Essential Oils for the Root Chakra (Muladhara)
People have used herbs, resins, and essential oils for physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and energy healing for thousands of years. This includes subtle aromatherapy, which is the use of the vibrational properties of oils to achieve greater well-being. Subtle applications can also support the body’s physical healing because energetic imbalances underly and/or often precede physical issues and symptoms. Therefore, subtle aromatherapy is a wonderful bridge between subtle and conventional medical modalities. It promotes balance, wellness, healing, and well-being. Here’s an introduction to specific essential oils for the root chakra (Muladhara).
See also my eBook on Aromatherapy, Essential Oils For the Chakras
The Root Chakra — Muladhara
The root chakra is also known as the Muladhara chakra in Sanskrit. It’s located at the base of the spinal column, in the groin area between the sex organs and the anus. (See the red light in the diagram above.)
Root Chakra and the Body: The Muladhara or root chakra is associated with the fulfillment of basic needs, physical survival, and safety.
It’s also related to the sense of belonging — belonging to a clan, tribe, ethnic group, or some other group.
Within the body, the root chakra is closely affiliated with structure, bones, the adrenals, and the nervous system. The nose is this chakra’s sense organ.
Balanced Root Chakra:
People with vital and balanced root chakras are grounded, independent, dependable, physically, and financially secure, and tend to thrive.
Unbalanced Root Chakra:
People who have weak or unbalanced root chakras tend to be fearful, anxious, insecure, concerned about their physical or financial security, and hesitant.
Symptoms of An Unbalanced Root Chakra:
Typically, sluggishness and the sense of being stuck is connected to the root chakra. Alienation is another common emotion. Imbalances of the root chakra are associated with physical manifestations of the bladder, prostate, testicles, lower intestines and rectum, knees, legs, and lower back.
Essential Oils and the Root Chakra
Selecting Essential Oils for the Root Chakra
Match essential oils to a chakra according to the energetic, emotional, mental, and physical attributes of the chakra. But, when selecting them for an individual, choose them based on how the imbalance in that particular chakra manifests within that person.
Alternatively, select the essential oils according to the specific situation or intention. The fact that several chakras can be unbalanced at once, can complicate the selection of appropriate oils as well. So, consider this as well.
A specific essential oil isn’t always good for a particular chakra imbalance. For example, vetiver is not always helpful when working with the root chakra. It depends on how the imbalance expresses itself, and the specific intentions for the healing.
Essential Oils for the Root Chakra:
The essential oils closely associated with the root chakra tend to be made of heavier molecules and are characterized as base notes (see my blog on fragrance notes), which are deeper, slowly unfolding, long-lasting scents. A shortlist includes:
- Cedar, Atlantic (Cedrus altantica)
- Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
- Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
- Veitver (Vetiveria zizanoides)
Essential oils for the root chakra tend to ground, center, unify, align all chakras, protect, and reconnect one with the earth. Many offer a sense of calm, confidence, and security.
Addressing Different Types of Ungroundedness:
Worry and Over-thinking
Some essential oils are appropriate than the classic root chakra essential oils under certain circumstances. For example, a person who is anxious, excessively worried, overthinking, and sleepless could benefit from Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), or Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) essential oils. Alternatively, coriander (Coriandrum sativum) aids with migraines and nervous exhaustion. See also, my blog post Reduce Overwhelm: Balance Your Root Chakra.
Fear
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Melissa (Melissa officinalis), Ravensara (Ravensara aromatic), and Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) address fear.
Trapped or Stuck
If the person feels trapped or stuck, a nice addition to a blend is Black Pepper (Piper nigrum). It unblocks energy and gets it moving.
To Learn More:
For more on essential oils and the root chakra, see my:
- Starchaser eBook: Aromatherapy, Essential Oils and the Chakras.
- Starchaser FREE guided meditation: Ground, Relax and Clear the Mind
- blog Reduce Overwhelm: Balance the Your Root Chakra
- Natural Healing and Wellness Workshops
