11 min read / 5 November 2021 / Laura Garvin Gomez
The seven chakras and essential oils to align them
Learn how you can use essential oils to keep your seven chakras open and balanced.
There’s a good chance you will have come across the idea of chakras before, whether you’ve heard them referenced in a TV show or mentioned in a yoga class.
Whilst the word has infiltrated modern media, many people still misunderstand fundamental aspects of the seven chakras and how they relate to our health and wellbeing.
Today, we’re going to talk about each of our seven chakras and the best chakra essential oils.
What does chakra mean?The word ‘chakra’ in Sanskrit means wheel. This refers to the central idea of the seven chakras as being spinning wheels of energy that need to remain open, unblocked and aligned with each other in order for us to live as our best selves and remain healthy in both body and mind. This ancient understanding of health and energy was first written about in 1500-1000 BCE, and today is still widely practiced by many across the globe. Each of the seven chakras correspond to organs, systems and groups of nerves that affect our physical and emotional health. Keeping these chakras open and balanced is believed to be key to living a long and prosperous life. |
People use many different tools to keep their chakras open and aligned, including yoga, journaling, meditation, crystals and chakra essential oils.
Let's explore how you can use essential oils and essential oil blends to influence each chakra and maintain balance.
Before we get started, don’t forget to check out our wholesale program at Nikura. With great pricing and flexible ordering, our wholesale program makes it easy to elevate your creations.
Explore our range today and unlock endless possibilities with Nikura wholesale essential oils.
What is the Root Chakra?
- Located at the base of the spine
- Connected to the colour red
- Associated with stability, safety and grounding
The root chakra is also known as ‘Muladhara’, which comes from two Sanskrit words: ‘mula’, meaning root, and ‘adhara’, meaning ‘support’ or ‘base’.
It references whatever we need to feel grounded, including our basic needs, such as being fed, watered, sheltered and safe.
The root chakra can have a connection to how safe we felt as a child; even if our basic needs are currently being met, past trauma may prevent us from recognising this.
Balancing the root chakra is key to creating a foundation for the other six and ensuring overall health. When the root chakra is in alignment and open, we feel grounded and secure.
A blocked root chakra can cause issues such as arthritis, constipation, or colon problems. It can also cause us to feel insecure about our situation in life, doubt our safety, and worry about our needs being met.
Essential oils for your root chakra:
Cedarwood - One of the first ever distilled essential oils, ancient cedarwood has been found to improve focus, and helps to promote a more present, grounded feeling.
Its protective, soothing qualities reassure us that our basic needs are being met and that we have a cushion of health upon which to begin working on ourselves.
Myrrh - Considered a sacred oil, myrrh has strong links to spirituality and is said to help promote spiritual awareness.
This awareness enhances our ability to recognise and acknowledge our emotions as they come up, and difficult feelings are made easier to process thanks to the oil’s soothing, comforting properties.
Patchouli - Patchouli is said to draw a person’s energy down through the body, anchoring it at the root chakra. It has been found to improve low mood and ease anxieties, helping us to feel more grounded and at peace.
Ylang Ylang - Rich, floral and delicate, ylang ylang is known for soothing stress and boosting confidence.
Shop our Root Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
What is the Sacral Chakra?
- Located just below the belly button and above the pubic bone
- Connected to the colour orange
- Associated with sexuality, creativity, and pleasure
Once our root chakra is open and we feel assured in our safety and physical health, we can begin to take pleasure in life and seek out the things we enjoy. This is where the sacral chakra comes in.
Known as ‘Svadhisthana’, which translates to ‘one’s own abode’, the sacral chakra is associated with being a feeling of being in one’s element.
When this chakra is balanced, we can expect our relationships – both with others and with ourselves – to feel healthy and harmonious, and interacting with the rest of the world can bring us happiness.
Balancing the sacral chakra also helps to inspire creativity and enhances our powers of self-expression.
An open and aligned sacral chakra leaves us feeling nurtured, creatively fulfilled, and in harmony with those around us.
When the sacral chakra is blocked we may feel a pain in the lower back or experience problems in our bladder or kidneys such as a UTI.
Sexual complications are also said to be linked to a blocked sacral chakra, and can manifest as painful sex, impotence, and reproductive issues.
Emotionally, a blocked sacral chakra may lead to ‘writer’s block’ or other creative frustration, as well as a drop in self-worth.
