The crown chakra, Sahasrara, sits at the top of the head. It’s considered the seventh primary chakra, and is the apex of the life force flow throughout the energy body. This is the chakra of spirituality. When it’s open and balanced, it allows us to connect to the ether, higher intelligence, and the Divine.
Like any other chakra, Sahasrara may become blocked or unbalanced. When a blockage happens, it can manifest as feelings of isolation, lack of connection to others, or being spiritually “cut off.”
Some people may even experience physical dizziness or headaches. When Sahasrara is overstimulated, people may easily latch onto gurus, exhibit spiritual bypassing, or a preoccupation with spiritual cleanliness. Since it’s the seventh chakra, a blockage won’t impact energy flow to the other chakras, but its symptoms can still be distressing.
Fortunately, there are herbs and essential oils that can help open this energy center, restore its balance, and allow the user to re-establish their connection to the spiritual realm.
Here are some of the best herbs and essential oils for opening, healing, and balancing the crown chakra:
1. Benzoin
Benzoin is a resin of the Styrax benzoin tree. As an oil, it has a sweet fragrance reminiscent of vanilla, wood, and spice. It’s used for calming, comforting, and grounding, as well as to improve focus during meditation.
The raw resin is a delightful incense when burned on charcoal tablets. You can also dilute the essential oil into a neutral carrier oil to create an anointing or massage oil for the crown chakra area.
See also: Check out Benzoin essential oils here.
2. Frankincense
Frankincense oil comes from trees of the Boswellia genus, and is regarded as the “king of oils.” It’s a sacred ingredient, able to cleanse negative energy while attracting prosperity, abundance, and joy.
For the crown chakra, dilute the essential oil in a neutral carrier, and massage the crown of the head. Frankincense resin also makes a wonderful incense for meditation rooms and other sacred spaces.
See also: Check out Frankincense essential oils here.
See article: Frankincense: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
3. Helichrysum
Helichrysum flowers, also known as immortelles, are related to sunflowers. They yield a fragrant essential oil that’s said to have a very high spiritual vibration. When used for the crown chakra, it can help the user work through limiting beliefs and access higher spiritual wisdom.
For those whose blockages or imbalances manifest as headaches, this oil may also help with pain. Dilute it into a neutral carrier oil, and use it to anoint the temples or massage the crown of the head.
See also: Check out Helichrysum essential oils here.
4. Lavender
Lavandula augustifolia is an all-purpose herb and oil that can help heal and balance all chakras, but the bright violet color of its flowers tie it to Sahasrara.
While the crown chakra is said to be colorless, resonating with the colors of all chakras, it’s often represented by the color purple or white. Dilute the essential oil in a neutral carrier, and use it to massage the crown area. You can also consume lavender in tea or foods.
See also: Check out Lavender essential oils here.
See article: Lavender: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
5. Lotus
Lotus is a natural choice for the crown chakra. All of the chakras are represented by a lotus flower of a unique color, and Sahasrara is a white or violet thousand-petaled lotus.
These flowers are also considered sacred to ancient cultures in their native ranges. The roots and seeds may be consumed as food, but the flowers are used to produce a floral, slightly fruity essential oil.
Dilute the oil well in a neutral carrier, and use it to anoint or massage the crown of the head.
See also: Check out Lotus essential oils here.
6. Palo Santo
Palo Santo, or “holy wood,” is the aromatic wood of Bursera graveolens. It’s a sacred wood with a very high spiritual vibration, sometimes used to cleanse and establish sacred space, during shamanic ceremonies, and for healing.
As a sacred plant, it’s tied to Sahasrara. Use the essential oil in aromatherapy (be cautious with diffusers around pets and small children, as some oils can be dangerous for them), or burn the wood as incense.
Due to its popularity, Palo Santo is sometimes illegally trafficked. If you purchase it, be sure it was harvested ethically.
See also: Check out Palo Santo essential oils here.
7. Rose
Members of Rosa are typically considered heart chakra herbs, but rose essential oil is regarded as one of the highest-vibration oils there is. Rose is also associated with all forms of love — not just love for the self and others, as evinced by the heart chakra, but unconditional divine love as well.
The highest-quality natural rose oils are termed “rose otto,” “attar of rose,” or “rose absolute.” Dilute a small amount in a neutral carrier oil, like jojoba, castor, or sunflower seed, and massage the crown of the head.
Rose petals also make flavorful additions to teas, beverages, and desserts.
See also: Check out Rose essential oils here.
See article: Rose: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
8. Spikenard
Spikenard oil comes from Nardostachys jatamansi, a relative of valerian. It contains sesquiterpene compounds, which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and contribute to relaxation and restful sleep.
Like helichrysum oil, it may also relieve headache pain. It’s also considered a sacred oil, akin to frankincense. Craft your own anointing oil by diluting a few drops in a neutral carrier oil, and using it to massage your temples and the top of your head.
See also: Check out Spikenard essential oils here.
9. Tulsi
Tulsi, or holy basil, is a sacred cleansing and adaptogenic herb. It’s said to remove evil and negative energy. When used as a supplement, it’s purported to adjust its effects based on the needs of the user.
Since Sahasrara is tied to all herbs considered cleansing or sacred, this medicinal plant is ideal for clearing and balancing this energy center. Tulsi is commonly consumed as a tea, but can also be used in supplement form.
See also: Check out Tulsi essential oils here.
10. Valerian
Valeriana officinalis is a flowering relative of spikenard. Unlike spikenard, valerian is best known for the strong, objectionable scent of its roots.
The smell aside, this herb is a fantastic supplement for relaxation and sleep, and its purple flowers tie it to the crown chakra. This herb may be best used in supplement form, right before bed. It can be very sedating.
See also: Check out Valerian essential oils here.
11. Honorable Mention: Dark fruits
The crown chakra can be balanced or healed with foods that are naturally purple or violet. This makes many fruits perfect for healing, opening, and balancing Sahasrara. Blackberries, black raspberries, plums, and dark grapes are high in antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative stress, and tied to the crown chakra by their color.
Add some dried berries to a tea made with crown chakra herbs, like lavender and dried blackberries, or eat them raw. They’re a healthy choice that’s good for your physical body and your energy body.
The crown chakra is the gate where the life force can connect to the Divine. When everything is working well, we are at peace — energy is flowing properly through the other chakras, and we are able to feel connected to the world around us and the spirit realm, and acknowledge the innate spirits of other beings.
With these herbs and oils, you can ensure that your crown chakra is open, healthy, and balanced.
Related article: Crown Chakra Healing: Opening, Blockage, Signs & Symptoms.
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