Plants have been applied as medication for thousands of years…
… to treat numerous conditions, to receive wisdom and aid us to get in touch with nature.
Healing qualities of various plants are mentioned in ancient manuscripts,
… some from the year 2500 BC.
In India, there are numerous Vedas that talk about curing illness with the help of plants and herbs.
Many of the herbs that I listed in this article could be used in different ways to heal not only the physical body but the spiritual one as well.
Some can be incensed and smudged during meditation, used for tea to heal and calm our bodies, used for their essential oil properties.
Lavender, for example, can be used for aromatherapy or as a tea or you could simply ingest its essential oil.
Be careful to use an essential oil strictly dedicated to internal use when choosing the latter (to ingest it).
I, for one, take 3-6 drops of lavender essential oil (internal use) with a spoon of raw honey every time I have a sore throat or when my respiratory system gets a little clogged before or after the flu.
If you’re not sure whether to ingest it or not please consult your doctor or nutritionist
The seven chakras and how to use plants and foods to heal them
There are seven chakras within our body often referred to as energy centers.
Each corresponds to certain abilities that everyone possesses, be it that she or he is aware of them or not.
Herbs and plants vibrate on a certain frequency that is in harmony with our mind and body.
These vibrational properties can aid in energizing, healing and balancing these seven energetic cores within our body called chakras.
Chakras can regularly become blocked, out of balance.
When this occurs, it disrupts the energy flow inside our bodies which later manifests in physical and emotional issues.
There are various ways you can heal and balance your chakras such as healing crystals or through meditation and sound which I’ve covered in this post here.
In this article, my intention is to see how we can balance out chakras with one of the key ingredients of our existence… food.
Practice self-awareness to identify the blockages you might have and with the help of the appropriate plants, herbs and foods you can recover and maintain a balanced mindset, body, and spirit.
Before we get started, I would like to recommend some excellent tea to savor while you guys dive deep into healing our energy centers through food and herbs post.
The company is called Buddha Teas and they offer a delightful large variety of teas that are USDA certified organic, they come in bleach-free bags, all carefully packed in eco-friendly 100% recyclable boxes.
Check out their all 7 Chakra Teas Bundle.
So, let’s get started!
Before we start I must squeeze in this tip that might help you appreciate more the TEA.
Tip – Do not consume fire
When preparing your favorite tea, try not to use boiling hot water.
In fact, it is recommended that you don’t apply more heat than the sun would normally deliver…
… to the plants you’re brewing.
I always heat the water for my teas to about 60-70 degrees Celsius,
… that is 140-158 degrees Fahrenheit.
You could also brew a tea by leaving the plants in water over night.
The process it’s called cold maceration. Here’s how to do it:
- Take one teaspoon of your favourite plant mix
- Grind them manually or electrical, your choice
- Place that fine plant powder into room temperature water
- Leave the mix overnight
- Or place it in a cool, dark place. Usually between 6 to 8 hours
And that’s it!
Make sure to filter it, and do not leave the plants in if you brew more than one portion.
This might take longer, but this is the best way to take advantage of all the healing properties of those plants.
First or Root Chakra – Muladhara
Situated at the base of the spinal column, Muladhara chakra unites us with to the earth. Earth is where we obtain every essential nutrient important to our survival, it is also where body toxins are discharged.
The root chakra does not simply ground us physically, it additionally grounds us temporally by holding us in the present, in the current moment.
The first chakra tends to be the vulnerable one because it experiences the most blockage and weakness.
Unbalances in the root chakra can cause issues in the feet, legs, tailbone, body immune system.
Below I’ve listed some herbs, plants, and spices that can aid energize and heal any root chakra imbalances.
? Herbs & Spices:
- Ashwagandha
- Dandelion root
- Burdock root
- Ginger root
- Horseradish
- Rosemary
- Cloves
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Chives
Balance it with any RED or dark brown spice, herb or food,
… or any that has an earthy taste.
Beets, tomatoes, red apples, pomegranates, strawberries.
Include root vegetables like carrots, garlic, onion, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips.
Second or Sacral Chakra – Svadhishthana
Svadhishthana lies below the navel close to the abdominal area in between the ovaries (women) and near the prostate gland (men).
The essential top quality of this chakra is passion and pleasure. It governs our creative thinking, intimacy, senses, emotions, and connection.
An out of balance Sacral chakra can result in many disruptions, such as eating disorders, urinary/reproductive system issues, lack of confidence and drive, frustration, depression.
? Herbs & Spices that can help balance Sacral chakra:
- Damiana
- Calendula
- Fennel seeds
- Gardenia
- Licorice
- Hibiscus
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Sesame and Caraway seeds
- Carob
- Coriander
Balance it with any ORANGE colored spice, herb or food.
