Health & Wellness
Crystals, Essential Oils, and Chakras
When someone has just experienced a natural healing therapy for the first time there is a deep connection when some element of the natural world contacts the body’s energy system. These new students of natural healing are always eager to learn more because they have gotten a taste of the reality that healing is within their grasp.
The next level of the healing excitement comes when individuals start learning how to combine different sources of healing energy, for example, chakras and aromatherapy with essential oils.
In the Western world, the body’s energy system is still being explored and accepted in traditional therapy practices. However, in the East, the energy system was mapped out and used to maintain and promote health for thousands of years.
In Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest studies of medicine, the human body is powered by life force energy called prana. Prana is made up of 5 elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. In the body, these 5 elements are managed by three forces: kapha, pitta, and vata.
For the purposes here, the exact meaning of each of these elements and forces isn’t necessary. What is important is understanding that all of Ayurvedic medicine in built on keeping balance between the elements and how they are used by the forces.
A body in balance can keep itself healthy by taking on whatever challenges might come along, while a body out of balance can be susceptible to disease. To maintain this balance, Ayurvedic medicine supplements the body through food, plants, and essential oils. 1
Another ancient medicine system is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM has been practiced for approximately 2,500 years and came about 500 years after Ayurvedic medicine.
TCM learned and built upon Ayurvedic medicine and also believes in a basic system of elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. They believe the body is deeply connected to nature and powered by a life force energy called qi (or chi.)
Practitioners of TCM believe the qi circulates throughout the body using an intricate system of energy meridians. Blockages in the meridians stop energy from flowing and can leave the body vulnerable to disease. If the movement of the energy is restored, the body becomes healthy.
The body’s energy meridians have been mapped out in great detail. This map and the energy system nodes are still used in acupuncture and other energy healing practices today.
The heart of the meridian systems is the chakras. In TCM, Ayurvedic, and many other cultural healing practices, it is thought that seven energy centers or chakras lie along the spine and go up through the brain. 2
The word “chakra” means wheel in Sanskrit. The chakras are depicted as spinning wheels of energy. Different practices have slightly different concepts of the chakras, but they are thought to pull energy from the body and radiating it to the environment surrounding the individual. Additionally, if the need arises, they can pull in energy from the world or the people in the surroundings. Essentially, chakras are thought to be an energetic connection to the world. 3
If energy is seen as being a life force fuel, then it makes sense why keeping the energy flowing between these points is so important. There are many ways and practices to help the body’s energy system keep flowing freely.
Highlighted below is how this balance can be maintained using crystals and essential oils.
In general, working with crystals and essential oils isn’t complicated, and there are many choices and combinations. When choosing to work with alternative healing practices, the first thought of an individual should be that the body will heal or become stronger through the action.
Both crystals and essential oils are complex natural creations. Their vibration, scent, and visual beauty can have a wide range of effects on several different chakras.
The chakra system starts at the bottom of the spine with the root chakra. This chakra resides behind the sacrum. In yoga, this is where the kundalini energy rests. This lowest chakra can be a settling point for heavier energies such as fear, grief, and anger.
Keeping the root chakra clear and free energetically is a bit like keeping the foundation to a house strong: it helps provide everything else in the body and energy system a solid base to work from. The root chakra relates to bones and the skeletal system.
The root chakra is the center of basic needs in the physical plane: shelter, safety, security, a sense of feeling grounded to the earth, a sense of belonging.
Blockages in this chakra might be expressed as feelings of being disconnected, negative, or insecure. Poverty consciousness and many addictions have roots here.
The color of the root chakra is red—warm, fiery, and protective. Choosing a crystal or stone in this color family will be beneficial in helping the chakra, so most red stones and some black ones resonate with the root chakra:
The root chakra is the connection to the Earth. Essential oils that are thought of as earthy scents will resonate with that chakra, as will oils that come from root or trunk of a plant:
The sacral chakra (sometimes called the navel chakra) is located in the abdomen. It is generally thought to be about two inches below the navel. This location aligns with the lower dantian, the body’s most powerful energy storage center in qigong and other ancient practices. The sacral chakra affects sexual organs, as well as the kidneys, bladder, and large intestine.
The sacral chakra relates to creative and sexual capacity, vitality, creativity, desires, and pleasure. While the root chakra is about basic needs, the sacral chakra is the beginning of relating to others and developing healthy emotions.
A blocked sacral chakra might produce relational challenges, excessive shyness, or controlling behavior. Hiding aspects of the self and fear of intimacy can indicate that the sacral chakra needs support.
