Therefore the word “needle”, as the name suggests is one of the most “needed” (pun intended) article at home. The best example of the importance of needles can be easily seen in the ancient traditional practice of acupuncture.

The word acupuncture is formed by combining two Latin terms namely “acus” meaning needles and “punctura” meaning insertion or penetration. Just like many other alternative therapies like ayurveda and yoga, acupuncture is a reminder of the vast knowledge of the east. China, where this practice originated is as prominent on the world map as USA or any other country for that matter. In ancient China the human body was considered to be formed of channels through which energy could be absorbed and liberated. The key to understanding the dynamics behind the process of acupuncture is the concept of yin and yang. According to the Chinese the human body had two types of energies flowing through it namely the “yan” which is the positive energy flowing in the body and the “Yin” which is its systematic counterpart. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance between the respective energies and helps the body get rid of many problems like asthma, cholesterol and even infertility.

The Chinese also believed that the human body had certain points which corresponded with their astronomical readings. Although there are no structured researches which prove the existence of these acupuncture points but the contrary has also not been proven. But what has been proven is that acupuncture affects many other parts and processes of the body. It affects the lymph nodes, cholesterol and sugar levels along with triglyceride. By applying pressure to certain points on the body acupuncture helps in strengthening and balancing the vital energy of the body making it one of the most loved of all the alternate medicine practices. The last decade has seen the renaissance of this practice. People are not only resorting to this practice in their efforts to adopt a drug free life but are taking their pets to the practitioners of this ancient art. Even after 5000 thousand years of its birth acupuncture has not received many changes. The modern form of acupuncture still utilizes the same 649 pressure points that have been systematically listed by the members of the Tisn dynasty (618-917 A.D). It’s just that needles of sticks and stones have been replaced by sterilized titanium and in some cases even gold and silver.

In the last decade acupuncture has developed as a practice that can be used for the following purposes:

1. To alleviate pain
2. To reduce weight
3. To treat asthma
4. To treat infertility
5. To quit smoking
6. For facial rejuvenation
7. To prevent back pain
8. To help arthritis patients
9. To strengthen the immune system
10. To calm the nervous system

This traditional Chinese medicine is becoming so popular these days that many insurance companies around the world are covering acupuncture procedures in their policies. Maybe next time before you take a pain killer, explore the alternative way to ease the pain and reap the benefits of the age old Chinese tradition.

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Photo credits: ggvic on flickr.

3. Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)
The Manipura chakra located in the area of the navel is associated with will and power.
Physical imbalances may include: Problems of the diaphragm, kidneys, respiratory system, hormonal & digestive systems, ulcers and gallstones. Basil is good for the nervous system, intestinal antiseptic and digestion. Bergamot has antidepressant and calming properties and is good for the stomach.

Other Essential oils like carnation, gold chamomile, fennel, Juniper, lavender, sandalwood, Ginger and Lemon  will help to strengthen and keep this center protected, relaxing the body and balancing mood swings.

Oils to relax, balance mood swings, protect the solar plexus and increase confidence such as benzoin, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, lemon, mandarin, melissa, palmarosa, sage, myrrh, helichrysum, ylang ylang and sandalwood. Collectively these will help balance and heal issues around stress, self esteem, desire, frustration, fear, guilt and doubt.

4. Anahata (Heart Chakra)
The heart chakra is the power house of the human energy system and the center of love and healing.

Physical imbalances include: stroke, angina, arthritis, heart disease, rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis, carpal tunnel, arm and hand pain, chronic restrictions in the upper back and thoracic area. Eucalyptus is an expectorant, anti-infection and a good tonic. Rose has a calming effect, which helps in calming the nerves, headaches and shock.

Marjoram, orange, rose otto, lavender, benzoin, sandalwood and bergamot will help keep the heart area open and receptive to love, and heal the heart. Essential oils that help to balance love of self and others are rose, geranium, palmarosa, neroli, melissa, hyssop, rosewood, chamomile, ylang ylang, galbanum, angelica and jasmine. Other suitable oils for this chakra include sweet orange, frankincense, himalayan cedarwood, heilchrysum and vetiver. These essential oils can help you to balance and heal emotional issues around grief and loss, emotional heaviness, sadness, feelings of despair and depression or anger turned inward, feelings of lack, loss, less than, never having enough or being good enough or not being quite up to the task of your life, feelings of being unloved, unappreciated, unaccepted, disconnected, restricted, or in some way limited and unable to find your niche in the world.

5. Visuddha (Throat Chakra)
The throat chakra is the center of our communication and rules the neck region including the thyroid, throat, trachea, neck vertebrae and mouth.

