various magical and healing properties have been associated with all sorts of crystals and rocks, both precious and semi-precious. Most often, the simple wearing of a gemstone provided the wearer with protection--anything from protection against evil or possession, to protection against ailments. Jade was believed to purify blood and cure foot complains. Jet could cure faintness. Bloodstone helped with bladder problems, gall stones and hemorrhoids. Amethyst prevented gout and was used with liver complaints and intoxication; it was believed to cure neuralgia, stomach disorders, toothaches and tumors and was used as an antidote to poison. And moonstone cured sterility and treated epilepsy and fever.
Agate
For 1600 years, beginning in ancient Roman times, agates were used medicinally. A tincture of powdered agate mixed with fruit juice was used to treat insanity, ulcers, boils and diseases affecting the spleen and kidneys. Agates also were used to stop hemorrhaging and combat epidemics of pestilence. Wearing agates was believed to protect the wearer from indigestion, lung problems and combat fears.
Although Arabian physicians of the day did not prescribe taking powdered agate internally, they did believe that a paste of powdered agate stopped gum bleeding.
Over the centuries, agate has been used to treat boils, chest and lung problems, epidemics, falling sickness, hemorrhaging, indigestion, insanity, insomnia, kidney problems, loose teeth, pestilence, sea sickness, tender gums, tired eyes, ulcers and vertigo.
Carnelian
As late as the 1660s, carnelian was considered a remedy for bleeding wounds. Drinking a powdered concoction was believed to generate overall good health. Also, people carried carnelian on their bodies to make them more cheerful and less fearful. The stone was believed to instill courage and defend the body against poison. As was often true, a lot of healing properties were suggested by the appearance of the stone itself. For instance, almost any yellow stone could be prescribed to treat jaundice. Over the centuries, carnelian has been used to treat bad tempers, chest and lung problems, hemorrhaging, loose teeth, loss of voice and tumors.
Garnet
According to William Rowland (a doctor of Physic in the 1600s), medicine prepared from a red garnet could stimulate the heart, reduce palpitations, improve blood circulation, filter out toxins and cure melancholy. The medicine was prepared by first heating the garnets, and then dissolving them in "Spirits of Salts." The solution was then mixed with oil of tartar and incorporated into a cream. Wearing red garnets was also thought to provide the same benefits, for example, heart stimulation, a cure for melancholy and so on. Over the centuries, garnets have been used to prevent drowning and treat fever, hemorrhaging, incontinence, melancholia, plagues, poisons, weak hearts and wounds. Yellow garnet was used to treat jaundice.
Lapis Lazuli
In the Ebers Papyrus, which dates back to about 1600 BC, there is a formula to cure cataracts made from lapis lazuli, milk and slime from the Nile. Ancient Egyptians, along with the Sumerians and Babylonians, credited the stone for relieving head pains and neuralgia. Over the centuries, lapis lazuli has been used as a blood purifier and to treat apoplexy, depression, eye complaints, headache, labor pains, melancholia, neuralgia, skin disorders and timidity.
Malachite
In the 17th century, malachite amulets were worn as a cure-all. The stone was believed to avert fainting spells and prevent hernias. When pulverized and mixed with milk, the stone was taken to reduce the pain of a heart attack and to cure colic. Powdered malachite was mixed with honey and plastered over a wound to stop blood flow. Mixed with wine, the stone was used as a cure for ulcers. Other claims report the stone's benefits include boosting health, especially in the stomach, head and kidneys. It also was said to prevent vertigo.
In ancient Egypt, physicians observed that slaves mining malachite were seemingly immune to the many plagues of cholera. It was from this observation that the practice of wearing a copper band to prevent rheumatism, asthma and colic arose. Over the centuries, malachite has been used to treat cholera, convulsions, insomnia, kidney problems, rheumatism and teething, and was prescribed for a weak heart.
Topaz
Epiphanius of Cyprus (AD 315-403) recommended collecting a milky fluid that he observed to come from the chrysolithos (topaz) as an antidote for rabies. Physicians in the 5th and 10th centuries claimed to have proved the validity of this treatment. Roman physicians treated skin ulcers by touching the ulcerated area with topaz. And in 1587, Jerome Cardan wrote that topaz could cure madness.
Over the centuries, topaz has been used to treat eye complaints, gout, hemorrhaging, hemorrhoids, jaundice (the yellow variety), melancholia, poisons, rabies, tired eyes, ulcers and vertigo.
Turquoise
In the 15th century, physicians used a potion containing powdered turquoise as an antidote to poison and scorpion stings. Placing a turquoise on inflamed or strained eyes was believed to soothe them. Also, wearing turquoise was thought to reveal its wearer's physical state; the stone paled when its wearer was ill, then returned to full color once the wearer recuperated.
Over the centuries, turquoise has to treat eye strain, falling sickness, poisons and demon possession.
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