From Salt to Crystal: Understanding Where Holistic Trends Come From Story and Photos by Viviana Moreno
Society is no stranger to trends. From fashion to social media to food, trends define periods of life, whether for a week or a decade. Wellness trends are one sector of the trends cycle that reimagine ageold traditions. The origins of these trends are often obscure or forgotten along the way as they ebb and flow. However, many of the more recent wellness trends often have a deeply rooted history and have just been reclaimed in the name of self-care or been dug out of their caves and reintroduced to society. It is commonplace to spot items like salt lamps, crystals and oil diffusers in stores. As trends tend to do, the history of certain items and practices may become blurred in the commercial craze that often accompanies what is considered the “new thing,” but whether someone is purchasing a salt lamp for aesthetic reasons, there is still an origin story attached to it. With the emphasis on self-care practices, which often entail some form of holistic practice, it’s interesting to uncover just how deep the stories of some of these popular items and practices run.
Crystals These precious, and usually mesmerizingly beautiful, rocks are used as an alternative medical practice where the healing properties are believed to be encased in the crystal. These properties are harnessed to relieve someone of an ailment, ward off potential issues or tap into positive energy. According to Elizabeth Palermo’s reporting for Live Science, a science news outlet, the technicality of the practice involves “allowing positive, healing energy to flow into the body as negative, diseasecausing energy flows out.” The specific placement of certain crystals along the body may induce feelings of relaxation, concentration and overall well-being. While researchers have not concluded this to be fact and often attribute a placebo effect to be in play, individuals seek out crystal healing or use crystals because “their value may be in fulfilling the spirit” and some proponents can even be skeptics of the promised wellness benefits, as discussed in Caroline Tell’s report for The New York Times. The history of crystal healing is interesting, especially when considering the modern application of the practice. According to Kristine D. Carlos’ research titled “Crystal Healing Practices in the Western World and Beyond,” the origin of using crystals may trace back to “the mythical ancient continent of Atlantis whose people allegedly used crystals for telepathic communication.” Today’s modern application of 58 The Origins Is sue
crystal healing can be attributed to “Asian cultures, most notably the Chinese concept of life-energy (chi or qi) and the Hindu or Buddhist concept of chakras, which are vortices of this life-energy, said to connect the physical and supernatural elements of the body,” according to Palermo. Whether or not wearing crystal-laden jewelry or participating in crystal healing sessions truly reaps benefits, the history is just as intriguing as the crystals themselves.
Salt Lamps and Halotherapy (salt therapy) Although salt lamps are inviting just by design, they are also said to provide wellness benefits. According to Helen West’s reporting for Healthline, proponents claim the three main bennefits are improved air quality, boosted mood and better sleep. Described as “natural ionizers,” salt lamps may “produce ions by attracting water particles that evaporate off as a salt solution when heated by the lamp, forming mostly negative ions,” which are said to have health benefits. Megan Forcey, the president of Relax Salt Rooms in Gainesville, described the process of halotherapy (or salt therapy) as a “halogenerator grinds pharmaceutical salt to a fine dust that is dispersed into the room for you to inhale; the salt rooms are designed for relaxation so you will want to sit back in our zero-gravity chair and breathe deeply.” To add to the soothing ambiance, meditative music streams through the room along with the drip sounds of a small fountain. Salt therapy patients often seek to remedy respiratory and skin concerns — everything from asthma and allergies to psoriasis and eczema. In Gainesville, these conditions can be aggravated by the very nature of the area. As Ashley Upham Rothseiden, owner of The Healing House of Alachua explained, Alachua is a Native American word that translates to “big sink,” which means “pollen and
"The specific placement of certain crystals along the body may induce feelings of relaxation, concentration and overall well-being."
other allergens in the area tend to hang around and get stuck in our swampy lands here in the Gainesville area.” The history of practices involving salt in general dates back to ancient civilizations. However, salt therapy can be traced to Dr. Feliks Boczkowski, who opened the first salt treatment facility at the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland in 1839. As Upham noted, it’s important to understand that “over time other physicians had noticed similar responses to time in salt mines.”
Aromatherapy At-home oil diffusers can be used to invoke anything from energized spirits to calmness and relaxation, depending on the specific oils used. Whether someone uses an oil diffuser in their home or seeks aromatherapy sessions in a facility, this practice is also one dating back to civilizations throughout history. The International Federation of Aromatherapists asserts historical texts from Asia to Ancient Egypt “describe the various procedures and rituals involved
in the making of healing ointments, medicated oils, poultices and healing perfumes.” Regions around the globe practice some form of aromatherapy in various ways to positively affect one’s spirit, cure ailments or upholding religious traditions. What could be considered modern aromatherapy was coined by French chemist Dr. René-Maurice Gattefossé in 1937, according to "Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health" by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi. Inspired by Dr. Gattefossé’s work, French physician Dr. Jean Valnet used essential oils to treat the injuries of World War II soldiers. The ripple effect among physicians and those fascinated by the research and application further refined the practice. This has all led to today’s resurgence in using aromatherapy to treat various ailments and improve quality of life. In holistic and alternative wellness spheres, trends may morph and fade, but the practices are often rooted in deep history. Just like with most things that come around again and again, there is always an origin story waiting to be uncovered. The Origins Is sue 59
