Chakra Oils 101: How to Heal and Feel Fabulous Instantly

From battling pandemics to health resolutions going awry - the year 2020 has been off to a not-so-perfect start.

So, if you are using the isolation time to introspect and assess your life, behaviours and relationships - here's a way to do just that by including chakra oils in your self-care regime.

According to wellness experts our body comprises of 7 Chakras that are believed to be linked to our physical and spiritual selves. If all your Chakras are balanced, you are happier, stronger and living your best life! However, any imbalance may just take a toll on your health and can also affect your mood too.

"Our chakras are constantly in a state of rotation. The term ‘Chakra’ is a Sanskrit word, which literally means “wheel of light.” They are described as a spinning wheel of light and colour, located along the spine from the sacrum to the crown or top of the head. Each of the seven traditional chakras has a physical, emotional, creative and a spiritual component to them. They act as a map of our inner world – the relationship we have with ourselves and how to experience the energy of life in its many forms, within our environment," says Colin G Hall, aromatherapist, Paro by Good Earth

What are the 7 chakras and how do they affect us?

According to Hall, each chakra is situated near a physical hormonal gland in the body and has the ability to push life energy through the body to ensure vitality. These energy centres receive and emit potent energy constantly, acting as warehouses and transmitters of Universal Energy, for example, if someone upsets you with a hurtful remark, this manifests in stress, anxiety or anger and is felt either deep in the stomach, represented by the solar plexus chakra or the heart represented by the heart chakra. 

So, depending on where our thoughts are based will result in a specific state of health manifested in a specific area of the body. Here is his handy guide to align your chakras with the help of essential oils:

Muladhara: 1st Chakra (Base or Root Chakra)

The first chakra, controls body solid structures, such as the spinal column, bones, teeth, and nails, also the blood, building process of cells, the colon, and rectal area.

Any imbalances in the base/root chakra can cause weight problems, haemorrhoids, constipation, sciatica, degenerative arthritis, knee problems.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are:

Frankincense, Deodar (Himalayan Cedarwood), Grapefruit, Myrrh, Copaiba, Carrot Seed, Cardamom, Patchouli, Benzoin, Vetiver and Ginger.

You can use them as:

Foot Massage: blend two drops of Vetiver, two drops of Patchouli, four drops of Frankincense four drops of Himalayan Cedarwood into 30 mls of Jojoba oil and massage.

Full body massage: Four drops of Vetiver, four drops of Ginger and four drops of Cardamom into 30 mls of Jojoba oil.

Diffuser: Three drops of Grapefruit into the diffuser.

Svadhisthana: 2nd Chakra (Sacral or sexual chakra)

This chakra focuses on sensation, feeling and movement. The sacral chakra is located between the navel and the front of the pelvis. Any imbalances may cause uterine, kidney or bladder problems, impotence, frigidity, stiff or sore lower back.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are

Rose Geranium, Rose, Vetiver, Ginger, Ylang Ylang, Petitgrain, Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Myrrh, Jasmine, Juniper Berry,

You can use them as:

Lower Back Massage: blend two drops of Geranium, four drops of Petitgrain and two drops of Ylang Ylang.

Full body massage: Four drops of Mandarin, four drops of Jasmine and four drops and four drops of Myrrh

Diffuser: Three drops of Rose Geranium

Manipura: 3rd Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra)

The solar plexus chakra is the power station of the body, physically related to the nervous, digestive and immune systems and associated with the pancreas. The governing colour is yellow. Any imbalance will cause diabetes, ulcers, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), digestive disorders.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are

Bergamot FCF, Lemon, Carrot Seed, Juniper Berry, Himalayan Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Fir Needle.

You can use them as:

Tummy and lower to middle back massage:  Blend 4 drops of Fir Needle, 2 drops of Himalayan Cedarwood and two drops of Bergamot FCF to 20 ml of jojoba oil, proceed to massage.

Full body massage: blend 6 drops of Bergamot FCF, two drops of Juniper Berry and four drops of Ylang Ylang to 30 ml of Jojoba oil.

Diffuser: simply add three drops of Lemon to the diffuser.

Anahata: 4th Chakra (Heart Chakra)

The heart chakra is associated with the emotions and some scholars believe it to be the seat of the mind and the soul. It is associated with the thymus gland and is located midway in the chakra system denoted by the colour green- the middle of the spectrum of light. An imbalance will cause high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease/problems, asthma.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are

Frankincense, Neroli, Petitgrain, Bergamot FCF, Carrot Seed, Lavender, Sweet Inula

You can use them as:

Chest and upper back massage: Four drops of Neroli, two drops of Petitgrain and two of Lavender.

Full body massage: Six drops of Lavender, four Petitgrain and two Frankincense

Diffuser: simply three drops of Neroli

Visuddhi: 5th Chakra (Throat Chakra)

The throat chakra is concerned with the free flow of communication at all levels. Its colour is turquoise or light blue. On the physical level this chakra governs the proper functioning of the throat area and thyroid, which under stress can cause sore throat, stiff neck, colds, thyroid problems, hearing problems.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are

Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Bergamot FCF, Cypress.

You can use them as:

Gentle decollate and neck massage: Blend four drops of Frankincense, two of German Chamomile and two of Cypress to 20 mls of Jojoba oil

Full body massage: blend six drops of Frankincense, four of Bergamot FCF and two of Cypress to 30 mls of Jojoba oil

Diffuser: simply add three drops of Cypress to the diffuser.

Ajna: 6th Chakra (Third Eye Chakra)

The brow chakra is the “inner eye” of the imagination, creativity and dreaming. Located below the centre of the forehead, just above and between the brows and is our “inner eye”. It’s colour is indigo and, like the crown chakra, has been linked with the both pineal and pituitary glands. When in imbalance you may suffer from headaches, blindness, nightmares, eyestrain, blurred vision.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are

Carrot Seed, Peppermint Eucalyptus, Helichrysum, Himalayan Cedarwood

You can use them as:

Head massage: blend two drops of Peppermint Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Radiata) and two drops of Himalayan cedarwood to 10 mls of Jojoba oil, do not use on the face this is only for the hair.

Full body Massage: blend six drops of Himalayan Cedarwood, 2 of Eucalyptus Peppermint and two of carrot seed to 30 mls of Jojoba oil and massage the entire body with exception of the face.

Diffuser: simply add three drops of Eucalyptus peppermints (Eucalyptus Radiata) into the diffuser and enjoy the aroma.

Sahasrara: 7th Chakra (Crown Chakra)

This is the centre at which imagination, inspiration, empathy and selfless service to others are nourished. This most subtle of chakras represents wisdom and also relates to the hypothalamus and the pineal gland. When imbalance it may lead to depression, confusion, boredom, apathy, feelings of alienation, learning difficulties.

Essential Oils which can be used to balance this chakra are

Frankincense, Cistus, Lavender, Lavandin.

You can use them as:

Diffuser: Two drops of lavender and two drops of Frankincense or just three drops of Frankincense into the diffuser.

Facial: blend two drops of Frankincense to 10 ml of jojoba oil, apply to a wet face at night.

Gentle Scalp Massage: Blend two drops of Lavender and two drops of Frankincense to 20 mls of Jojoba oil, apply to the scalp using finger tips to massage.

Note:

To err on the side of caution, never use essential oils on children below the again of 16, on pregnant or breastfeeding women or women trying to become pregnant and those suffering from Asthma. Never exceed the dosages given above as in Aromatherapy actually we believe, “LESS IS MORE”.

Happy Chakra Balancing!