Before I dive right into how to use essential oils to open our chakras or what essential oils to use, I thought I would chat for a sec about what in the world a chakra is and why it matters. For some it might seem like a bunch of hooey [aka nonsense], but I’m hoping to shed a little light that might help it to make more sense.
We all know that our bodies and everything around us need energy to survive. Us humans need food to fuel our bodies with energy to function. You may not have actually sat down and thought about it, but you probably also know that we have varying types of energy. Mechanical Energy – muscle movements, Radiant Energy – sunlight to convert cells in our skin to vitamin D, and Electrical Energy – electrolytes that contribute to transmitting impulses in our nerves and cells. Even inanimate objects have energy. It may seem a little strange, but they do. They vibrate on different levels than living objects, but indeed, everything has energy. A good example: when someone close to us dies we’re often are drawn to one of their possessions. We often think this is to remind us of the person, but science says that object carries similar vibrations to its "owner" and so we feel “close” to that person when we focus on, hold, wear, etc. that particular object. Neat right!?!
Now that we’ve revisited our science lessons from school, let’s move on to what chakras are. The word “chakra” in literal translation means “wheel.” This wheel is a ball of energy that sits in our body. It spins clockwise to move energy out of our body and spins counterclockwise to pull energy into our body. You may have heard when you have a tummy ache you should rub [DigestZen] on your tummy in a clockwise motion – to push those ickies out of the body. This is the reasoning behind it.
There are seven main energy centers, aka chakras, in our body:
CROWN – represents our spiritual connectedness. Most people rarely or never have their crown chakra fully opened, but if/when you do, you’re tapping into a higher consciousness.
Location: Very top of the head
What it controls: Inner and outer beauty, spiritual connection, and bliss
Mantra: “I honor the divine and am a carrier of love and light.”
Color: Violet or White
Element: Divine Consciousness
Stone: Clear quartz
When it develops: 43-49 years old
THIRD EYE – ability to connect to your intuition. When your third eye chakra is open you see the big picture. When your third eye chakra is closed you feel disconnected, distant and controlled.
Location: Middle of forehead between the eyes
What it controls: Faith, intuition, imagination, and perception
Mantra: “I am open to what I cannot see and trust my intuition.”
Color: Purple
Element: Light
Stone: Amethyst
When it develops: 36-42 years old
THROAT – controls our personal communication. When our throat chakra is open, we’re able to express ourselves clearly. When our throat chakra is closed, we struggle to find the words.
Location: Throat
What it controls: Communication, self-expression, and truth
Mantra: “I a speak with truth and intention”
Color: Turquoise
Element: Sound
Stone: Aquamarine
When it develops: 29-35 years old
HEART – our ability to give and receive love. When our heart chakra is open, we experience understanding and compassion. When our heart chakra is closed, we have difficulty opening up to people.
Location: Center of chest, above heart
What it controls: Acceptance of compassion, love, joy, and inner peace
Mantra: “I am filled with, open to and give joy and love.”
Color: Green
Element: Air
Stone: Rose Quartz
When it develops: 21-28 years old
SOLAR PLEXUS – our ability to confidently control our life. When your solar plexus chakra is open, you find it easy to express yourself. When your solar plexus chakra is closed, you can feel shame or self-doubt.
Location: Stomach, in upper abdomen
What it controls: Willpower, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem
Mantra: “I am worthy of pursuing my passion and purpose.”
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Stone: Amber
When it develops: 15-21 years old
SACRAL – how we interpret our emotions and is the hub for our creativity and sexual energy. When the sacral chakra is open, we feel happy, desired and in control. When the sacral chakra is closed, we feel a full lack of control.
Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the belly button
What it controls: Your sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure, and sexuality
Mantra: “I am the creator of my reality.”
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Stone: Tiger’s Eye
When it develops: 8-14 years old
ROOT – like the root of a tree, this is our foundation. When the root chakra is open, we have positive feelings of self-confident. When the root chakra is closed, we have negative feeling and can feel threatened.
Location: Tailbone area at the base of spine, legs and feet
What it controls: Stability, survival issues - money, food
Mantra to support: “I am abundant, strong and supported.”
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Stone: Hematite
When it develops: 1-7 years old
When a chakra is open, energy is flowing. When a chakra is closed, it typically means you’re avoiding actions or thoughts related to this area. If you feel “off” in any area, you may have a blocked chakra. This is usually caused by negative thoughts and feelings. We are at our best when all our chakras are opened, and energy is freely flowing. Of course, we all strive for this on the daily and that’s why things like prayer, meditation, journaling, yoga, and other similar activities are practiced daily – to help us align and try to open all our chakras (even if we didn’t realize that’s what we were doing).
To work on a specific chakra you can use and repeat the mantras [above] and focus on what it is you’d like to change or accomplish. You can anchor those thoughts and aid in the process by using essential oils. However, if there’s one thing I learned as I was doing the research about essential oils and chakras, it’s that much of it boils down to your personal preference. I will guide you through the basics and give you my personal recommendations, but ultimately it will be your call on what oils you use that “speak” to you – those will be the ones that have a pleasing aroma and that you feel drawn to using in that moment.
CROWN – diffusing a mental or spiritual clarity essential oil in the area is a fantastic way to try to open the crown chakra.
My personal fav: Copaiba & Frankincense
Other recommendations: dōTERRA Elevation, Hawaiian Sandalwood, Lavender, Melissa, Spearmint, Peppermint, Rosemary, Clary Sage
THIRD EYE – apply a drop of a focus or calming essential oil to the third eye area of the forehead and/or diffuse.
My personal fav: Adaptiv™
Other recommendations: Serenity™, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, Lemon, Rosemary, Patchouli
THROAT – a perfume or roller blend of essential oils known to promote open communication applied to the chest and neck area is a way to influence the throat chakra.
My personal fav: Whisper®
Other recommendations: Spearmint, Lavender, Bergamot, Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang
HEART – a perfume or roller blend of essential oils that evoke feelings of joy, compassion and happiness applied to the breast bone or massaged into the middle of the back will help your heart chakra to center.
My personal fav: dōTERRA Hope®
Other recommendations: Breathe™, Rose, Geranium, Peppermint, Melaleuca, Wild Orange, Red Mandarin, Citrus Bliss®, Lime,
SOLAR PLEXUS – a tummy massage with an essential oil that brings confidence to the forefront is an excellent way to manage the solar plexus chakra.
My personal fav: Slim & Sassy®
Other recommendations: dōTERRA Motivate®, Peppermint, Caraway, Fennel, Bergamot, Cassia, DigestZen®, Eucalyptus, Juniper Berry, Vetiver, Lavender
SACRAL – a lower back massage with an emotional support oil or a citrus oil or blend is a wonderful way to open the sacral chakra. Depending on the emotion you are trying to support will depend on the oil you’ll want to use.
My personal fav: Citrus Bliss®
Other recommendations: anything citrus oil or anything from the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy line: doTERRA Cheer®, doTERRA Console®, doTERRA Forgive®, doTERRA Motivate®, doTERRA Passion®, and doTERRA Peace®
ROOT – a foot massage with a balancing or grounding essential oil is a great way to open the root chakra.
My personal fav: dōTERRA Balance®
Other recommendations: Spruce, Blue Tansy, Frankincense, Patchouli, Vetiver, Arborvitae, Myrrh
Like I said it’s really going to come down to what you like and what feels good to you. I didn’t even begin to list all the oils under the other recommendations, because honestly there are TONS of them for each chakra. I do hope this helps you understand a little more about chakras, how they work, why they matter and what you can do to help yourself get into better alignment and feeling when you feel a little off.
xoDanette