Chakras and Essential Oils

Larger view of the chakra symbols over essential oil bearing plants and oil bottles

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.

Illustration of the position of all chakras on their bodies, their symbols, names and their meanings

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

Photo of woman meditating surrounded by amber bottles filled with essential oil blends intended to balance each of the seven 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.

Go to AromaWeb's Balancing the Chakras Using Essential Oils page to view a recipe for creating your own chakra blends and information for diffusing essential oils for chakra work.

Meditation/Prayer with Crystals

Photo of crystals that can be used in conjunction with essential oils to help balance the chakras

Meditating with crystals that represent the color of a specific chakra is thought to strengthen and balance that chakra. For instance, the Throat Chakra is associated with the color blue. Blue crystals like blue lace agate are thought to help balance communication and bring harmony to the Throat Chakra. Look to each of AromaWeb's individual Chakra pages listed below for information on the crystals associated with each chakra.

Working with a Singing Bowl

Photo of singing bowl that can be used in conjunction with essential oils to help balance the chakras

Tibetan singing bowls are generally made of brass. When struck with a mallet, they emit a melodic tone representing a note of a musical scale. When the side of the mallet is rubbed against the lip of the singing bowl, the bowl sings in that same musical frequency. If you are familiar with making wine glasses "sing" at different musical pitches by adding or subtracting water, it's very much the same principle. Each of the chakras has an associated musical sound (i.e. the musical note "D" and the sound "Ohm" for the Sacral Chakra). Look to each of AromaWeb's individual Chakra pages listed below for information on the musical notes and tones associated with each chakra.

Symbols of the seven chakras used in aromatherapy

The Seven Primary Chakras

The Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Energy and Stability

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 (Svadhishthana)

Sensuality and Pleasure

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 (Manipura)

Strength and Determination

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 (Anahata)

Love and Sincerity

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 (Vishuddha)

Communication and Creativity

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 (Ajna)

Intuition and Lucidity

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 (Sahasrara)

Knowledge and Consciousness

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

Chakra and Aromatherapy Guide Sections:

Books that Include Information Regarding the Essential Oils and Chakras:

Book Cover for Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Compassionate Healing with Essential Oils
Author: Joni Keim Loughran and Ruah Bull
Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques introduces beginners to the concepts of the chakras (the energy centers of the body), subtle energy techniques, and how to incorporate the use of essential oils into energy work.

Book Cover for Aromatherapy for the Soul

Aromatherapy for the Soul
Author: Valerie Ann Worwood
Aromatherapy for the Soul is helpful if you're looking for a deeper introduction into the role that aromatherapy and aromatic botanicals play within spirituality in general and within your own personal spiritual practices.