The color of the sacral chakra is the warm and welcoming color orange. Crystals that have balancing and calming emotional powers can be helpful:
The sacral chakra loves oils which focus on emotional calming and opening:
The solar plexus chakra is linked to ego, personal power, and purpose. It influences digestion, the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestine. This chakra is located above the navel and below the sternum.
Seeing the self as radiant, bright, self-directed, and perhaps even as a leader comes from the energy of the solar plexus chakra. Having energy, motivation, and a sense of humor are characteristics that are strong with a clear solar plexus chakra.
When ego issues create a situation where personal power is abused, then it is likely this chakra requires attention. Excessive anger or a total lack of expressing personal power and self-choice might indicate a blocked or imbalanced solar plexus chakra.
The solar plexus chakra is associated with the color yellow and the energy of the sun:
Oils that balance and help in discernment are helpful for the solar plexus chakra:
The most powerful chakra is the heart chakra. This is the fourth chakra. In the world today, the love and compassion that this chakra provides is more important than ever. This chakra is located at the center of the breastbone, along with the centerline of the body. It relates to the heart, lungs, circulatory system, shoulders, and upper back.
A healthy heart chakra is all about love: love of self, love of others, nature, animals, and the world. This chakra is about love but not possessiveness. The heart chakra love extends outward as well as inward to the self.
Conditions in love might be the first clue that the heart chakra could use additional support. Being controlling, jealous, and fearful in love is rooted in heart chakra blockage.
The colors related to the heart chakra include the healing vibration of green, in addition to the loving power of pink. Crystals and stones in these color families are helpful:
Some essential oils seem to touch or relate to the heart:
The throat chakra is about voice—being able to speak truths, live as true selves, and use words and sounds in a kind, loving way. This chakra is located in the neck and relates to voice, hearing, and the mind. The other chakras up to this point are body and mind centers. This chakra is the first of the spiritual chakras. It benefits the throat, neck, teeth, ears, and thyroid.
This chakra is about communication with gentleness and reliability. The throat chakra is about receiving and expressing what comes from the higher self. Communication goes both ways, so listening with love is an important part of this chakra.
If an individual feels that they’re living a lifestyle that doesn’t coincide with their perception of true self, the throat chakra can likely use some assistance. Feelings of being tongue-tied or using words too harshly might be remedied with applying healing energy to this chakra.
The color associated with throat chakra is blue. Blue stones and crystals can be healing to the throat chakra:
The best essential oils to restore the throat chakra promote seeing and accepting the true self more clearly and comfortably:
The third eye chakra is our seat of intuition—the eye that sees things beyond this plane. Located in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows, this third eye sees beyond the day-to-day world. This chakra is connected to the eyes, face, brain, lymphatic system, and endocrine system.
The third eye is where awareness lives with wisdom, imagination, and the higher self. The energy of the third eye can bring peace, clear direction, and forgiveness in life.
Life can seem overwhelming when intuition isn’t accessed. The third eye chakra helps with this by being a guru within, allowing better access to this institution when balanced.
Oils that relate to clarity and wisdom are helpful here:
As the root chakra is the connection to the earth, the crown chakra is the connection to the above. This chakra is often visualized as being at the top of the head or just above. It supports energy throughout the body.
Energizing the crown chakra is like plugging into universal consciousness.
When the crown chakra is ignored, individuals may feel alienated, lonely, or filled with negativity.
The colors generally associated with the crown chakra are white and purple. All these stones are bright with light and powerful to keep nearby:
This highest chakra relates to high vibration and energy. These oils encourage detachment from the visible world and support connection to what is higher.
Remember that chakra work with essential oils and crystals will be easy, peaceful, beneficial, and even fun. When you visit an essential oil or crystal store, don’t be nervous. Don’t worry about your shopping list. First, just walk around. Pick up this, take a whiff of that, then see how the stone or oil makes you feel. Take your time as you embark on a healing path towards a happier, healthier, and more balanced life.
The next level of the healing excitement comes when individuals start learning how to combine different sources of healing energy, for example, chakras and aromatherapy with essential oils.
Chakras and the Body’s Energy System
In the Western world, the body’s energy system is still being explored and accepted in traditional therapy practices. However, in the East, the energy system was mapped out and used to maintain and promote health for thousands of years.
In Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest studies of medicine, the human body is powered by life force energy called prana. Prana is made up of 5 elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. In the body, these 5 elements are managed by three forces: kapha, pitta, and vata.
For the purposes here, the exact meaning of each of these elements and forces isn’t necessary. What is important is understanding that all of Ayurvedic medicine in built on keeping balance between the elements and how they are used by the forces.