Any high-water content fruits like melons, oranges, mangoes, passion fruit, peaches, apricots.
Foods, nuts, and seeds rich in Omega-3, like salmon, almonds, flax, sesame, are also beneficial to balance this chakra.
Third or Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura
The Solar Plexus chakra is the power core of emotions. It governs our energy as it is related to our goals and willpower.
If this chakra is blocked, we have a tendency to express unworthiness and poor self-confidence, as well as stomach issues such as ulcers, pains, indigestion.
? Herbs & Spices that can aid in unblocking it:
- Lemongrass
- Fennel
- Rosemary
- Mint (peppermint, spearmint)
- Marshmallow leaf
- Ginger
- Celery
- Lily of the Valley
- Melissa
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Anise
Go YELLOW when it comes to balancing your Solar Plexus chakra.
Bananas, corn, pineapple, lemons.
Foods that offer essential fibers and energy, such as brown rice, oats, rye.
Fourth or Heart Chakra – Anahata
Heart chakra lies down the path to our relationships with others and it creates our own self-worth.
It is the energy core in which we experience love, joy, kindness, and forgiveness for others, also for ourselves.
Having this chakra out of balance can cause anger, jealousy, grief, hatred, heart issues, low energy levels, and low self-esteem.
? Herbs & Spices for the Heart chakra:
- Hawthorn berry
- Jasmine
- Parsley
- Sage
- Rose
- Chamomile
- Basil
- Thyme
- Lavender
- Cilantro
- Marjoram
- Cayenne
GREEN is this chakra color and you can balance it with green, raw foods.
Choose kale, spinach, broccoli, chard, parsley, cucumber, zucchini, peas, avocado, lime, kiwi, spirulina, etc.
Fifth or Throat Chakra – Vishuddha
The fifth chakra is mainly dependable for self-expression and communication.
Having this chakra well balanced our speech comes to be wise, uplifting, and we can accurately transmit our intent.
When the Throat chakra is blocked it can lead to thyroid issues, communication difficulties, misunderstandings, and a stifled voice.
We frequently talk without thinking and have problems genuinely conveying ourselves.
? Herbs & Spices to aid in unblocking the Throat chakra:
- Slippery Elm Bark
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Sage
- Chamomile
- Coltsfoot
- Red Clover blossoms
- Salt
Since Vishuddha chakra color is BLUE you can balance it with blueberries and blackberries.
These two are specifically good sources of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
For healing the Throat chakra think of soothing foods and liquids like raw honey, coconut water, herbal teas with lemon.
Sixth or Third Eye Chakra – Ajna
The sixth chakra or the Brow chakra located on our forehead between the eyes is linked to instinct and the pineal gland.
A well balanced Third Eye chakra enables us to focus, see clearly, and trust our very own instincts.
An imbalanced sixth chakra can result in a lack of guidance or purpose in our life.
Due to its location sustaining the frontal sinuses, eyes, and ears, an unbalance in this chakra can create stress, migraines, fuzzy vision, sleeping disorders, and coordination issues.
? Herbs & Spices that can restore balance for the Third Eye chakra:
- Passion flower
- Eyebright
- Juniper
- Mugwort
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Poppy seeds
- Dill
Third Eye chakra color is purple (dark indigo blue), thus when it comes to food that balances it think purple.
Purple cabbage, eggplant, purple grapes, purple kale, purple carrots.
You can also include cocoa which aids in stress relief because of its high concentration of flavonoids.
Seventh or Crown Chakra – Sahasrara
The Crown chakra located on top of our head, it stands for integrity, spirituality, unity, and understanding.
Strongly spiritual, Sahasrara is all about self-realization.
It concentrates on looking for knowledge and happiness and understanding.
A blocked Crown chakra can produce confusion, insignificance, and detachment.
We feel separated spiritually as if we are living with no guidance or purpose.
It can lead to anxiety, nervous system complications, memory loss, ADD, dyslexia, and in some extreme conditions delusions.
? Herbs & Spices good for Crown chakra:
- Gotu Kola
- Lavender
- Lotus Flower
- Valerian root
- Sage
- All spice
Sahasrara focuses more on contemplative silence, detoxing, and fasting than it does on food.
By fasting and detoxifying you can help develop this chakra as it awakens to the highest form of divine communication.
Incense or smudge herbs and resins like sage, myrrh, copal, juniper can help during meditation.
So, you see?
Typically overlooked, basically, food is one of the greatest healers and preventives of illnesses. It impacts our mood, how we think, and how our bodies operate.
After all, we are what we eat!
Stay well, stay healthy, fly high!
Please note that this article contains affiliate links and, should you decide to purchase we will receive a small commission with no added cost to you.
Thank you for your support!