midline of the body. Some claim they have been
relieved of symptoms of wounds, back pain, and
arthritis. There are at least 3000 crystal and gem-
stone substances that have been identified as hav-
ing specific properties and characteristics. For
example, amethyst may be worn or held during
meditation by a person who wishes to develop psy-
chic ability or become more spiritual. To relieve
stress caused by being unable to speak up about a
problem, one may hold a piece of turquoise or
aquamarine against his or her throat and concen-
trate on relaxing and freeing the mind of resent-
ment. Several crystals and stones have been
associated with certain glands in the body. Clear
quartz, for instance, may be placed on the fore-
head, chest, and solar plexus; in the palm of each
hand; and on the pubic bone during breathing
exercises or meditation to help clear energy block-
ages from the corresponding organs. Clear tourma-
line has been used for benefit to the immune
system, for general detoxification, and for eye and
nervous system disorders. Silver is said to balance
hormone levels, reduce lung and throat irritation,
and help resolve sexual dysfunction. Wearing peri-
dot is said to benefit the stomach and digestive
tract. As folklore, crystal and gemstone therapy
functions daily as part of the customs of our cul-
ture; for example, an engagement ring harks back
to the days when the ancients believed that wear-
ing or carrying talismans put one in tune with uni-
versal forces. Healers through the ages have used
substances from the Earth to connect with healing
power in conjunction with other relaxation and
visualization techniques.
Culpeper’s Herbal The seventeenth-century
British reference book by Nicholas Culpeper (also
spelled Culpepper), Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, pub-
lished by W. Foulsham and Co., lists herbs and
herbal remedies.
curanderismo A form of southwestern folk heal-
ing performed by a curandero, or most revered
healer, considered to have a gift from God. Curan-
deros,males or curanderas,females, may be con-
sulted for medical, emotional, social, supernatural,
and spiritual problems. The curanderoor curandera
uses herbs, rituals, water, candles, countermagic,
prayer, potions, hexing agents, Tarot cards, and
other methods and symbols of healing, depending
upon an individual’s problem. Curanderismo has
evolved throughout history—a practice particularly
popular among Hispanics and Mexicans in the
Southwest—derived from the ages during which
medicine, the church, and belief in the supernat-
ural were virtually interchangeable. Curanderosas
private consultants offer help to people with prob-
lems ranging from love relationships and financial
difficulties to illness and the effects of “black magic”
or “spells” cast by brujos(witches).cymatics A type of sound therapy developed by
the British physician and osteopath Peter Manners
in the 1960s. Dr. (Sir) Manners continues to work
in the field of cymatics and biomagnetics for med-
ical diagnosis and treatment. He holds the Dag
Hammerskjold Merit of Excellence Award for Ben-
efits to Humanity, and he has lectured at the World
Health Organization in Europe. The theory of
cymatics, derived from the Greek word kyma, or “a
great wave,” is based on specific sound frequencies
that emanate from the millions of body cells. A
healthy body’s sound frequency is stable, but in the
case of illness, the frequency is increased or upset
in some way. Practitioners of cymatics use
machines that operate on frequencies that reflect a
normal state to stimulate cells whose frequency
reflects an abnormality or distress. A cymatics prac-
titioner holds a pencil-sized or larger applicator
that is connected to an electromagnetic device
about the size of an attaché case. Through elec-
troids attached to the body, similar to electrocar-
diogram leads, the practitioner then directs the
sound frequencies to the distressed area of the
body. To treat a painful muscle, for example, the
frequency is supposed to correct the impaired fre-
quency causing the pain. Certain practitioners also
use “aquasonics,” which refers to sound frequen-
cies transmitted through water, or other techniques
in combination with cymatics to treat asthma,
arthritis, a stubborn virus, and various muscu-
loskeletal injuries and to relieve tension. Treat-
ments are painless and seem to lack any adverse
effects. Cymatic clinics are located in the United
States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, and other
parts of the world.32 Culpeper’s Herbal