The Chakras and Essential Oils

The word chakra means "wheel" in Sanskrit, a sacred and holy language of Hinduism and Buddhism. Chakra is pronounced shock + ra with a "ra" sound as in oakra. The first writings about the chakras are dated at approximately 1000 B.C., and their origins are based strongly within Hinduism, but the concepts of chakras and energy centers is also fundamental within the Ayurvedic concepts of prana and the Chinese practice of qi. It is believed that we each have seven primary chakras and 21 lesser chakras are thought to also exist. Chakras are also sometimes referred to as energy centers or vortices. Each chakra is thought to resemble a colored wheel that spins in a clockwise direction, and the chakras are thought to each spin at a different rate or frequency. Chakras are invisible to the naked eye and interconnect our physical and spiritual selves. Each of the seven chakras is tied directly to a specific region and nerve center of the body. It is believed that each of the chakras absorbs and filters the energy that we emit through our thoughts and actions as well as through the thoughts and actions of all those that we come into contact with. When one of the chakras is out of balance as a result of negative energy flowing through it, it begins to spin too slowly or too fast. When a chakra is not balanced, it can effect that physical region of the body and also effect very specific aspects of our spiritual and emotional selves. Even if you question if the chakras truly exist, the underlying principles of the chakras can still play a special part during prayer, meditation or when trying to improve your physical, spiritual or emotional outlook. My spiritual foundation lies in Christianity, and I have found wonderful benefit in integrating the principles of chakra balancing within my personal spiritual practice. By using the principles of the chakras to help me examine where my body and emotions are out of balance, I can focus my prayers and use of essential oils to seek specific help and guidance of my Heavenly Father - and I can play a more active role myself in directly focusing my intent on trying to balance the areas of my body and life that need it. Methods of Balancing the Chakras Using Essential Oils: Massage, reflection, meditation and energy work using essential oils is thought to help restore specific balance to each of the chakras. Look to each of AromaWeb's

individual Chakra pages listed below for information on the essential oils associated with each chakra. The Seven Primary Chakras

The Root Chakra

The Root Chakra centers upon our core needs for survival, security and livelihood. When the Root Chakra is unbalanced, you will feel ungrounded, confused and lack the ability to move forward. Without a balanced Root Chakra, it is impossible to fully balance the other chakras. Read More About the Root Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Sacral Chakra The Sacral Chakra influences personal creativity ranging from artistic expression to creative problem solving. Healthy sexual desire and expression is also controlled by the Sacral Chakra, though communicating sexual desires is also directly affected by the Throat Chakra. Read More About the Sacral Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Solar Plexus Chakra The Solar Plexus Chakra strongly influences your identity and sense of self worth. Imbalances can take on polar opposites ranging from low self-esteem all the way to arrogant, selfish behavior. Read More About the Solar Plexus Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Heart Chakra The Heart Chakra strongly influences the ability to give and receive love in a healthy way. The Heart Chakra also influences our ability to cope with the sadness of betrayals of a loved one or losing a loved one due to breakup, abandonment or death. Read More About the Heart Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Throat Chakra

The Throat Chakra strongly influences our ability to effectively communicate our thoughts, opinions, desires and feelings - and just as importantly, our ability to hear, listen and understand those in our daily lives. The Throat Chakra not only influences what we hear and say through verbal communication, but it also influences body language and written communication methods. Read More About the Throat Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Third Eye (Brow) Chakra The Third Eye Chakra influences the areas of our mind that control our common sense, wisdom, intelligence, memory retention, dreams, spirituality and intuition. Read More About the Third Eye Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Crown Chakra The Crown Chakra influences our deeper understanding of ourselves beyond the physical or material. Read More About the Crown Chakra and Associated Essential Oils

The Root Chakra and Essential Oils

The Root Chakra centers upon our core needs for survival, security and livelihood. When the Root Chakra is unbalanced, you will feel ungrounded, confused and lack the ability to move forward. Without a balanced Root Chakra, it is impossible to fully balance the other chakras.

Root Chakra Location: Base of the spine, by the tailbone/coccyx.

Essential Oils for Balancing the Root Chakra:

Angelica Root Benzoin

Cedarwood Frankincense Myrrh Oakmoss Patchouli Spikenard Vetiver

Signs of Balance:

Symptoms of Imbalance:

Grounded Secure Safe Content

Ungrounded Unclear of Purpose Fearful Insecure Confused

Color: Red Crystals:

Element: Earth Sound: C/Oohm

Bloodstone Garnet Red Agate Red Aventurine Red Jasper Red Tiger's Eye Ruby

The Sacral Chakra and Essential Oils

The Sacral Chakra influences personal creativity ranging from artistic expression to creative problem solving. Healthy sexual desire and expression is also controlled by the Sacral Chakra, though communicating sexual desires is also directly affected by the Throat Chakra.

