Essential oils are incredibly effective when it comes to balancing chakras. These potent, natural, easy to use oils have been proven to help restore our energy centers through chakra balancing. With the proper precautions, essential oils are safe to use and provide immediate relief.
Before we delve into which essential oils are best for balancing each chakra, let’s take a quick refresher course about just what the chakras are and why you would want to have them balanced. Whether you are brand new to learning about chakras and oils or an experienced practitioner, you’re sure to learn more about chakra balancing.
What are Chakras?
There are 7 different spots in the body through which energy flows. These 7 spots are our chakras. Our chakras are lined up in a straight line that runs from the top of the head down to the tailbone. Each chakra is represented by different color and place in the body.
Chakras help to control how the body works; when our chakras are open and energy can freely flow through them, our body will run efficiently and we will feel at peace and regulated. The idea of chakras originated in India and was mentioned in an ancient text known as the Vedas.
The chakras run up and down the spine, providing an uninterrupted line of energy centers. Chakras and essential oils are often incorporated into yoga and reiki practices, restoring students’ energy through the process.
There are several ways to balance the chakras. Some popular methods are the use of healing crystals or specific yoga poses. The use of essential oils in chakra balancing is gaining in popularity as more and more people are feeling better after trying this method.
While learning more about chakra balancing using essential oils, it is important to know more about the chakras and what each chakra represents and controls. How the energy flows through the body is an amazing science. Understanding the chakras helps us to understand that science a little bit better.
The 7 Chakras Are:
Root Chakra
The root chakra is found at the tailbone, right at the base of the spine. It is represented by the color red. This chakra helps us to feel grounded and safe (in ourselves and within our surroundings). The sanskrit name for the root chakra is muladhara.
When the root chakra is blocked a person may feel ungrounded or flighty and experience lower back pain or issues with their legs and feet. Varicose veins and joint pain may also present themselves when this chakra is affected.
Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is known to be the color orange. It is located approximately 2 inches underneath the belly button and 2 inches deep inside the body. The sacral chakra deals with sexuality and creativity. Its sanskrit name is svadhishthana.
When the sacral chakra is not allowing energy to freely flow, a person may experience urinary tract infections, gynecological problems, infertility or issues with their spleed. They may suffer from eating disorders or anxiety.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra is found in the stomach area and is represented by the color yellow. It regulates your will and power. The sanskrit name for the solar plexus chakra is manipura.
When the solar plexus chakra is unbalanced, one may have skin concerns such as acne or excema. They may experience digestive problems, intestinal blockages or diabetes. They may also suffer from sugar addictions and food allergies.
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is; not surprisingly, located at the heart, right in the middle of the chest. It is represented by the color green and maintains the energy for feelings of love and compassion. Its sanskrit names is anahata.
When the heart chakra is not balanced, it may present itself as respiratory issues such as asthma, pneumonia or other lung disorders. Those suffering from this imbalance may also experience distrust and a general feeling of hopelessness.
Throat Chakra
The throat chakra is located at the base of the throat and is represented by the color blue. Vishuddha is the sanskrit name for the throat chakra and this chakra governs our ability to communicate and speak the truth.
When the throat chakra is unbalanced, thyroid issues and loss of voice may occur. Individuals may also experience attention deficit disorders or TMJ (jaw problems.) Dental concerns also typically arise when the throat chakra is not in balance.
Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra is located between the eyebrows and slightly higher on the forehead. It is said to house our intuition and is shown as the color indigo. Its sanskrit name is ajna.
When the third eye chakra is in need of balancing, the person affected will notice that they are experiencing eye problems, headaches and nightmares. They may also present with personality disorders and diseases of the scalp and hair. Seizures can also occur when the third eye chakra is out of balance.
Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is at the very top of the head, on the scalp. This chakra’s color is violet and is involved with our connection to a higher spiritual power. The sanskrit name for the crown chakra is sahasrara.
The crown chakra affects your entire being: physical, emotional and mental. When it is out of balance, a person may feel depressed and experience a lack of faith. Physical symptoms can be autoimmune disorders, headaches and light sensitivity.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated fragrances that come from plants. The oil that is naturally present in the leaves, stems or flowers of a plant contain the plant’s essence or fragrance center. When that liquid is removed from the plant to create an essential oil, that oil will have the same fragrance of the plant itself.
If you have ever smelled the beautiful fragrance of a rose, know that this is the fragrance that you will experience when smelling a pure rose essential oil. Being that it is a concentrated fragrance, it may seem to be stronger than the original, but it still carries all the familiar notes of the flower that you enjoy.
The safest and most effective way to source essential oils is through steam distillation. Steam distillation uses steam from heated water to extract the oils from the host plants. The best and most natural essential oils are ones that are derived through steam distillation.
Some essential oil companies may use chemical or physical methods of extraction and these should be avoided. Be sure to do your research and only choose essential oils that are pure, natural and guaranteed to be extracted safely.
It is wise to choose an essential oil company that sources its oils in a sustainable and experienced fashion. You want the highest grade oils, especially when it comes to chakra balancing. Be sure to avoid any oils labeled as fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are chemically produced oils that are unnatural and may be unsafe for use.
When using an essential oil, it can be diffused through water vapor in a diffuser or applied topically. When applying directly to the skin, it is often safest to use the essential oil in a carrier oil. Carrier oils help to dilute the essential oils to bring them to a safe level to avoid skin irritation.
Recommended Carrier Oils for Essential Oil Use:
- Coconut Oil (organic, unrefined)
- Fractionated Coconut Oil (liquid form)
- Jojoba Oil
- Argan Oil
- Avocado Oil
When using essential oils on children, even more care must be taken. The skin of a child is more sensitive and their systems do not need as strong a ratio of essential oils as adults. Oils should be applied to children’s feet in a strongly diluted carrier oil or through a cool mist diffuser made especially for essential oils.
