Best Herbs and Spices for Each Chakra. How to Use Them

We write about chakras a lot over here. We wouldn’t be doing it if they weren’t so important. Indeed, if chakras are not aligned and balanced, your health probably won’t be either. That’s why today we present you with an ultimate carefully researched list of herbs and spices to use to open each chakra. Along with it, we’ve included ways you can use them.

The following are the best herbs and spices to open each chakra:

Add the herbs of your choice (and chakra necessity) to teas, warm drinks, herb tinctures, dishes, and coffees even. Some spices you can also burn. Whichever you choose, focus on your intention – the chakra you want to balance. Repeat this for as long as it takes.

Disclaimer: Check for Precautions!

Make sure to check for side effects and precaution on the usage of each herb we mention. In some cases, they might not be good for you, especially if you’re taking any other medications. So, research well before deciding on using any of the herbs! Also, no herb should be taken in excessive amounts. Especially if you get enthusiastic about these things like me, you might go overboard with the amounts. Just yesterday I wanted to make a massage oil. I mixed a bunch of essential oils, letting my excitement guide me. I ended up feeling nauseous! So, be mindful of how much you use these herbs.

Before you continue reading, perhaps check which of your chakras are blocked, or overactive. This will give you a good idea of what to focus on.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Root Chakra:

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi said: “It’s always the condition of the root that controls the tree” (Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation).

So, how are you roots? If you want to check to see how well they are doing, we suggest complementing herbs we recommend using here with other ways you can bring your root chakra in balance. That article includes yoga poses, essential oils, mantras, crystals and more.

Herbs and spices for this chakra are: ashwagandha, dandelion root, ginger, garlic, sage, burdock root, chives, frankincense, rosemary, cloves, paprika, pepper, burdock root, chaga mushroom, oatstraw

How to use them

Pick one or more and add them to your tea, or to boiled water. Brew them as you normally do. Also, you can add them to a root-based meal before you meditate. That will do the trick.

• Ashwagandha is said to be great for calming down and reliving stress, insomnia and anxiety. You can mix the powder with ghee, water, honey or any beverage (ice cream, yoghurt, smoothie, etc.) and consume it, ideally in the morning.
• Dandelion root. Great for grounding. You can use it fresh for cooking or dry and ground it and consume it as a tea or coffee substitute.

• Ginger is about empowerment, so great if you’re feeling unsafe and afraid. The most popularly yummy way is to combine it with honey and lemon in warm drinks and teas.
• Garlic. You know this one.
• Paprika. Use it as a seasoning.
• Sage. Smudge yourself and your space with it or drink as tea.
• Burdock root. Peel the outer layer. You can eat it raw, or cook it.
• Chives. You can add it to soups, dips, potatoes, fish, seafood dishes and omelets. (Food Network)
• Frankincense. You can infuse your water with it, or chew it.
• Rosemary. Add it to your meals.
• Cloves. You can make clove water and drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Simply soak two cloves in a glass of water and keeping it overnight. 
• Chaga mushroom. Add the powder to a hot beverage.
• Oatstraw. Add the dried herb (1 oz.) to a quarter of boiling water and let it brew for at least 4 hours. Strain and drink 1-2 cups a day. (New Morning Natural Foods)
• Nutmeg. You can add it to coffee, hot chocolate, tea, warm milk, mulled wine, oatmeal, sprinkle over fruit or as a food seasoning.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Sacral Chakra

We’ve written lots on the sacral chakra. Aside from using the mentioned herbs, to find out how else you can balance it for creativity, emotional stability, healthy sexuality and everything else it entails, go here and here.

The herbs and spices are: damiana, ylang ylang, seeds, nuts, cinnamon, coriander, licorice, sesame seeds, turmeric, vanilla, hibiscus, gardenia, raspberry leaf, ginger, licorice, mint, saffron, bay leaf, yarrow, rose hips, calendula, gardenia

How to use them

As this chakra is linked to your creativity, the more creative you get with using these herbs, the better. However, if you’re chakra is pretty blocked, tapping into that creative place might be challenging. That’s why we suggest trying out the following recipes first. And once you develop a palate for what you like, go ahead and experiment.

• Damiana. You can drink it as tea up to 3 times a day.
• Ylang Ylang – you can burn it.
• Seeds and nuts. Add them to your dishes, oatmeal or eat raw.
• Cinnamon. So many ways! Add to food, drinks, desserts, etc.

