Among the latest esoteric trends, one has been gaining serious momentum: lithotherapy. A growing number of people are surrounding themselves with stones and crystals, believed to bring wellbeing, protection and better health. But what should we make of lithotherapy? And more to the point, could crystals help us tackle everyday concerns like cellulite? Fact or fiction? We’ve looked into it for you. We cover what lithotherapy is and how it’s used, what researchers say compared with lithotherapists, the stones lithotherapists mention most often, and the everyday habits worth adopting alongside.
What is lithotherapy?
1- Definition
Lithotherapy, from the Greek lithos (stone) and therapeia (cure), is a pseudoscience claiming that stones and crystals, by virtue of their inherent qualities, could heal, soothe and/or protect. The principle is straightforward: each stone is associated with one or more aspects of physical and/or mental health. By “absorbing” the crystal, one is said to access better health and greater wellbeing.
The properties of each stone depend on:
- Their magnetism
- Their vibrational frequency
- Their composition – since stones are alloys of minerals
- Their colour – lithotherapy being closely linked to chromotherapy
2- Preparation
According to the principles of lithotherapy, stones should not be used as they are. To begin with, they must be chosen with care: origin, purity, shape, size. Next, the crystals must be cleansed before use. This involves submerging them in a glass of salted or distilled water, burying them in soil, or performing a fumigation using incense, purifying plants such as thyme or sage, or certain spices (cinnamon, cloves). After that, the stones must be “recharged”. Several methods exist: exposing the stones to sunlight or moonlight, or wrapping them in fabric alongside a carnelian or quartz, which are said to have the power to “recharge” other crystals.
3- How to use them
Once cleansed and recharged, stones can be used in a variety of ways:
- Simply placed nearby, depending on the intended purpose – under a pillow, on a bedside table, on a desk…
- Worn on the body – as jewellery, in a pocket…
- Placed on strategic points of the body, which often correspond to the chakras of Indian tradition or to the meridians of acupuncture.
- As an elixir – placing the stones in drinking water or in a massage oil.
Does lithotherapy really work on cellulite?
1- What science says…
According to lithotherapy enthusiasts, crystals are said to have the power to address physical and psychological ailments, as well as to protect the body and mind from external influences. Each stone is said to have its own specific properties. Yet the fact remains that no scientific study has ever validated this theory. This is precisely why lithotherapy is classified as a pseudoscience: a discipline that presents itself with a scientific veneer, but lacks both the methodology (the scientific method) and the recognition of a scientific community.
As a result, scientific authorities advise rejecting the principles of lithotherapy. This is the position of Christian Chopin, Research Director at the CNRS, who states clearly that the mineral world is defined by its inertia. Unlike the living world, it produces no energy — with the exception of radioactive minerals, which are highly hazardous to health. In his words, “there is no possible interaction between crystals and the human body.” In short: according to the scientific community, lithotherapy does not heal. By extension, the use of stones cannot in any way be considered a solution for cellulite. The only effect one might expect is a placebo effect — in other words, a self-suggestion of the stones’ efficacy.
2- What lithotherapists say…
Lithotherapy advocates argue that the virtues of stones have been recognised for millennia: in the Middle Ages, in ancient India, in Mongolia and Tibet… Their use later spread to the West in the 1970s, through New Age circles, before reaching a wider audience. The most vocal champion of lithotherapy is Reynald Georges Boschiero, an amateur mineralogist. He claims that the trace elements found in stones act as biocatalysts, capable of influencing our bodies. Furthermore (and still according to him), stones have a psychological effect, a placebo effect and a magnetic resonance capable of acting on our energy.
Stones are also said to:
- Address psychological concerns – anxiety, stress, lack of self-confidence…
- Encourage positive emotions – joy, optimism, vitality, wellbeing…
- Influence external factors – smoother communication, reconciliation, harmonising opinions…
- Ease physical discomforts – sleep, digestion, microcirculation…
What about cellulite? Lithotherapists associate certain stones with cellulite, and even with topics as varied as appetite or the hormonal system. It’s worth remembering that none of these claims is backed by any study.
Which stones do lithotherapists mention?
Everyone is free to make up their own mind about the supposed virtues of lithotherapy. That said, if you’re curious about the practice, here are the stones its followers mention most often in connection with cellulite. No study has ever backed up their claims. To name just a few:
1- Apatite
Whether blue, yellow or green, apatite is often mentioned by lithotherapists in connection with adipose cellulite or fibrous cellulite. Both types are closely linked to eating habits. Lithotherapists also bring it up alongside so-called ‘appetite suppressant’ foods, though no study has confirmed this. According to them, it can be worn as jewellery or used as an elixir.
2- Howlite
Howlite, a white stone marbled with grey, is mentioned by lithotherapists in connection with water retention, which is associated with aqueous cellulite. Once again, nothing supports these claims. According to them, you simply keep it nearby.
3- Moonstone
A stone widely used in jewellery for its lovely pearlescent sheen. Lithotherapists present it as a ‘feminine’ stone and mention it in connection with both the appearance of cellulite and bloating. These beliefs are in no way a substitute for a doctor’s advice. According to them, you simply wear it every day.
4- Magnesite
Magnesite is mentioned by lithotherapists in connection with all types of cellulite, once again without any evidence. According to them, it should be placed at the root chakra, at the base of the spine, or used as an elixir.
5- Rose quartz
Another stone often used in jewellery, as it’s commonly associated with love. Lithotherapists mention it in connection with the dimpled appearance of cellulite, without any evidence. According to them, you simply keep it close by every day. They sometimes pair it with rock crystal, a so-called ‘amplifying’ stone.
6- Seraphinite
A so-called ‘balancing’ stone that lithotherapists mention in connection with cellulite, again without any evidence. To find out what the word ‘detox’ really covers, read our article on detox. According to its followers, seraphinite should be worn close to the heart chakra, for example as a pendant.
Which habits should you adopt when it comes to cellulite?
Whether or not you use crystals, one thing is certain: cellulite is a natural phenomenon that affects the vast majority of women, and a healthy lifestyle remains the foundation. Several habits can support you day to day:
- A varied and balanced diet, low in sugar, salt and saturated fats.
- Regular physical activity, combining daily movement (walking, integrative exercise, active pursuits) with moderate-intensity sport sessions (water-based activities such as swimming or aqua aerobics, as well as cycling or fitness).
- Staying well hydrated, mainly with water, but also with herbal teas or tea. To round things off, discover our 3-in-1 Cellulite Drainer.
- Daily anti-cellulite massages using a cupping device, either manual, like our Classic Cupping Cup, or electric, like our Heated Electric Cupping Cup. Pair it with a massage oil, such as our iconic Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil.
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