Why Should I Balance My Chakras?
Each chakra is aligned to a specific area of the body. If you are experiencing discomfort, pain or unease in any one area, it is likely that you have a chakra that is blocked and needs to be balanced.
Body Parts Associated With Each Chakra:
- Root Chakra: bones (including spinal column), feet, legs
- Sacral Chakra: kidneys, reproductive system
- Solar Plexus Chakra: digestive system, pancreas, liver
- Heart Chakra: heart (circulatory system), lungs
- Throat Chakra: thyroid, mouth, teeth
- Third Eye Chakra: eye, nervous system, ear, brain
- Crown Chakra: nervous system, pineal gland, pituitary gland
The key to balancing your chakras is to restore the vibrational energy that allows the energy within your body to move through each chakra. When a person has a physical, emotional or mental concern, the chakra that corresponds to the physical area where the issue lies will likely become blocked.
When a chakra is blocked, a person may feel ill, tired or filled with pain. Chakra balancing is important to maintain a healthy, happy, productive lifestyle. Any time that one or more chakras is out of balance, it will result in an ailment in the body or mind.
Ailments That Can Be Helped Through Chakra Balancing:
- Chronic Fatigue
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chronic Pain
- Emotional Distress
- Sleep Disorders
Many people will ignore physical or emotional symptoms that they are experiencing because they think that there is nothing that can be done to help them feel better. It would be wonderful for chakra balancing to become even more mainstream so those in these difficult situations can know that there is hope.
You can take this quiz to see which of your chakras may be unbalanced or blocked. Having this information will allow you to properly choose which essential oils to use on which part of the body to balance your chakras.
Now that we’ve learned all about the chakras and essential oils, let’s jump right into HOW you can use essential oils to balance your own chakras and which oils are most beneficial for each chakra.
Using Essential Oils to Balance Your Chakras
The first step to balancing one or more of your chakras is the become aware of which chakras need balancing. If your are experiencing a specific malady that can be traced to one part of the body, it will be easy to figure out which chakra corresponds to that body part.
When feeling an overall sense of unease or being unwell, it may be prudent to work on all of the chakras as a whole. Balancing the entire system of 7 chakras will ensure that you are eliminating and energy blockages that may be holding you back or causing your pain or discomfort.
It is important to handle essential oils carefully and apply them as directed. As mentioned earlier, using a carrier oil is the best way to apply essential oils to the skin in a safe and effective manner. In many instances, using a carrier oil actually aids the essential oils in penetrating the skin.
You will notice that several oils are effective for a few different chakras. This is because every person is a unique individual who will respond differently when they try a variety of essential oils. If you do not see an improvement with one of the recommended oils, simply try another until you start to see results.
The following oils are most effective for their corresponding chakras:
How to Apply Essential Oils for Each Chakra:
- Root Chakra: rosemary, cedar, rose wood, sandalwood, ginger
- Sacral Chakra: sandalwood, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang
- Solar Plexus Chakra: chamomile, frankincense, rose, sandalwood, bergamot
- Heart Chakra: rosemary, frankincense, lavender
- Throat Chakra: jasmine, neroli, ylang ylang, sandalwood
- Third Eye Chakra: rosemary, frankincense, vetiver
- Crown Chakra: lavender, rosewood, frankincense, vetiver
When it comes to balancing the root chakra, it is best to dilute it in a carrier oil and apply to the soles of the feet. A good ratio is 4 drops of oil to 4 drops of carrier oil. The root chakra is directly related to the feet and legs and will benefit positively from the oils being applied in this manner.
For a blockage in the sacral chakra, diluted essential oils can be gently massaged into the lower abdomen, a few inches below the belly button or into the lower back. Oils used to balance the sacral chakra can also be added to body and bath products such as lotions and body treatments.
Balancing the solar plexus chakra requires applying the diluted oil to the stomach area just above the belly button. Be sure to use gentle, light pressure when applying oils to this delicate area.
The heart chakra will balance when essential oils are diluted and applied directly to the chest, over the breast bone. Allow your hands to remain still and produce a comforting feeling of warmth when applying the oils in this manner.
When balancing the throat chakra, it is more effective to use less oils than are delivered when applied directly to the skin. Creating a spray of water and a few drops of the essential oil you have chosen is the ideal method. Simply mist this blend on your throat and top of your chest as needed.
The third eye chakra benefits from having a diluted essential oil applied to the forehead. This chakra can also be balanced through the inhalation of the essential oil through a diffuser. Water based diffusers do not heat up the oils, preserving their healing properties.
When attempting to balance the crown chakra, is is best to pay attention to the entire room that you are inhabiting. Run a diffuser with the oil of your choice to reap the full benefits of this aromatherapy. Some diffusers come with an automatic shut off feature and can run safely while you sleep, balancing your chakra while you dream.
Conclusion
As you can see, essential oils have a transformative effect on these powerful energy centers that we all have within ourselves. Though chakras are unable to be seen or touched, they hold tremendous power when it comes to our personal well being. Essential oils are the key to unlocking that power.
Choosing to balance your chakras with essential oils is an act of self care. Taking the time to care for your mind, body and spirit while allowing pure energy to flow through you is the ultimate way to care for yourself. When you take care of yourself, you will be more able to give of yourself and care for others.
The journey to learn about chakras and essential oils is full of new information and tried and true methods of chakra balancing. It may be your first time to try chakra balancing, or just the first time using essential oils. Either way, you will enjoy the results of renewed health, increased energy and a stable emotional state.