• Licorice, known as herb of beauty, domination, and lust has long been used in spell work. (A Brighter Wild). You can take it in herbal tinctures, or chew on its roots.
• Sesame seeds were mentioned in early Hindu legends. They represented the symbol of immortality (This Is Amber). You can have them raw, bake or toast them.
• Ginger. See root chakra.
• Rose hips. Use them fresh or dry in teas, or warm beverages. 1-2 tsp. is enough for one cup.
• Turmeric. A teaspoon is enough to flavor a dish for four. However you use it, always add a bit of black pepper to it because turmeric needs piperine to activate its properties.
• Cumin. It’s best to use whole cumin seeds. You can fry them in oil before adding other ingredients to your meal.

• Cardamom. Also good to fry in oil at the beginning of making a dish. Usually 2-6 whole pods is enough.
• Coriander. You can use it when preparing food in the same way as cumin and cardamom. If adding it to sauces, grind it right before.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra

Again, a great test way to test if your Solar Plexus Chakra needs balancing, is to go here and check for symptoms. And if you find you struggle with self-esteem, here’s what to do about it. And if you’re a people-please, this article is for you. Lastly, since this chakra is associated with ego, check here what makes a healthy and balanced ego and how to build one, because you definitely need one to thrive in life.

The herbs and spices are: lemongrass, milk thistle, chamomile, ginger, saffron, musk, sandalwood, ginger, cinnamon, anise, cumin, fennel, turmeric, rosemary

How to use them

• Lemongrass. Powdered or not, you can add it to curries, marinades, grilled meats or sauces. 
• Milk thistle. You can toss the leaves and flowers in salads, or use it instead of spinach. The seeds you can roast to use as a coffee substitute.
• Chamomile. Tea, definitely make a tea from it.
• Ginger. See the Root Chakra.
• Saffron. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Sandalwood. Use it as a flavor to foods and beverages. Or add it to your face wash as an exfoliant.

• Cinnamon. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Anise. Add to soups and stews. You can use it whole or ground.
• Cumin. See the Root Chakra.
• Fennel. You can crush or grind the whole seeds just as you’re about to add them to your cooking or tea. Or you can crush 1 tsp of them and pour hot water over for tea.
• Turmeric. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Rosemary. See the Root Chakra.
• Nutmeg. See the Root Chakra.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Heart Chakra

Combine the following herbs with these pranayama, yoga and meditation techniques to keep this chakra in balance. And since the heart chakra is associated with feeling empathy and compassion for self and others, go here to learn how to develop a healthy dose of empathy to open this chakra.

Herbs and spices are: rose, hawthorn berry, lavender, rooibos, orange, jasmine, motherwort, chamomile, damiana, honeysuckle, rooibos, hibiscus, marjoram, basil, cilantro, moringa, sage, thyme, green teas, hawthorn berry.

How to use them

• Rose. It’s great for clearing out heavy emotions from the chest area. The easiest is to make tea with it- take a couple of rose petals and pour hot water over it. Other options are making an elixir or a tincture.
• Lavender. You can make tea or lavender water. Boil a cup of water, and pour it over 2 tbsp. of fresh or dried lavender flowers. Cover it and leave it for a couple of hours.

• Orange. Great in winter salads, mulled wine, punches and with some types of meat. Or just eat raw.
• Jasmine. You can inhale it. Drink as tea or add to sweet dishes.
• Chamomile. See the Solar Plexus Chakra.
• Damiana. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Hibiscus. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Marjoram. Great addition to vegetables, salads and salad dressing, meat.

• Sage. See the Root Chakra.
• Green teas. Clear that.
• Hawthorn berry
• Cardamom. See the Sacral Chakra.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Throat Chakra

To discover ways to express your true authentic self by balancing this chakra, check this post. And since it’s directly related to how good of a communicator you are, see here how meditation and yoga can help you improve your communication skills.

Herbs and spices are: slippery elm, sage, clary sage, chamomile, red clover blossom, lemon balm, eucalyptus, coltsfoot, peppermint, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme

How to use them

• Slippery elm.  Use ground slippery elm bark in tea.
• Sage. See the Root Chakra.
• Chamomile. See the Solar Plexus Chakra.
• Eucalyptus. Use ground leaves for tea. Or add the whole leaves to your bath.
• Peppermint. Chop them into salads, cooked vegetables, or sprinkle over fruits. Make tea by pouring hot water over a couple sprigs. You can even freeze this tea into ice cubes and add them to summer drinks.
• Lemongrass. You can add it to soups, stews or any types of drinks. You can use their leaves fresh, dried or ground.
• Rosemary. See the Root Chakra.
• Nutmeg. See the Root Chakra.
• Thyme. See the Throat Chakra.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Third Eye Chakra

You can find a detailed article on 10 ways to balance this chakra here.

