The Healing Power of Tourmaline: A Historical Perspective

Throughout history, gemstones have captivated humanity not just for their beauty, but for their purported healing qualities. Tourmaline, a semi-precious gemstone, stands out with a rainbow of colors each believed to hold distinct therapeutic properties. From ancient magicians to modern therapists, the allure of tourmaline's benefits has spanned cultures and eras. This article delves into the mystical world of tourmaline, examining its significance and multifaceted role in emotional and mental healing. It ventures through the geological journey of tourmaline's formation, the kaleidoscope of its types, and its historical reverence, offering a captivating narrative on this enigmatic mineral's enduring legacy. Last, but not least, we explore its purpose in the Richway Biomat. Join us in exploring the healing power of tourmaline from a historical lens, illuminating the connections between the natural world and human wellbeing across the sands of time.

What is Tourmaline?

Tourmaline is a common mineral, a silicate belonging to a group characterized by their wide range of colors, caused by various metallic ions such as iron, magnesium, or lithium. It is renowned not only for its beauty, which makes it an excellent stone for jewelry but also for its purported metaphysical properties that have been recognized for centuries. Tourmaline can be found crystallized in pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, and in some hydrothermal veins, with significant deposits being discovered in places like San Diego County, Sri Lanka, and Brazil. Undeniably versatile, tourmaline offers more than just aesthetic appeal; it is also a cornerstone in the realm of healing crystals.

The very name tourmaline comes from "toramalli," which means mixed colorprecious stone in Sinhalese, a language of Sri Lanka, where significant deposits were found. It's a silicate mineral, which due to its complex chemical composition, can display a spectrum ranging from black to bluish-black, dark brown, yellow, medium brown, blue to neon blue, lime to dark forest green, red and reddish purple, yellow, pink, and colorless.

Meaning and significance of tourmaline

Tourmaline has long been associated with its healing powers. Ancient civilizations regarded it as a protective stone that could deflect negative energy and transform it into positive energy. Its significance extends across various cultures, including Native American societies that cherished it for its healing properties. Black tourmaline, in particular, is touted for its grounding influence, anchoring it to the foundation of the root chakra and thereby offering security and stability. Heart chakras, on the other hand, are nourished by the likes of Green Tourmaline or watermelon tourmaline, which foster compassion and emotional well-being. Tourmaline's vibrant spectrum of colors and forms signifies a diverse array of metaphysical attributes, each color bestowing a unique resonance that can be harnessed for a variety of spiritual, physical, and emotional therapies.

Geological formation of tourmaline

Tourmaline forms in a wide variety of geological environments, chiefly in pegmatite and metamorphic rocks. These silicate minerals crystallize from magma in the final stages of its cooling, also developing in the spaces of pre-existing rocks due to hydrothermal activity. Minerals present in the surrounding environment will influence the composition of tourmaline, resulting in the extensive color range seen in these minerals. The chemical processes and conditions of the host rocks contribute to the creation of the different types of tourmaline, with specific regions producing unique variations of the stone synonymous with that area, intrinsically recording geological information about the location within its crystalline structure.

Different types of tourmaline

Tourmaline's vast color spectrum is home to a constellation of types, each with its healing properties and aesthetic quality. Here are some notable specimens:

• Black Tourmaline (Schorl): Perhaps the most well-known throughout history for its grounding and protective properties. Today it is recognized as the most powerful emitter of negative ions, which are negatively charged ions that purify the air we breathe.
• Green Tourmaline: Associated with life force and vitality.
• Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite): Believed to aid communication and emotional balance.
• Pink Tourmaline: Connected with love and matters of the heart.
• Watermelon Tourmaline: A mixed color tourmaline with green and pink hues, fostering emotional health.
• Elbaite Tourmalines: Encompasses a variety of richly colored stones including the aforementioned types.

This wonderful crystal is not only considered a protective stone but also a source of rejuvenation and alignment. Whether it’s as a piece of jewelry or a raw crystal, increasingly, people seek tourmaline for its mix of aesthetic delight and myriad healing properties.

For the purposes of this article, we will focus on black tourmaline.

