Life crystals, a peculiar crystal formation discovered within the Rafa system, were believed by many to provide health benefits when carried nearby. These crystals were extracted from trees exclusively located in Life-orchards, and their harvesting required manual labor, a task assigned to less intellectually gifted local humanoids and off-world criminals. The trees, however, were actually a mechanism designed to diminish the intelligence of the general populace, serving as a safeguard against the potential overthrow of the Sharu civilization.
This process gradually diminished the intellect of the legendary Sharu, transforming them into the Toka. When Lando Calrissian and Vuffi Raa located the Mindharp of Sharu, the Toka's lost intelligence was revived, reverting them to their original Sharu form. This event also resulted in the destruction of the Life Gardens, effectively halting all life-crystal production.
Prior to the Republic's collapse, life crystals commanded a price of approximately five thousand credits; however, following the Republic's demise, they became scarce and could only be acquired on the black market at extremely inflated costs.