Meaning “wheel” or “disk” in Sanskrit, chakras are swirling energy centers in the body. There are seven main chakras that exist along the spine, from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each of them corresponds to different systems and parts of the body, as well as emotions. When our chakras are open and balanced, we are in more optimal emotional and physical states.
The Heart Chakra: The Fourth Chakra
The heart chakra, also known as the “anahata” chakra, is the fourth of these seven energy centers of the body. It is the central one, linking our lower chakras which connect us to our bodies and the earth, to the higher chakras which connect us to the heavens. And indeed, the heart is the gateway to the heavens.
This energy center is associated with the color green and is located in the center of the chest. It is associated with the heart, lungs, shoulders, arms, hands, breasts, and circulatory system.
When our heart chakra is open, we feel love, connection, gratitude and compassion. If you are feeling closed off, working with this chakra will help you to open again.
Here are some plant allies that can powerfully assist you in opening your heart chakra…
Foods for the Heart Chakra
Green Foods: Since green is the color associated with this chakra, any green foods will help open this center. This includes any green leafy vegetables, broccoli and green culinary herbs such as basil, cilantro and parsley.
Chocolate: Chocolate is a heart-opener and brings feelings of pleasure. The best form of chocolate to consume for the fourth chakra is raw cacao. For this reason, drinking cacao in ceremony is known to powerfully work on the heart.
Heart-Opening Guacamole Recipe
Here is a recipe for all of you fellow guacamole lovers, like me. It includes kale and raw cacao for an added boost of nutrition and heart-opening.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe avocados
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander
- 1/4 red onion diced
- 1/2 cup chopped red Russian kale leaves
- 1 Tablespoon cacao nibs
- Juice of 1 lime (or more, to taste)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut avocados vertically into quarters, remove pit, then cut horizontally (but not through the skin) so that they can come out as cubes.
- Peel the skin so that the avocado can slip out. You may need to use a spoon to scrape out the remains.
- Toss into a large bowl.
- Use a masher or a large spoon and mash to desired texture.
- Stir in lime juice, sea salt, black pepper, tomatoes, onions, garlic, cacao nibs, coriander and kale.
- Serve and enjoy!
Essential Oils for the Heart Chakra
Diffuse these oils in your room, put a few drops in your bath, use them to create a spray bottle, or create a body oil with a base like jojoba or sweet almond oil to receive their benefits…
Rose: Roses carry and emit the energy of love, and have the highest vibrating scent out there. Its effect is calming as well as elevating. Rose is excellent for emotional soothing, is an anti-depressant and helps with stress-related conditions.
Geranium: Similar to rose, this essential oil offers heart-healing and the energy of love. It is great for stress-related conditions, is an anti-depressant and helps to balance emotions. Use this oil to encourage inner balance.
Neroli: This essential oil is calming, uplifting and refreshing. It is a relieving treatment for shock, anxiety and depression, and its relaxing quality helps with heart conditions arising from tension. Neroli is also an aphrodisiac and encourages a sense of romance and sensuality while opening the heart to love.
Chamomile: Chamomile is a “mother” herb that helps you to release any resistance you may have inside. It is widely known for its calming properties and helps with anxiety and insomnia. Use chamomile to receive its gentle soothing and to let go and open up.
Lemon Balm: Also known as Melissa, this plant is said to “make the heart merry”. It is calming and helps to soothe emotions, yet has a childlike and cheerful quality that is uplifting. It helps heal a broken heart and encourages self-love.
Myrrh: Myrrh is a powerful plant to use for soothing grief during times of crisis or loss. It is stimulating and strengthening. Use it for chronic coughs and other lung conditions. You can pair it with uplifting citrus scents like orange or lemon to enhance its healing effects on the heart and emotions. It also famously pairs well with powerfully healing frankincense.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus has a refreshing, revitalizing scent and helps to purify. It is widely known to help clear the lungs, and is a great remedy for congestion in the chest. Use it in a diffuser to help open up this part of the body.
Herbs for the Heart Chakra
Rose: As mentioned above, rose carries the energy of love and is powerfully healing for the heart. Drink rose tea or sprinkle rose petals over a beverage of choice for some added rose magic.
Lemon Balm: Also as mentioned above, lemon balm is calming and cheering and excellent for the heart chakra. It makes a refreshing and sweet tea, with minty and citrusy flavors.
Hawthorn Leaves and Berries: The magical hawthorn tree, said to be strongly associated with faeries, is a member of the rose family. It heals the heart on all levels – physical, emotional and spiritual. The leaves and berries are an excellent circulatory and heart tonic, and they also treat anxiety, especially when it includes a feeling of panic and heart palpitations.
Motherwort: As its name implies, this is a “mother” herb that is calming and soothing, and is great for treating anxiety. Its Latin name is “leonurus cardiaca”, which means “lion heart”. It is an effective heart tonic and is used for mild heart disorders, high and low blood pressure, and palpitations caused by thyroid conditions and anxiety. Take motherwort as a tea or tincture to receive its benefits.
Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment below if you have given any of these plant allies a try, or if you have any other tips!
Love,
Ellie
