The use of Gems in Tradtional Medicine
By Adam Tate, July, 2025
When I first looked at traditional western formulas, I was amazed to see Gem stones used in a number of formulas. Quite commonly, Pearl, Red Coral and Amber could be found. But some formulas even used the harder precious stones like Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire.
I was fascinated by their use, but also thought this was no longer practical, so it became no more than a curiosity. Nevertheless, in helped spur my interest in traditional formulas.
A few years later, I was in Northern India looking at Tibetan Medicine. Talking to Tibetan Doctors and other travellers that were there studying Tibetan Medicine, I several times heard mention of “Rin Chen”, or “Precious Pills”. They were held in high reverence by the Tibetans and were used for obstinate and otherwise incurable diseases. I quickly learned that these special pills contained a number of precious gems and metals, all of which must be properly prepared.
This again rekindled my interest in the gem-containing formulas of the West.
Many of the formulas that used gems in the West were inventions of Arabic and Middle Eastern practitioners. In particular, the Syrian Physician “Mesue” (latinised name of Masawaih) wrote a number of gem formulas in the 9th century.
The Traditional Medicine of the Middle East is called “Unani”, which means “Greek” in Arabic. Thus, Unani medicine as still used throughout the middle east and as far as India, is actually the Traditional Greek medicine, the same that was used in the West (Europe and Mediterranean) for most of the past 2000 years.
Today, in Unani medicine, versions of many of the traditional western formulas are still used, and this includes a number of traditional gem-containing compounds, some based on the formulas of Mesue.
Interestingly, the Tibetan gem-containing formulas first appear around 13th century, 400 years after Mesue wrote his gem formulas. It is therefore possible that Arabs introduced the use of gem medicines into Tibet, as there was communication between Arabs and Tibetans from early times.
Another interesting thing happened around the 9th century. The King of Tibet invited a number of physicians from neighbouring and far-off countries to come and translate medical texts from their own traditions. Chinese, Indian, Nepalese, Mongolian and others were invited. But there was also a Physician from the West (from somewhere in the Middle East, possibly Turkic) who brought the Greek Medicine with him, he being known as Galenos, possibly after the name of the medicine system he brought with him.
This is one of many points of intersection between the Western (Greek/Unani) medicine and Tibetan Medicine, and is possibly where the concept of gem medicines was shared.
Another point of interest is that the King of Tibet after having dealt with various physicians from various traditions was especially impressed with this western physician who was invited to stay as Court Physician to the King, and who reportedly married and stayed in Tibet.
It must also be noted that the Indian Science of Rasasatra, which is the science of preparing metals and minerals for internal use, also contains a number of gem medicines. Although, its roots go back further, it’s generally thought of as properly beginning around 8th century.
As far as their therapeutic effects, Gems are often used for their effect on the Spirit (that is, from a medical viewpoint, consciousness). They can calm the Spirit if restless, and some can help cheer the Spirit. Of course, individual stones have their own unique effects.
But also, the gems are especially associated with the planets in ancient traditions, and this is due to their color being associated with the corresponding color ascribed to the planets. Some traditional healers in India today use this correlation to correct bad aspects of the planets in a Natal chart, thereby endeavouring to correct an energetic imbalance responsible for disease or misfortune. I personally communicated with several such healers, one of which who was famous and had newspaper articles pinning his wall where he had cured severe diseases using this technique.
In conclusion, gem medicines, have been used in traditional medicine for more than a millennia, and are used in multiple systems. While the hard gems require special preparation to be safely consumed, the softer gems such as Coral, Amber and Pearl can be easily powdered and safely used. These were previously the most widely used gem stones and are the ones most practically used today.
I was fascinated by their use, but also thought this was no longer practical, so it became no more than a curiosity. Nevertheless, in helped spur my interest in traditional formulas.
A few years later, I was in Northern India looking at Tibetan Medicine. Talking to Tibetan Doctors and other travellers that were there studying Tibetan Medicine, I several times heard mention of “Rin Chen”, or “Precious Pills”. They were held in high reverence by the Tibetans and were used for obstinate and otherwise incurable diseases. I quickly learned that these special pills contained a number of precious gems and metals, all of which must be properly prepared.
This again rekindled my interest in the gem-containing formulas of the West.
Many of the formulas that used gems in the West were inventions of Arabic and Middle Eastern practitioners. In particular, the Syrian Physician “Mesue” (latinised name of Masawaih) wrote a number of gem formulas in the 9th century.
The Traditional Medicine of the Middle East is called “Unani”, which means “Greek” in Arabic. Thus, Unani medicine as still used throughout the middle east and as far as India, is actually the Traditional Greek medicine, the same that was used in the West (Europe and Mediterranean) for most of the past 2000 years.
Today, in Unani medicine, versions of many of the traditional western formulas are still used, and this includes a number of traditional gem-containing compounds, some based on the formulas of Mesue.
Interestingly, the Tibetan gem-containing formulas first appear around 13th century, 400 years after Mesue wrote his gem formulas. It is therefore possible that Arabs introduced the use of gem medicines into Tibet, as there was communication between Arabs and Tibetans from early times.
Another interesting thing happened around the 9th century. The King of Tibet invited a number of physicians from neighbouring and far-off countries to come and translate medical texts from their own traditions. Chinese, Indian, Nepalese, Mongolian and others were invited. But there was also a Physician from the West (from somewhere in the Middle East, possibly Turkic) who brought the Greek Medicine with him, he being known as Galenos, possibly after the name of the medicine system he brought with him.
This is one of many points of intersection between the Western (Greek/Unani) medicine and Tibetan Medicine, and is possibly where the concept of gem medicines was shared.
Another point of interest is that the King of Tibet after having dealt with various physicians from various traditions was especially impressed with this western physician who was invited to stay as Court Physician to the King, and who reportedly married and stayed in Tibet.
It must also be noted that the Indian Science of Rasasatra, which is the science of preparing metals and minerals for internal use, also contains a number of gem medicines. Although, its roots go back further, it’s generally thought of as properly beginning around 8th century.
As far as their therapeutic effects, Gems are often used for their effect on the Spirit (that is, from a medical viewpoint, consciousness). They can calm the Spirit if restless, and some can help cheer the Spirit. Of course, individual stones have their own unique effects.
But also, the gems are especially associated with the planets in ancient traditions, and this is due to their color being associated with the corresponding color ascribed to the planets. Some traditional healers in India today use this correlation to correct bad aspects of the planets in a Natal chart, thereby endeavouring to correct an energetic imbalance responsible for disease or misfortune. I personally communicated with several such healers, one of which who was famous and had newspaper articles pinning his wall where he had cured severe diseases using this technique.
In conclusion, gem medicines, have been used in traditional medicine for more than a millennia, and are used in multiple systems. While the hard gems require special preparation to be safely consumed, the softer gems such as Coral, Amber and Pearl can be easily powdered and safely used. These were previously the most widely used gem stones and are the ones most practically used today.
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