A body in balance can keep itself healthy by taking on whatever challenges might come along, while a body out of balance can be susceptible to disease. To maintain this balance, Ayurvedic medicine supplements the body through food, plants, and essential oils. 1
Energy Systems in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Another ancient medicine system is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM has been practiced for approximately 2,500 years and came about 500 years after Ayurvedic medicine.
TCM learned and built upon Ayurvedic medicine and also believes in a basic system of elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. They believe the body is deeply connected to nature and powered by a life force energy called qi (or chi.)
Practitioners of TCM believe the qi circulates throughout the body using an intricate system of energy meridians. Blockages in the meridians stop energy from flowing and can leave the body vulnerable to disease. If the movement of the energy is restored, the body becomes healthy.
The body’s energy meridians have been mapped out in great detail. This map and the energy system nodes are still used in acupuncture and other energy healing practices today.
The heart of the meridian systems is the chakras. In TCM, Ayurvedic, and many other cultural healing practices, it is thought that seven energy centers or chakras lie along the spine and go up through the brain. 2
Chakra in TCM
The word “chakra” means wheel in Sanskrit. The chakras are depicted as spinning wheels of energy. Different practices have slightly different concepts of the chakras, but they are thought to pull energy from the body and radiating it to the environment surrounding the individual. Additionally, if the need arises, they can pull in energy from the world or the people in the surroundings. Essentially, chakras are thought to be an energetic connection to the world. 3
If energy is seen as being a life force fuel, then it makes sense why keeping the energy flowing between these points is so important. There are many ways and practices to help the body’s energy system keep flowing freely.
Highlighted below is how this balance can be maintained using crystals and essential oils.
Crystals, Essential Oils, and Intentions
In general, working with crystals and essential oils isn’t complicated, and there are many choices and combinations. When choosing to work with alternative healing practices, the first thought of an individual should be that the body will heal or become stronger through the action.
Both crystals and essential oils are complex natural creations. Their vibration, scent, and visual beauty can have a wide range of effects on several different chakras.
Root Chakra
The chakra system starts at the bottom of the spine with the root chakra. This chakra resides behind the sacrum. In yoga, this is where the kundalini energy rests. This lowest chakra can be a settling point for heavier energies such as fear, grief, and anger.
Keeping the root chakra clear and free energetically is a bit like keeping the foundation to a house strong: it helps provide everything else in the body and energy system a solid base to work from. The root chakra relates to bones and the skeletal system.
Attributes
The root chakra is the center of basic needs in the physical plane: shelter, safety, security, a sense of feeling grounded to the earth, a sense of belonging.
Imbalances
Blockages in this chakra might be expressed as feelings of being disconnected, negative, or insecure. Poverty consciousness and many addictions have roots here.
Crystals and Stones
The color of the root chakra is red—warm, fiery, and protective. Choosing a crystal or stone in this color family will be beneficial in helping the chakra, so most red stones and some black ones resonate with the root chakra:
- Black Tourmaline
- Garnet
- Obsidian
- Ruby
Essential Oils
The root chakra is the connection to the Earth. Essential oils that are thought of as earthy scents will resonate with that chakra, as will oils that come from root or trunk of a plant:
- Black Pepper
- Patchouli
- Vetiver
- Tree Oils: Fir, Spruce, and Cypress
Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra (sometimes called the navel chakra) is located in the abdomen. It is generally thought to be about two inches below the navel. This location aligns with the lower dantian, the body’s most powerful energy storage center in qigong and other ancient practices. The sacral chakra affects sexual organs, as well as the kidneys, bladder, and large intestine.
Attributes
The sacral chakra relates to creative and sexual capacity, vitality, creativity, desires, and pleasure. While the root chakra is about basic needs, the sacral chakra is the beginning of relating to others and developing healthy emotions.
Imbalances
A blocked sacral chakra might produce relational challenges, excessive shyness, or controlling behavior. Hiding aspects of the self and fear of intimacy can indicate that the sacral chakra needs support.
Crystals and Stones
The color of the sacral chakra is the warm and welcoming color orange. Crystals that have balancing and calming emotional powers can be helpful:
- Amber
- Carnelian
- Citrine (also helps root chakra)
- Jasper
- Topaz
Essential Oils
The sacral chakra loves oils which focus on emotional calming and opening:
- Jasmine (all chakras but especially sacral)
- Orange (also effective with the solar plexus chakra)
- Ylang-Ylang
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra is linked to ego, personal power, and purpose. It influences digestion, the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestine. This chakra is located above the navel and below the sternum.
Attributes
Seeing the self as radiant, bright, self-directed, and perhaps even as a leader comes from the energy of the solar plexus chakra. Having energy, motivation, and a sense of humor are characteristics that are strong with a clear solar plexus chakra.