Meaning and significance of tourmaline

Tourmaline, a silicate mineral that encompasses a plethora of colors, holds significant meaning and has found its way into various cultures as a stone of healing and protection. Ancient civilizations revered it for its metaphysical properties; it was believed to foster healing and ward off negative energy. Native American tribes used it in rituals and healing practices.

Black Tourmaline, an excellent stone for grounding, is lauded for its capacity to transmute negative energy into positive. Additionally, it is associated with the root chakra, highlighting its importance in promoting security and stability.

Emotional and Mental Healing Properties

Tourmaline, with its wide array of colors and forms, is lauded as a formidable ally in the domain of emotional and mental healing. Whether worn as a piece of jewelry or kept as a tactile stone, the different hues of Tourmaline resonate with various facets of the human mind and spirit. This remarkable mineral is believed to help soothe and release emotional wounds, foster positive attitudes, and reinforce the connections between the emotional and physical bodies. Merge this with the stone's capacity to cleanse and rebalance the chakras, and it becomes abundantly clear that Tourmaline bridges the gap between the heart and mind, allowing for a coherent, harmonious state of being.

Black Tourmaline

Black Tourmaline, also recognized as Schorl, stands out as an excellent stone for protection. Its significance in emotional and mental healing is primarily tied to its ability to absorb and transmute negative energy into positive force. This strong protective stone is deeply connected to the root chakra, ensuring a solid emotional foundation by imparting feelings of confidence and empowerment. By shielding the wearer from external negativity, Black Tourmaline's healing properties support a clear, calm mind free from the turmoil caused by fear and anxiety.

Each type of Tourmaline serves a special purpose in the grand tapestry of emotional and mental healing, making these minerals a vital component of any holistic healing approach. Whether through direct contact or passive exposure, these stones can be instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to overall well-being and emotional resilience.

Black tourmaline is primarily found in regions such as San Diego County, Brazil, and Africa. Rich in iron, which lends it the deep black color, black tourmaline is highly sought after in healing and metaphysical communities. It is celebrated for its potent grounding and protective properties, acting as a guardian against negative energy and a powerful ally for the root chakra. Ancient civilizations and cultures even employed the protective stone, including the Native American and African shamans, who utilized it for healing and as a talisman against negative spells.

The History of Tourmaline

Ancient civilizations and tourmaline

Ancient civilizations recognized the value of tourmaline and employed it in their daily lives and rituals. In ancient Egypt, legends told of tourmaline passing through a rainbow on its ascent from the center of the Earth, which is why it came to be called the "gemstone of the rainbow." Elders in these societies wore tourmaline ornaments and included them in ceremonies for their ability to inspire artistic expression and garner inspiration from the higher realms.

Moreover, the magicians of ancient times in the Mediterranean region revered black tourmaline for its protective powers and used it to guard against negativity. Similarly, the Native Americans in pre-Colonial times used tourmaline in spiritual practices, while African shamans incorporated it into healing and protective rituals. In the East, tourmaline was a talisman that brought insight and it was considered to keep the digestive system healthy.

Tourmaline in jewelry and talismans

The aesthetic appeal of tourmaline has never been in question, which made its transitional use in jewelry and talismans almost inevitable. Varying cultures around the world cut these gemstones into beautiful shapes and fitted them into pieces of jewelry. During the medieval period, tourmaline was revered not only as a gemstone for crafting jewelry but also as a talisman to protect its wearer against misfortune and as an aphrodisiac to attract and foster love.

The rich variety, from the deep greens to the affluent blues, and notably, the distinctive watermelon tourmaline, with its magnetic tri-color layers reminiscent of the fruit, were all highly sought after. Royals and aristocrats adorned themselves with these precious stones for their beauty and to serve as protective amulets.

Modern uses of tourmaline

In modern times, tourmaline continues to hold a dominant stance within the realm of metaphysical practices and holistic healing. Black tourmaline is particularly well-regarded as a grounding stone, offering strong protection against electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) and environmental pollutants. It resonates powerfully with the root chakra, encouraging a sense of security and physical well-being.

