At Wild Ginger Apothecary, we are often asked which crystals we recommend for stress and anxiety.  My own interest in crystals began the day one of my close friends, Amanda, a crystal healer and very good listener, offered me a sea-foam green chunk of Fluorite after a particularly long venting session. “Take a chill pill!” she laughed.  Drawn to the soothing colors and curious about how to use it, I began my research and thus, a new interest in the healing powers of crystals emerged.

Contemporary society places a high value on academic and professional achievements and the “hustle and grind” attitude is resulting in our society suffering from the latest epidemic: Anxiety.  Unlike anti-anxiety medication, which only treats the symptoms, calming crystals will sooth your mind, body, and spirit - getting to the root of the problem. By combining the relaxing frequencies of certain crystals with yoga and meditation, you can begin to heal on all levels.  

While society may have very wrong-headed ideas about what constitutes success, we as a society are also beginning to acknowledge and understand that all things in the universe are forms of energy - with their own frequency and vibration.  Nikola Tesla proved how certain forms of energy can alter the vibrational resonance of other forms of energy. When the energy in our bodies and the energy in crystals occupy the same space, we can manipulate these frequencies to our benefit. This was something that ancient civilizations and societies already knew and ancient healers used that sacred knowledge to heal illnesses, balance chakras, and align the vibration of bodily cells - and crystals were some of the instruments they used.    

Crystals are by no means a new trend, though. Healers in Ancient Sumeria (which lead into Ancient Egypt) began using gemstones and crystals, such as lapis lazuli and turquoise, for health and protection as early as 6,000 B.C.  Amethyst translates to “not drunken” in Greek, which is exactly what the Greeks used it for - as an antidote to hangovers! The list goes on. 

You also may not even realize you’re already using crystals in your everyday devices! That LCD screen you’re reading this article on? Yup, that stands for “Liquid-Crystal Display.”  Silicon crystals are used in every single computer, tablet, and cellphone.  

I like to keep what I’ve dubbed my “Calming Kit” next to my bed so when I wake up in the middle of the night and my mind jumps to thoughts of bank accounts or recounts uncomfortable conversations, I can quickly use my crystals and meditation practices to calm myself.  We have a large collection of crystals for all types of healing at Wild Ginger, but if you’re looking for something to reach for when you feel a wave of panic or anxiety coming on - I’ve curated a list of essential crystals to add to your collection!

Amethyst

The Amethyst is the ultimate calming crystal and is considered the “All-Purpose Crystal.”  It can help you regulate mood swings, gain clarity, reduce stress, and also give you an extra dose of protection.  Or, be like the Greeks, and reach for your amethyst rock to rid yourself of that shame-spiral we sometimes experience during a bad hangover! I like to wear my amethyst necklace to keep it close at all times to absorb it’s healing frequencies, but I also keep chunks around my house to serve as visual reminders that things are going to be okay.

Rose Quartz 

Rose Quartz is the “self-love” crystal.  It promotes feelings of self-love and self-care and can help to clear out feelings of anger and negativity.  I like to carry rose quartz in my bra, close to my heart, not only because it’s the best crystal for your heart chakra, but also because I like to give it a tap several times a day as a reminder to be gentle with myself and bring me back to the present moment.  

Fluorite Fluorite is a stabilizing and grounding stone.  It’s useful for grounding (a therapeutic strategy that is designed to immediately connect you with the present moment).  It also absorbs and neutralizes negative energy and stress. I like to place fluorite over my third eye or on my crown chakra and then settle in to do a sensory countdown and connect myself to the present by asking:  What are four things I can physically feel? What are three things I can hear? Two things I can smell? One things I can taste right now?

My own personal ritual for “chilling out” using crystals is to begin by saging my body and space.  I then lay down and put the crystals on my body (I put Fluorite on my third eye, Rose Quartz on my heart chakra, Amethysts in my hands) and begin with my sensory countdown and then follow up with a guided meditation from my phone! By having your own ritual and knowing what works best for your own body, you will have created your own solution and strategy for healing yourself and now you know the tools to reach for when you feel that anxiety-wave hitting.  After all, as my friend the crystal expert says, “You are your own healer!”  

Stop by Wild Ginger Apothecary to peruse our vast collection and BUILD YOUR OWN KIT! 

Lindsay Richards is a WGA Staff Member. You can find her in the store or at numerous events throughout the month! Connect with her at lindsay@wildgingerapothecary.com or in-store. (Maya, Lindsay’s dog, is shown with her 3 most trusted calming crystals.)