How to Use Essential Oils for Wellness
Plant medicine has been used across the ages because of their therapeutic properties. In Aruyveda, (traditional Indian medicine) about 2000 plant species are considered to have medicinal value, while the Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists over 5,700 traditional medicines, mostly of plant origins. (Chevallier, 6) In the West, plant medicine is becoming more prevalent due to rising costs of healthcare, an increase in chronic illness, and general poor state of overall health. (Chevallier, 29)
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are “highly concentrated compounds that have been pressed or distilled from plants. They are called essential because they carry the distinctive fragrance or essence of the plant or plant part from which they are made”. (Essential Oils, 16)
Essential oils contain plant chemical compounds so they can affect humans on a physical, mental emotional, and spiritual level. They are great tools for solving everyday issues or for developing achievable states of being. (Covington, 108).
All essential oils are adaptogens- which means they promote a balancing reaction in the body, improving its ability to overcome stress and fatigue that contribute to disease. (Essential Oils, 18). Many essential oils also have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-sceptic, and anti-biotic properties. Because of their many benefits, essential oils can be used to treat a wide range of conditions including depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and skin conditions (to name a few).
Balancing Chakra Energy Centers with Essential Oils
It is well known and scientifically provable that everything on earth is made up of energy. Ancient Vedic knowledge tells us that in the human body, this vital energy moves in discretely defined channels, and there exist concentrations of energy in the midline of the body. These centers, or wheels of energy, are called chakras, and each of these centers resonates with a core human need. (Covington, 61)
Chakra Centers and their correlations to human needs
Root Chakra: The center for basic survival
Sacral (or Naval) Chakra: The center for creativity, connection, acceptance, and sexuality
Solar Plexus Chakra: The center for self-esteem and self-confidence
Heart Chakra: The center for compassion, kindness, love, and relationships
Throat Chakra: The center for communication
Third Eye Chakra: The center for intuition
Crown Chakra: The center for access for higher consciousness and unlimited potential
(Lembo, p35-196)
Plants, each with their own unique signatures can be used to balance the chakras in the body. Though not a complete list of oils that help balance the chakra energy centers, here are my favorites:
MY Top 10 Essential Oils for Chakra balancing
Root Chakra: Patchouli, Fir Tree
Sacral (or Naval) Chakra: Clary Sage, Rose, Patchouli
Solar Plexus Chakra: Lavender, Grapefruit, Lemon, Geranium
Heart Chakra: Lavender, Geranium, Rose
Throat Chakra: Lavender, Eucalyptus
Third Eye Chakra: Lavender
Crown Chakra: Lavender, Sandalwood
How to use essential oils
Aromatically
Aromatherapy is the practice of using natural aromatic substances, including essential oils, for their physical and psychological benefits. (Essential Oils, 17) Essential oils used aromatically using a diffuser, direct inhalation, or through hot water vapor (steam). When essential oils are inhaled, “the chemical constituents work on a deep level through the olfactory nerve and the limbic system. (Lembo, 23)
Absorption
When used topically, essential oil constituents absorb directly into the bloodstream through the skin. You can apply essential oils directly to the skin either neat (without a carrier oil) or via a carrier oil (for safer absorption). Because some oils can cause skin sensitivity or irritation if applied neat, you should always research your specific oil to determine if it can be applied neat. Topical applications can be via direct area application, massage, or via a bath.
how to use essential oils in the bath
Using essential oils in a hot bath provides essential oil benefits via aromatherapy (inhaling the essential oil constituents through the steam) and through absorption. Through scent and absorption, the chemical components bypass other more conscious avenues of healing, effectuating, and activating the healing process”. (Lembo, 23) In addition, Lembo (p27) says that when used in bathwater, essential oils can change the energetic qualities of bathwater. Try coupling all the benefits of essential oils with your own intentions (thoughts or words) to create a powerful energetic synergy capable of transforming your mind, body, and soul.
Note: If you are creating your own essential oil bath, know that essential oils are not water soluble, so you must use a stabilizing base in your bath. Common stabilizing bases are carrier oils (I like almond or coconut oil), salt, or milk.
Essential Oil-Infused Bath Soaks for holistic Wellness
Ready to start your path to wellness by using essential oils in your bath? Try one of our essential oil-infused bath soaks, each formulated to bring the energetic shift you seek:
Bathtisma Essential Oil-Infused Bath Soaks for Chakra Balancing
references
Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. p6, p29. New York, Penguin Random House, Third American Edition, DK Publishing, 2016.
Covington, Candice. Essential Oils in Spiritual Practice, Working with the Chakras, Divine Archetypes, and the Five Great Elements. p61, p108. Rochester, Vermont. Toronto, Canada. n.d.
Essential Oils Natural Remedies, The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing. P16. New York, Fall River Press, 2015.
Godfrey, Heather Dawn. Essential Oils for the Whole Body, The Dynamics of Topical Application and Absorption. Pxi. Vermont, Healing Arts Press. n.d.
Lembo, Margaret Ann. Chakra Awakening, Transform Your Reality Using Crystals, Color, Aromatherapy & the Power of Positive Thought. (p23, p27, p35-196) Woodbury, Minnesota. Llewellyn Publications, 2020.
