The Sanskrit word Chakra literally translates to wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body. Seven centres of spiritual power in the human body that go from the top of the head down the spine.
These swirling wheels of energy correspond to massive nerve centres in the body. Each of the seven main chakras contains bundles of nerves and major organs as well as our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being. Since everything is moving, it’s essential that our seven main chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. If there is a blockage, energy cannot flow.
The Muladara (Root Chakra) controls the adrenal glands, kidneys, spine and the whole of the nervous system. It promotes physical survival, vitality, stability, patience, courage and material success. Warming and grounding oils that are stimulating such as Red Thyme can be useful. Basil is self-empowering, tonic to nervous system, bracing and warming but comforting.
The Swadhistana (Sacral Chakra) promotes physical force, vitality and strength and it generates creativity, new ideas, passion, endurance and sexual energy. Ylang Ylang and Jasmine both act as an aphrodisiac to aid in our sexual and reproductive energies while they are also sedative which allows the mind to relax and clear to explore new ideas.
The Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra) promotes confidence, humour, personal power, authority, laughter and warmth. It gives us our sense of identity and personality. Lemon is a happy oil, good for mental clarity, supports the immune system and promotes stamina or you can use cinnamon to help heat up this power centre, or peppermint to cool any excess fire in the system.
The Anahata (Heart Chakra) holds our emotional centre and promotes compassion, love, understanding, sharing and forgiveness. It controls the thymus gland, heart, blood pressure, & circulation. Rose is a tonic of the heart, it calms yet supports the heart to help nourish the heart yin and restore a sense of wellbeing. Interestingly Rose is traditionally known as the herb of love and it has a great ability to heal emotional wounds.
The Vishudda (Throat Chakra) is the link between ourselves and the world around us and is associated with communication, self-expression and sound. Fennel encourages us to express ourselves through the mouth without fear by freeing the feelings that have stagnated. It unblocks capacity for confident self-expression and physically is decongestant and expectorant.
The Ajna (Third Eye Chakra) controls the pituitary gland & all the other glands in the endocrine system. It promotes vision, intuition, psychic abilities, concentration, self-knowledge and insight. Lavender oil is incredibly calming and great for headaches; a common occurrence whenever your third eye is blocked. We can calm the active mind with lavender to reach a higher state of consciousness.
The Sahasrara (Crown Chakra) connects us to our spiritual self. It promotes positive thought patterns, inspiration & imagination. Frankincense helps us take a “deep breath” and is popular for use with meditation. It has the ability to calm and centre the mind to help deepen the spiritual connection. Frankincense is used when the mind is overwhelmed to break free hence why it’s a good oil for grief.
Keep in mind that less essential oil is needed when treating the more emotional and spiritual side of the person. Try to only use one oil per chakra otherwise you can overload the energies.
The essential oils can be mixed with a carrier, and applied topically by rubbing (in a clockwise direction) on the feet or corresponding chakra area. Once you have applied the blend, focus upon positive thoughts and intentions aimed towards balancing the chakra or if massage isn’t for you use a diffuser or dilute a hydrolat in tea or water.
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