Essential oils for your sacral chakra:
Mandarin - Known for its stress-relieving properties, mandarin is a great oil for boosting self-worth and inspiring a positive mindset.
It is said to encourage joyful feelings and is traditionally associated with prosperity, allowing artistic expression unencumbered by stress and self-doubt.
Patchouli - Often associated with the lower chakras due to its ability to draw energy down through the body, patchouli is a grounding oil that helps to connect us to our surroundings.
It is known to lift low moods and promote a feeling of self-belief. The indulgent and complex scent of patchouli oil can also help to inspire creativity.
Ylang Ylang - Ylang ylang oil is a popular mood-booster that has been used to fight unproductive emotions such as anger, jealousy, and low self-esteem.
A natural energiser, it also helps to increase libido and encourage sexual confidence.
Shop our Sacral Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
What is the Solar Plexus Chakra?
- Located in the upper abdomen
- Connected to the colour yellow
- Associated with self-esteem and confidence
The solar plexus chakra, or ‘Manipura’, is regarded as the centre of personal power in the body. Translating to ‘city of jewels’, Manipura governs much of what is precious to the self, such as personality, ego, and identity, and is associated with personal freedom, choice, and authenticity.
When the solar plexus chakra is open and aligned, our sense of self is at its strongest.
Physically, the solar plexus chakra influences the digestive system and its associated organs, and blockages in this chakra may consequently manifest as digestive issues such as ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, and even eating disorders.
A blocked solar plexus chakra can lead to a feeling of discomfort in one’s skin and may contribute to an identity crisis.
Essential oils for your solar plexus chakra:
Ginger - Considered a ‘universal remedy’ in Ayurvedic medicine, ginger is closely associated with confidence, positive moods, and decreased anxiety. Its warming, assuring properties are said to promote wisdom and clarity, leading to a stronger sense of self.
It is also used as an aphrodisiac and a remedy for impotence, helping to tackle any self-esteem issues that may lie at the cause of sexual complications.
Juniper Berry - Juniper berry oil is said to help break down psychological strain and promote rest.
Often used to treat anxiety and insomnia, it can encourage the clarity that comes with feeling well-rested and help us to feel more in control of our lives.
Lemon - Like most citrus oils, lemon is known to be uplifting and invigorating, helping us to shake off low moods.
Its energising properties keep us present and awake to our surroundings, connecting us to ourselves.
Shop our Solar Plexus Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
What is the Heart Chakra?
- Located in the centre of the chest, just above the heart
- Connected to the colour green
- Associated with love and compassion
The heart chakra is concerned with all manner of powerful emotion, such as unconditional love, joy, compassion, and profound truths that cannot be expressed in words.
Also known as ‘Anahata’, which in Sanskrit means ‘unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten’, the heart chakra helps us to process pure and overwhelming emotions, and opens us to all experiences.
When the heart chakra is alignment, we feel connected to the world around us, surrounded by love, and able to easily face challenges.
A blocked heart chakra can lead to poor circulation, high or low blood pressure, and other heart and lung conditions.
It can also manifest as asthma or weight issues. When the heart chakra is imbalanced, we may show dependency or manipulative behaviours.
We may also feel unworthy of love and struggle to trust those who show us love or compassion.
Essential oils for your heart chakra:
Geranium - Geranium is an emotionally healing oil known to help with stress and low mood and promote positive feelings.
It is said to help promote an open heart and trust in others by soothing the anxieties that can accompany low self-esteem.
Maritime Pine - Said to improve blood flow and circulation, maritime pine oil helps to take care of the heart and keep the heart chakra open.
Its uplifting and cleansing scent helps to ease emotional pain and heal old wounds, allowing us to open ourselves up to new experiences.
Ylang Ylang - Ylang Ylang oil is said to boost heart health by improving blood flow and fighting inflammation.
It is known as a positive, uplifting oil, and is said to help us connect to the heart by protecting its physical health.
Shop our Heart Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
What is the Throat Chakra?
- Located in the throat
- Connected to the colour blue
- Associated with communication
The throat chakra is also known as ‘Vishuddha’, meaning ‘especially pure’. It emphasises easy and healthy communication in which we are able to speak our truth without obstacles.
The throat chakra acts as the bridge between the earthly realm of the first four chakras and the spiritual realm of the last two, and provides the voice through which we express our creativity.
