Shungite: Crystal Healing Benefits

Healing with Shungite

Shungite is a relatively rare stone widely regarded in holistic and crystal healing circles for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Composed primarily of carbon and fullerenes, it's believed to neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Beyond its detoxifying qualities, shungite is often used as an antihistamine. However, there is currently no conclusive peer-reviewed evidence to support its use as an effective antihistamine in humans.

It's also claimed to help relieve various types of pain, including joint discomfort, muscle tension, and inflammation-related symptoms.

Shungite is regarded as a grounding and protective crystal used for physical and energetic healing.

Shungite’s Protective Properties

One of shungite’s best-known benefits is its ability to shield. Elite shungite, which can contain up to 98% carbon, is believed to protect against geopathic stress and electromagnetic fields (EMFs), making it popular with those looking to minimise exposure from electronic devices.

Shungite can be worn, carried, or placed on or near specific devices to enhance its protective effects.

Emotional and Physical Benefits

• Reduce stress and fatigue
• Support physical well-being
• Restore emotional balance

According to the late Judy Hall, author of The Crystal Bible, shungite absorbs negative energy. Therefore, it should be cleansed and charged regularly.

Shungite can be safely exposed to sunlight or be charged beneath a full moon.

Other benefits include clearing stagnant energy and helping to release repetitive patterns of behaviour. Shungite has also been used to help you let go of beliefs that no longer serve you.

Shungite can be used in meditation to cleanse the aura. Its healing properties bring clear vision and promote a positive attitude. It's often associated with encouraging a more positive outlook and a shift away from habitual negative thinking.

Types of Shungite

Elite shungite, which contains the highest percentage of carbon, is believed to possess the most powerful healing properties.

Unless a stone is labelled specifically as 'elite' shungite, it's likely to be shungite-bearing rock that may contain some amount of shungite. Exactly how much can vary from 5% to 60%.

It’s easy to be misled into buying this material, often marketed as black or grey shungite, with descriptions such as 'Genuine Shungite, Powerful Antioxidant Properties.'

Elite shungite, which contains 90 - 98% carbon, is particularly distinctive, making it relatively easy to identify.

Shungite-bearing rocks typically have a dull lustre and tend to be black or dark grey. They often have a rougher or grainier texture and are more solid and dense, which makes them heavier and less brittle. They're often highly polished, and impurities of other minerals may be visible. 

Elite shungite can be expensive because of where it's found and availability. The fact that it's widely used for healing purposes has further contributed to price rises. It's rarely tumbled, and because it's expensive, it's not usually used for decorative products such as pyramids, charging plates, hearts and spheres.

For many people who want shungite, whether for its metaphysical properties or decorative appeal, the carbon content isn't always a priority. Shungite-bearing rock is a natural material often chosen because it's within budget, more durable, or simply because elite shungite isn’t typically used for decorative items.

Colombian Shungite

A material from Colombia has recently appeared and is being marketed by some retailers as elite shungite.

Although its visual properties are almost identical, based on currently available geological evidence, it doesn’t appear to be the same material as elite shungite from Russia.

Due to this striking similarity and the fact that it’s considerably cheaper and far more accessible, there is a good possibility that it may enter the supply chain and be sold as elite shungite from Karelia. I personally believe this may have happened already. 

From our own research, it appears the Colombian material is most likely a different type of carbon-rich rock with a different chemical composition.

Most shungite comes from the original and largest deposit in Karelia, northwest Russia. Due to the current political situation, prices have increased significantly, and it's difficult for retailers to buy because of sanctions, which have led to high tariffs on many goods imported from Russia. 

Legends and later historical summaries suggest that Peter the Great may have bathed in and consumed water from shungite-rich springs and that a spa in Karelia (Martsialnye Vody) was established during his time. However, there is no reliable historical evidence linking him personally to shungite.

When using shungite as a healing crystal, it's important to keep an open mind. While there may be anecdotal evidence and personal experiences to support its healing ability, limited scientific evidence exists to back it up.