The Intriguing Tourmaline Gemstone
Posted on Sunday, 15 November 2015
The
Intriguing Tourmaline Gemstone
By Apolinario Villalobos
Although I believe in the healing power of
crystals and gemstones, I consider my experience with “tourmaline” as something
special, because I could not believe until now, that it happened to me.
More than two months ago, I helped an
elderly Chinese find his way to the condo of his son in Chinatown. I found him
wandering in Luneta park and I got curious when I observed him approaching
Chinese- looking sightseers. I took pity on him when except for seemingly
directions pointed to him by those he approached, nothing more was given to him,
such as a written note. He was about eighty years old. When I could no longer contain myself, I
approached him to offer my help, but spoke to him in English. As I was wearing
a pair of “ukay” shorts and faded t-shirt that time, he hesitated to talk to me,
until finally I asked him in Tagalog, “nawawala po ba kayo?” Surprisingly he
answered me in the same, but broken language. I found too, that he did not have
a cellphone with him, a very important gadget for a stranger to carry.
It took me some time to know what he really
wanted…the information on how to get back to where he came from, the condo of
his son in Chinatown which he left at dawn, to walk his way to Luneta. It’s a good
thing that he mentioned the name of a small mall that sells gold jewelries in
the vicinity of Chinatown which I used as reference point. From there, we
retraced, what he recalled as the way he took in going to Luneta without
seeking the permission of his son who, according to him was still asleep during
the time he left the condo. When we finally located the condo, the whole family
was already in a quandary and was about to report the incident to the police.
The above-mentioned effort made me the
owner of a bracelet of gemstones with varying shades, but dominated by green.
It was given to me by the Chinese elderly, actually, straight from his wrist. I
hesitated to accept it, but due to his insistence I gave in and wore it on my
right wrist. As the set stones were just of the size that I like, I did not
remove the bracelet even when I go to sleep. What I noticed was that more than
two months later, today, the nocturnal numbness of fingers in my right wrist
with the bracelet was gone! However, I still suffer the numbness of fingers on
my left hand. The numbness is caused by the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a
job-related disease due to my constant use of the typewriter before and the
computer today.
When a school mate, Dr. Boni Valdez and I
had a meeting, after more than twenty years, in passing he mentioned about a
certain healing gemstone called “tourmaline” which is popular today in Taipei
and just been recently introduced in Manila. That was all that I knew about the
stones, but my curiosity was triggered when I saw the photo of the rough
gemstone in the brochure that he gave. They looked like the stones in my
bracelet! My mistake was I did not ask the Chinese, what the stones were called
when he gave me the bracelet, thinking that they were just like the rest of the
gemstones that I see in the Chinese jewelry stores.
From inquiries that I made, I found out
that although, the gemstone is being introduced in the Philippines, the company
does not allow its sale in just any jewelry outlet, without the retailer or
local dealer undergoing a seminar where its qualities are explained to prevent
misconception and misunderstanding. That could be the reason why, I am finding
it hard to locate an outlet of such medicinal gemstone. Based on my further research,
the gem stone can help in reducing stress, perhaps, due to its effect in the
nerves. It can also help in reducing toxin elements in the body and improve
blood circulation. Generally, it is a nerve-strengthening stone. Aside from the
stones that can be set in jewelries, there are other products imbued with
powdered tourmaline that can be worn to facilitate its healing effect.
I just do not know if Dr. Boni Valdez, who
is based in Tacurong City, thought of sharing what he knows about the gemstone.
During our meeting, I recalled his mentioning about his sojourn to Taipei for
some kind of a traditional physical treatment which included the use of the
gemstone that I mentioned. Even after the treatment, he mentioned that his
Chinese “mentor” is regularly keeping tab of his health. If indeed his going to
Taipei was to undergo such traditional treatment, I could surmise that he
succeed, because he is today, an image of vigor and health without the unwanted
pounds, unlike years before, when he was practically bloating beyond the seams!
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