When the throat chakra is aligned, we speak confidently and with compassion, able to listen to others and engage with them productively.
A blocked throat chakra is often associated with an inability to speak. This can manifest as a speech impediment or a fear of public speaking.
In less extreme cases, it may manifest as a lump in the throat or a feeling of not being able to speak freely with people we know. Physically, a blocked throat chakra may cause throat, thyroid, mouth or ear problems.
An imbalanced throat chakra can sometimes lead us to overshare, ramble, talk across others, or speak inappropriately without meaning to.
Essential oils for your throat chakra:
Cypress - Considered a highly spiritual oil, cypress is known for its restorative, detoxifying properties.
It is said to help promote inner renewal, and can treat issues with the throat and respiratory system.
Lavender - Lavender oil promotes peace, positivity, and awareness of our surroundings.
The protective and healing properties of the oil help to revitalise us and leave us feeling self-assured, giving us the ability to communicate at our best.
Spearmint - Uplifting and mood-boosting, spearmint helps us to speak with compassion and purpose.
It can also relieve stress-induced tension, leaving us in a better position to listen to others and engage with their issues.
Shop our Throat Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
What is the Third Eye Chakra?
- Located between the eyes
- Connected to the colour indigo
- Associated with intuition and imagination
Known as ‘Ajna’, which in Sanskrit means ‘inner eye’, the third eye chakra enhances our perception of the world around us and informs the way in which we interact with it.
It is connected to the brain, pituitary and pineal glands, and correlates to our mental abilities and the way in which we respond to different beliefs and attitudes.
A balanced third eye chakra means that we have a spiritual awareness of shifts in our surroundings.
When our third eye chakra is balanced, we are able to follow our intuition and see the big picture.
When it is blocked, we may experience headaches, problems with our sight or hearing, and an inability to concentrate.
If our third eye chakra is out of alignment it may be difficult for us to trust our intuition or think realistically.
Essential oils for your third eye chakra:
Clary Sage - Clary sage is a relaxing oil that quietens and clears the mind. Due to its calming properties, it can help to open creative channels and provide clarity on complicated situations.
It is also said to boost self-belief and bodily comfort, allowing us to trust our intuition.
Marjoram - Marjoram oil can help to ease anxiety and calm obsessive thinking, boosting positivity and self-worth.
Its cleansing scent helps to clear the mind and sharpen understanding, allowing us to consider problems from all angles.
Rosemary - Rosemary oil aids concentration, attention and memory, helping us to consider situations objectively.
It also lowers our stress levels, allowing us to approach challenges calmly. It is regarded as the oil of higher thought due to the mental clarity that it provides.
Shop our Third Eye Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
What is the Crown Chakra?
- Located on the very top of the head
- Connected to the colour violet and/or white
- Associated with awareness and intelligence
The crown chakra is linked to every other chakra, as well as the brain and nervous system.
Consequently, it has a degree of influence over ever organ. It is known as ‘Sahasrara’, meaning ‘thousand-petaled’; a reference to a thousand-petaled lotus flower.
The crown chakra is the chakra of enlightenment, representing our connection to our life’s purpose.
When opened and aligned, it is thought to help keep all other chakras pen and bring bliss and enlightenment.
Signs of a blocked crown chakra include poor coordination and a low ability to function physically, as well as confusion, poor mental functioning, and a lack of focus.
Essential oils for your crown chakra:
Cedarwood - A highly spiritual oil, cedarwood has been used to aid meditation throughout the centuries.
It improves focus and helps to clear the mind and direct it towards a particular purpose, allowing us greater control over our train of thought.
Frankincense - Frankincense oil also has strong ties to spirituality – Ancient Egyptians believed that burning the oil allowed them to communicate with the gods.
Frankincense is said to provide both a physical and emotional boost, helping us to realise our best selves.
Lavender - Lavender is known for its powerful effects on the mind. A calming oil, it is able to easy daily stresses and help us to focus on the bigger picture.
Shop our Crown Chakra Essential Oil Blend here.
Aromatherapy and spirituality have always been closely tied, and our Chakra Essential Oil Blends are a fantastic way to explore this ancient system.
Don't miss out on our wholesale program at Nikura. Benefit from competitive pricing and flexible ordering options. Explore our range today and unleash endless possibilities with Nikura wholesale essential oils.