Tourmaline also found a niche in the technology sector, specifically in pressure-measuring equipment due to its piezoelectric and thermoelectric properties. Additionally, they remain a staple in modern jewelry-making. Green Tourmaline and Pink Tourmaline, aligning with the heart chakras, are sought after for their ability to foster emotional healing. Whether as an elegant piece of jewelry or a standby for the spiritually attuned, tourmaline still plays a versatile and vital role in contemporary wellness and fashion spaces.

From its historical stature as a sacred stone to its current prominence as both a healing crystal and an adornment, tourmaline's legacy is both remarkable and enduring. In areas such as San Diego County, collectors still search passionately for Elbaite Tourmalines, which are considered among the world's finest, further underscoring the unabated appeal of this multi-faceted mineral.

• Electricity Generation: Tourmaline is unique due to its pyroelectric property, which means it can generate an electrical charge when heated. This characteristic has led to research into its potential for pressure-induced electricity generation, presenting opportunities in the field of alternative energy and environmental technology.
• Water Purification: Studies have indicated that tourmaline can improve water quality due to its ability to release negative ions and far-infrared rays. This aspect is being explored for use in water filters and purification systems.
• Jewelry and Decor: With its pleasing aesthetic and a wide range of colors – from black tourmaline to watermelon tourmaline and blue tourmaline – it continues to be an excellent stone for jewelry. Craftsmen also use it as an ornamental stone for larger decorative pieces.
• Technology: The piezoelectric properties of tourmaline are utilized in pressure measuring devices and as a component in specialized high-tech equipment.

Modern Therapeutic Uses of Tourmaline

Despite a lack of scientific consensus, tourmaline is still championed in alternative medicine for its purported metaphysical healing properties. It is offered by practitioners for enhancing positive energy and combating negative influences, aligning with the root and heart chakras, especially the black tourmaline variety.

However, modern science has found ways in which tourmaline can benefit health that are now proven.

Like many gemstones, tourmaline emits far infrared radiation. When heated, this radiation is amplified. Just about every gemstone has been tested for its emission rate of far infrared light waves and amethyst has been found to be the strongest emitter of infrared light, but tourmaline is also a strong emitter.

More importantly, tourmaline is the strongest emitter of negative ions, which are negatively charged ions in the air we breathe. Negative ions purify the air around us and the degree to which air is polluted can be directly linked to the amount of negative ions in the air.

Tourmaline: The Great Producer of Negative Ions

When we go to the beach or to the mountains, when we are near a waterfall or in the area of a lightning strike, and we take a deep breath, the phrase, "Smell that fresh air" has been common to hear. That's because we are literally smelling the abundance of negative ions in the air.

Pollution kills negative ions. In urban areas we speak of the poor air quality because there is a depletion of negative ions.

Negative ions are also the gatekeepers when it comes to the cell membrane. Every living cell in the human body has a cell membrane that is responsible for only opening for certain purposes like communication with other cells, for nutrients to enter to nourish the cell, or for allowing waste to be expelled from the cell. Cell membranes need negative ions to open. The more negative ions in the body, the faster cell communication takes place, waste is discarded, and the quicker the cell is nourished. So negative ions are necessary for cells to thrive.

The Richway Biomat for Far Infrared and Negative Ion Therapies

The Richway Biomat is a state-of-the-art, FDA-approved, medical device that employs tourmaline and amethyst to deliver far infrared heat and negative ions.

The Biomat is an infrared therapy mat that uses a panel heating system developed by NASA to warm channels of natural amethyst and tourmaline crystals. In doing so, it releases infrared heat into the body, while surrounding the user with negative ions to breathe.

Far infrared heat dilates blood vessels, increasing circulation and relaxing muscles, while negative ions oxygenate the blood and increase mental focus. The Biomat alleviates pain, relaxes muscles, improves the immune system, gives more restful sleep, and a whole host of other health benefits.

The FDA has approved the Biomat for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, stiffness, arthritis-related pain, muscle spasms, sprains, strains, muscular back pain, muscle relaxation, and temporary increase of local circulation.