Charmstone

As healing stones or health stones or inorganic fossil substances, mainly minerals are referred to, is said to have a curative effect in diseases or to improve the well-being ( gemstone therapy; Lithotherapie ). These effects should be able to be achieved on the body after " cleaning " and " charging " of the healing stones by placing it on affected body parts, installation of larger stones, placing in water or creams or wearing. Scientific evidence of a therapeutic effect do not exist.

Alleged effect

In the opinion of esoteric healing stones work on their colors (see color therapy), their shape and the minerals contained in them to give people a.

The first written mention of the use of healing stones dating back to the Middle Ages ( De Lapidibus of Pseudo- Aristotle ). " Healing stones " were in the Middle Ages, however, more specific, eye-catching dolmen or stone monuments, to which pilgrimages seeking healing. Only in connection with the New Age wave, the belief in healing gems and precious stones has spread in the 20th century in the population. The stone application can be counted among the "energetic " methods of alternative medicine. The advice literature lists numerous minerals and their ascribed effects, mostly quartz varieties such as amethyst or onyx, as well as opal, malachite, hematite and many others.

Actual effect

There is no demonstrable causal or actual effect, but only the idea of ​​an effect. Scientific evidence of going beyond the placebo effect efficacy of healing stones do not exist.

Legal assessment of healing stones

The Hamburg Regional Court found in its judgment of 21 August 2008 ( Ref: 327 O 204/ 08) that the advertising of medicinal properties of stones and name them as " healing stones " unfair competition, even if the lack of scientific evidence healing effects are noted. The sentence was justified by the fact that there was no evidence of disease preventive or curative effect of the stones and such a designation would mislead potential customers.