The herbs and spices are: passionflower, sandalwood, sage, mint tea, eyebright, jasmine, holy basil (tulsi), rosemary, lemon balm, mugwort, poppy, spearmint, dill, thyme, lavender, kava kava, poppy seeds

How to use them

• Passionflower. Add it dried to boiling water to make tea.
• Sandalwood. See the Solar Plexus Chakra.
• Sage. See the Root Chakra.
• Mint. Make tea or mint water. For mint water, you need ¼ cup mint leaves and 1 cup boiling water and allow it to seep for 15 minutes. Add a couple of and wait the water to cool down. Then add 6 cups of cold water. Keep in the fridge for an hour before drinking it.
• Jasmine. You can inhale it or use it in tea.
• Holy basil (tulsi). You can eat the leave raw, if you like the taste. If not, tea is a good option.
• Rosemary. See the Root Chakra.
• Dill. You can add the leaves or seeds to any kind of dishes. You can also make dill water. Add 2 tsp. of crushed dill seeds to 1 cup of boiling water and let it steep it until it starts boiling. Sieve before drinking.
• Thyme. See the Heart Chakra.
• Lavender. See the Heart Chakra.
• Kava kava. Since it’s very potent and tastes strong, put a small amount in juices or other drinks.
• Poppy seeds. Add them to food, sweet or savory.

Herbs and Spices for Balancing the Crown Chakra

Aside from using herbs, here are 10 more ways to balance this chakra.

The herbs and spices are: lavender, lotus, myrrh, clary sage, violets, gotu kola, frankincense, basil, mint, rosemary, lemon Balm, calendula, bergamot, copal, garlic, juniper, sage

How to use them

• Lavender. See the Heart Chakra.
• Lotus. Add the roots to soups and stews. Drink at in teas, or use its powder for our face. Mix it with water or raw milk and apply on your face. wash after 15 minutes. (Amazon)
• Violet. Make a balm from the leaves. You also make jelly and vinegar from it. Put them in salads, or steep the flowers to make a tea. (Vintage Kitchen Vixen)
• Basil. See the Heart Chakra.
• Mint. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Rosemary. See the Root Chakra.
• Calendula. See the Sacral Chakra.
• Bergamot. Use leaves as a flavoring.
• Garlic. Any way you normally do.
• Gotu kola. See the Root Chakra.
• Sage. See the Root Chakra.
• Nutmeg. See the Root Chakra.
• Frankincense. See root chakra.

Two Birds With One Stone

Here are recipes great for balancing several chakras at once:

Aroma coffee. you need 5 teaspoons of instant coffee, 4 dl water, one tbsp. of ground ginger, 5 crushed cardamom pods, 1/2 tsp. of whole black pepper, 2 cloves, and brown sugar, if you wish. Mix all the ingredients, except for coffee, in water until it boils. Next keep boiling it for another 7 minutes depending on how strong you want your drink to be. Then move it from the stove, pour coffee, mix it and leave it for 5 minutes. Mix it again, sieve in cups and serve warm.

Turmeric drink. 2 oz. of herbal milk, 1/8 tsp. turmeric, 1/8 tsp. ginger, 1/10 tsp. cinnamon, honey (to taste) and 3 drops of vanilla extract. Mix all the ingredients in a small pot. Let it heat on mild fire and stir frequently with a whisk for 5 minutes. Serve warm. (Yummly)

Chai Latte. For two: 1 cup milk, 1 cups water, 2 tbsp. sugar or honey, 1/4 tsp. cardamom, 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. cloves, white pepper, and 3 tea bags of black tea. Milk, water, (sugar) and spices simmer in a pot or a saucepan for 1 minute. Then remove from heat, place tea bags in, and cover. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Then remove tea bags and serve hot or cold, with ice. (McCormick)

Golden Milk Spice Mix. You need: 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp. turmeric, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom, a pinch of ground black pepper. Simmer the ingredients in a pot for 1 minute and then remove from heat and allow to steep for 5 minutes. (Yummly)

Closing Tips for Opening Your Chakras With Herbs

• As with everything else, you need consistency and repetition. Just like you won’t get muscles after one workout, keep your expectations realistic here too. And keep them proportional to the effort your put into using these spices.
• Journal your results. That’s a good way to notice if anything has changed and, if yes, what exactly.
• Combine these herbs and spices with others ways to balance a specific chakra, which we covered in the other articles we mentioned above.
• And most importantly, have faith!

Tatjana Glogovac, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active

Learn more about Tatjana by reading her bio below.

Click on link below to meet L’Aquila Active’s entire team of experts, including university degrees, certifications, and credentials on yoga and meditation:

MEET OUR EXPERTS HERE