Sacral Chakra Location: Slightly underneath the naval.

Essential Oils for Balancing the Sacral Chakra:

Bergamot Cardamom Clary Sage Neroli Orange Patchouli Rose Sandalwood Ylang-Ylang

Signs of Balance:

Symptoms of Imbalance:

Smooth Creative Flow Healthy Sexual Desire Positive Outlook

Sexual Problems or Disfunction Fear of Sexual or Emotional Intimacy Infidelity Needy or Wiithdrawn

Color: Orange Crystals:

Element: Water Sound: D/Ohm

Carnelian Citrine Orange Calcite Milky Quartz Moonstone Selenite

The Solar Plexus Chakra and Essential Oils

The Solar Plexus Chakra strongly influences your identity and sense of self worth. Imbalances can take on polar opposites ranging from low self-esteem all the way to arrogant, selfish behavior.

Solar Plexus Chakra Location: Slightly above the naval.

Essential Oils for Balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra:

Black Pepper Cedarwood Cinnamon Clove Coriander Cypress Geranium Ginger Grapefruit Juniper Lemongrass Mandarin Peppermint Petitrain Rosemary Sandalwood Spearmint Vetiver Ylang Ylang

Signs of Balance:

Symptoms of Imbalance:

Comfortable in Own Skin Inner Peace Confidence Without Arrogance Calm Demeanor Patient Flexible

Low Self-Esteem or Arrogant, Egotistical Behavior. Feeling Abandoned or Rejected or Feeling the World Revolves Around You Nervousness Difficulty Understanding or

Controlling Emotions Rebellious or Too Eager to Please Nervous or Stressed Out Addictive Behaviors Including Eating Disorders

Color: Yellow Crystals:

Element: Fire Sound: E/Ahm

Amber Citrine Golden Topaz Sunstone Yellow Calcite

The Heart Chakra and Essential Oils

The Heart Chakra strongly influences the ability to give and receive love in a healthy way. The Heart Chakra also influences our ability to cope with the sadness of betrayals of a loved one or losing a loved one due to breakup, abandonment or death.

Heart Chakra Location: Directly surrounding the heart region.

Essential Oils for Balancing the Heart Chakra:

Bergamot Cypress Geranium Jasmine Lavender Lemon Mandarin Melissa

Neroli Orange Rose Sandalwood Tangerine Ylang Ylang

Signs of Balance:

Symptoms of Imbalance:

Able to Express Love Giving Compassionate Joyful Content

Unable to Give or Receive Unconditional Love Selfish Jealous Hateful Grief Stricken Excessive Loneliness Depression

Color: Green/Pink Crystals:

Element: Air Sound: F/Ah

Amazonite Chrysocolla Chrysoprase Emerald Green Aventurine Green Calcite Green Flourite Kunzite Malachite Morganite Moss Agate Peridot Pink Calcite (Mangano) Pink Tourmaline Rhodochrosite Rose Quartz Watermelon Tourmaline

The Throat Chakra and Essential Oils

The Throat Chakra strongly influences our ability to effectively communicate our thoughts, opinions, desires and feelings - and just as importantly, our ability to hear, listen and understand those in our daily lives. The Throat Chakra not only influences what we hear and say through verbal communication, but it also influences body language and written communication methods.

Throat Chakra Location: Center of the neck/throat.

Essential Oils for Balancing the Throat Chakra:

Basil Bergamot Chamomile (English/Roman) Cypress Peppermint Spearmint

Signs of Balance:

Symptoms of Imbalance:

Effective Communication Skills Expressive Good Listener Patient Honest Receptive to Criticism

Poor Communication Skills Afraid to Speak Up/Represses Feelings Uncontrolled Verbal Outbursts Deceiptful Manipulative Shy or Talks Excessively Unable to Listen

Color: Blue Crystals:

Element: Ether/Sound Sound: G/Ehm

Angelite Apatite Aquamarine

Azurite Celestite Blue Calcite Blue Lace Agate Blue Quartz Blue Sapphire Chrysocolla Kyanite Lapis LazuliSodalite Larimar Turquoise