Physical imbalances may include: headache, neck tension/pain, ringing ear or tinnitus, thyroid conditions, low immunity to colds and flu, chronic infections, allergic reactions, eye problems, rigid attitudes and various phobias.

Chamomile is soothing, calming, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection. Linden blossom has calming and anti-spasmodic properties.

Other essential oils like benzoin, bergamot, blue chamomile, frankincense, hyssop, lavender, and lemon open communication skills and release stuffed unexpressed emotions that may be trapped.

Oils to enhance communication and creativity include blue chamomile, black pepper, eucalyptus, ginger, jasmine, and myrrh. Helichrysum, frankincense, lavendar, ylang ylang,and petitgrain balance and heal issues around repression of one’s thoughts and feelings, not being able, or feeling safe to speak your truth.

6. Ajna (Third Eye/Brow Chakra)
The third-eye chakra located in our forehead, between the eyes is the key to our wisdom, learning and putting things in perspective.

Physical imbalances may include: pituitary glandular disorders and kidney disease.

Use angelica seed, a general tonic, which encourages inspiration and inner focus. Other essential oils like camphor, eucalyptus, jasmine, lemon, rosemary, frankincense, chamomile blue, sandalwood, clary sage, cedarwood and cypress will help balance: both the right and left hemispheres of the brain, stimulating intuitive thinking and releases rigid, judgmental thoughts.

Oils to stimulate intuition and to clarify the mind such as basil, black pepper, carrot seed, clary sage, fennel, ginger, peppermint and rosemary. Also consider lavender, neroli, petitgrain, spikenard, and ylang ylang which aid in achieving balance and help heal obsessive compulsive thoughts and emotions, recurring nightmares, repetitive unconscious patterns of experience, inability to discern the difference between fact and fantasy, feeling of being ‘out of control’, blocks to creativity, imaginative darkness and inability to focus and manifest your dreams.

7. Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
The Crown Chakra is our connection to our spiritual nature and connects to the central nervous system.

Physical imbalance include: pineal gland disorders, depressive states of mind.

Frankincense will aid in the handling of emotional problems as it is calming and antiseptic as well as an antidepressant. Other essential oils such as myrrh, viola, sandalwood, lavender and spikenard, petitgrain, ylang ylang are also particularly useful in helping issues around memory loss, breakdown of mental faculties for organizing and perceiving material reality, loss of inspiration; and to create balance in these areas in one’s life. Try cedarwood, linden blossom, neroli, and rosewood for opening the mind and dealing with spiritual issues.

*Image Credits : Pictures by Death Poodle, Opacity, wiccked on flickr.

But what many people aren’t aware of is the effect of aromatherapy on the seven major chakras, the entry gates of the aura.

In previous posts, we’ve covered the influences and imbalances of the chakras, touched on some yoga asanas that will stimulate the chakras and even the effect of color on the chakras. Here we delve into another sensory relationship, the effect of aromatheraphy on the seven chakras. As essential oils are highly concentrated and potent substances, using aromatherapy practices can help one can stimulate the chakras, realigning them and bringing them into balance, relieving stress and any negative symptoms.

Emotionally, essential oils that help to ground you, include cedarwood, rosemary, patchouli and vetiver. Rosewood, frankincense, myrrh, helichrysum, ylang ylang will balance and heal issues around community or family, combating a sense of isolation from the group, the sense of not belonging, frustration, rage and blocked passion; and develop, nurture and stabilize your sense of well-being. They encourage us to feel good about our role in society.

2. Svadisthana (Sacral Chakra)
The second chakra known as the sacral chakra is your sensing power station, connecting you to your feeling sensitivities, creative sensibilities or your inner child.

Related physical imbalances may include: lumbar tension, chronic lower back pain, toxic and infectious conditions, kidney and bladder infections, immune disorders, chronic fatigue, cancer and diabetes. Clary sage is a tonic which helps in menstrual problems. Cardamom with its antiseptic and stimulant properties eases abdominal pain by relieving flatulence.

Ylang ylang has antidepressant, aphrodisiac, calming properties and aids confidence. Jasmine, patchouli, tangerine, bergamot, vanilla, sandalwood, nutmeg, oakmoss, cedarwood and rosewood also help to balance  the male/female energies and draw out the creative essence.

Aphrodisiac oils which include such as jasmine, neroli, rose otto, sandalwood, ylang ylang, and also marjoram are suitable here to assist with impotence or lack of sexual drive.

Other suitable oils for this chakra include: vetiver, myrrh, patchouli, petitigrain, sweet orange, and helichrysum. Strengthen your immune system, disperse negativity and heal issues around self esteem, rejection and victimization, toxic environmental conditions, anxiety, fear and worry.

*Image Credits : Pictures by breezeDebris, A30_Tsitika, Eggybird on flickr