Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the number-one healing crystal for allergies. It belongs to the family of beryls – ring silicates that contain aluminium and beryllium. Ring silicates reduce tension and improve the body’s energy flow, easing metabolic regulation and the operation of the immune system. In this respect, aluminium contributes to deacidification and the strengthening of one’s sense of identity, while beryllium helps to correct toxic and self- destructive processes on both a psychological and physical level. Aqua- marine’s colour promotes serenity and has a soothing and calming effect on bodily fluids and the processes that take place within them.
These various factors mean aquamarine is one of the prime healing crystals for allergies. It is renowned for its extraordinarily powerful effect on hay fever, but it is also very helpful for skin irritations, itching, sore eyes, many ailments of the airways, asthma, indigestion, food allergies, thyroid conditions and autoimmune diseases.
Aquamarine is also a tonic for the nerves and as such can help to relieve the stress and pressure that are often the psychological cause of allergies. If everything gets just too much for us, we can no longer take in and process certain stimuli and experiences (food allergies), when things ‘get up our nose’ (hay fever) or we react ‘allergically’ to things (exactly as the word implies), we have ‘rash responses’ (skin irritations) or our breath is ‘taken away’ (asthma). This can eventually result in complete collapse.
The roots of aquamarine’s deep-cleansing effect lie not only in the way it promotes the restoration of a healthy balance in bodily fluids (including lymph and tissue), but also in its ability to both strengthen and relax the mind and spirit. As a result, it is helpful for treating allergies, especially when they are aggravated by increased levels of stress and strain caused by the knowledge that things are being neglected or tasks are still out- standing. The external ‘spring clean’ that it promotes also encourages an inner cleansing.

Other healing crystals
Amethyst can bring additional relief to skin irritations, itching, tightness in the chest and bowel complaints in particular. It also relieves inner tension and promotes spiritual clarity, bringing inner peace.
Clear quartz has a cooling effect, strengthening the nerves and regulat- ing the body’s water balance, thereby providing effective relief for swollen mucous membranes, breathing difficulties and minor skin irritations. Using it with other healing crystals reinforces its effects.
Green aventurine quartz soothes inflammation and helps to treat skin irritation, serious itching, sunburn and sensitivity to sunlight. It also soothes nerves, relieves stress and improves sleep, thereby promoting relaxation and regeneration.
Uses
All of the healing crystals listed can be placed directly on the affected area (e. g. on itchy spots) or worn on the body (e. g. as a pendant or necklace). If actual contact with the crystal feels unpleasant, they can be used at a short distance from the body, such as under a pillow at night, in the pock- ets of clothes or attached to underclothes with adhesive bandage. Internal consumption as gem water or gem elixir is often more effective than exter- nal application. Aquamarine water in particular is often seen to have a powerful effect on advanced hay fever, for example. Applied externally, amethyst water provides considerable relief for rashes and other itching. See Uses, page 53, for more information.
Tip: Relieving stress and pressure, eating healthily, identifying food allergies (get yourself tested by a physician or an alternative practitioner), sleeping properly and regular detoxification are important in finding a lasting cure for allergies. Further information is available in Michael Gienger’s The Healing Crystal First Aid Manual, Earthdancer, Findhorn Press, 2006.