Imbalances
When ego issues create a situation where personal power is abused, then it is likely this chakra requires attention. Excessive anger or a total lack of expressing personal power and self-choice might indicate a blocked or imbalanced solar plexus chakra.
Crystals and Stones
The solar plexus chakra is associated with the color yellow and the energy of the sun:
- Citrine (also good for sacral chakra)
- Jasper
- Tiger’s Eye
Essential Oils
Oils that balance and help in discernment are helpful for the solar plexus chakra:
Heart Chakra
The most powerful chakra is the heart chakra. This is the fourth chakra. In the world today, the love and compassion that this chakra provides is more important than ever. This chakra is located at the center of the breastbone, along with the centerline of the body. It relates to the heart, lungs, circulatory system, shoulders, and upper back.
Attributes
A healthy heart chakra is all about love: love of self, love of others, nature, animals, and the world. This chakra is about love but not possessiveness. The heart chakra love extends outward as well as inward to the self.
Imbalances
Conditions in love might be the first clue that the heart chakra could use additional support. Being controlling, jealous, and fearful in love is rooted in heart chakra blockage.
Crystals and Stones
The colors related to the heart chakra include the healing vibration of green, in addition to the loving power of pink. Crystals and stones in these color families are helpful:
- Amazonite
- Aventurine
- Malachite (also helps throat chakra)
- Rose quartz (works with all other chakras, especially the crown)
Essential Oils
Some essential oils seem to touch or relate to the heart:
Throat Chakra
The throat chakra is about voice—being able to speak truths, live as true selves, and use words and sounds in a kind, loving way. This chakra is located in the neck and relates to voice, hearing, and the mind. The other chakras up to this point are body and mind centers. This chakra is the first of the spiritual chakras. It benefits the throat, neck, teeth, ears, and thyroid.
Attributes
This chakra is about communication with gentleness and reliability. The throat chakra is about receiving and expressing what comes from the higher self. Communication goes both ways, so listening with love is an important part of this chakra.
Imbalances
If an individual feels that they’re living a lifestyle that doesn’t coincide with their perception of true self, the throat chakra can likely use some assistance. Feelings of being tongue-tied or using words too harshly might be remedied with applying healing energy to this chakra.
Crystals and Stones
The color associated with throat chakra is blue. Blue stones and crystals can be healing to the throat chakra:
- Turquoise (helpful with all chakras)
- Kyanite (also helps third eye chakra)
- Aquamarine
Essential Oils
The best essential oils to restore the throat chakra promote seeing and accepting the true self more clearly and comfortably:
- Frankincense (also helps with crown chakra)
- Lemon
- German Chamomile
- Peppermint
Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra is our seat of intuition—the eye that sees things beyond this plane. Located in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows, this third eye sees beyond the day-to-day world. This chakra is connected to the eyes, face, brain, lymphatic system, and endocrine system.
Attributes
The third eye is where awareness lives with wisdom, imagination, and the higher self. The energy of the third eye can bring peace, clear direction, and forgiveness in life.
Imbalances
Life can seem overwhelming when intuition isn’t accessed. The third eye chakra helps with this by being a guru within, allowing better access to this institution when balanced.
Crystals and Stones
- Celestite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
Essential Oils
Oils that relate to clarity and wisdom are helpful here:
- Lemon (also helps solar plexus chakra)
- Lemongrass
- Sandalwood
- Clary Sage
Crown Chakra
As the root chakra is the connection to the earth, the crown chakra is the connection to the above. This chakra is often visualized as being at the top of the head or just above. It supports energy throughout the body.
Attributes
Energizing the crown chakra is like plugging into universal consciousness.
Imbalances
When the crown chakra is ignored, individuals may feel alienated, lonely, or filled with negativity.
Crystals and Stones
The colors generally associated with the crown chakra are white and purple. All these stones are bright with light and powerful to keep nearby:
- Clear Quartz
- Moonstone
- Amethyst
Essential Oils
This highest chakra relates to high vibration and energy. These oils encourage detachment from the visible world and support connection to what is higher.
- Cedarwood
- Helichrysum
- Lime
- Rose
- Spikenard (helps all chakras)
Conclusion
Remember that chakra work with essential oils and crystals will be easy, peaceful, beneficial, and even fun. When you visit an essential oil or crystal store, don’t be nervous. Don’t worry about your shopping list. First, just walk around. Pick up this, take a whiff of that, then see how the stone or oil makes you feel. Take your time as you embark on a healing path towards a happier, healthier, and more balanced life.
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