Do you ever feel like you need a little pick-me-up? Or maybe you're feeling a little out of balance and could use some help getting back on track? Well, we've got the perfect solution for you: aromatherapy-infused skincare! Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to improve your well-being. Each essential oil has different properties that can help with various issues. In this blog post, we'll discuss the scents we offer for our line of aromatherapy bath and body products and how to use each scent to unblock and balance your chakras to find lasting happiness.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy, my dear friends, isn't a new-age fad. It's as ancient as the pyramids of Giza and has been used by civilizations across the globe from time immemorial. Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants for their spiritual rituals, while the Greeks used them to promote health and well-being. It wasn't until the 20th century that this practice was coined as "aromatherapy" by a French chemist named René-Maurice Gattefossé. According to Oils & Plants, after burning his hand in a lab accident and finding relief with lavender oil, he dedicated his life to studying the therapeutic uses of essential oils. Talk about finding your passion in the most unexpected ways!
Now, let's get to the juicy part: the benefits of aromatherapy. Imagine having a tough day at work, you come home, light an aromatic candle or diffuser with lavender oil, and voila! You begin to feel lighter, your stress melting away. That's aromatherapy working its magic for your mental health.
Or perhaps, you've got a headache that's been nagging you all day. You decide to rub a few drops of peppermint oil onto your temples, and suddenly, your headache seems less daunting. That's the power of aromatherapy on your physical health.
But aromatherapy isn't just about dealing with stress or headaches. It can be a gateway to a more balanced and harmonious life. For instance, essential oils like sandalwood or rose can help unblock your chakras, leading to better emotional regulation. Imagine being able to handle life's ups and downs with a calm and composed mind. Sounds heavenly, right?
Incorporating aromatherapy into your daily routine can be as simple as adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your bath or using an oil diffuser in your living room. At The Love U Collective, we use aromatherapy in our skin care to unblock and balance chakras which are energy centers in your body that need to be in balance for you to feel great!
What are Chakras?
Picture this: we're all like a string of fairy lights. Each light represents a chakra - a spinning energy center within us that keeps our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health in perfect harmony. But what happens when one of these lights flickers, dims, or—gulp—goes out? That's where I come in, your friendly neighborhood chakra healer.
So, buckle up, buttercups! We're about to embark on a journey through the seven main chakras, their locations, and the types of issues that can pop up if they get a little out of whack.
Root Chakra (Muladhara)
Color: Red
Natural Element: Earth
Picture the root chakra as your internal anchor, located at the base of the spine. This chakra is associated with feeling grounded and secure. A blocked root chakra can cause feelings of fear, insecurity, anxiety and stress. You may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or low energy. When your root chakra is balanced, you will feel more secure and connected to the world. You will have more energy and a sense of balance. You are likely to be more grounded, relaxed, confident, and focused.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
Color: Orange
Natural Element: Water
Located two inches below the navel, it's the hub of creativity and pleasure. A blocked sacral chakra can make you feel unhappy, angry, and frustrated. It can also make it hard to make decisions or be creative. You might not enjoy activities that you used to like or indulge excessively in pleasures. Physically, you might face reproductive issues or lower back discomfort. When your sacral chakra is balanced, you might feel more creative and passionate. You may also feel happier and more content with yourself and your relationships. You will have a better flow of energy throughout your body, which can help you make decisions more easily, be comfortable in social situations, and be open to new experiences.
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
Color: Yellow
Natural Element: Fire
Positioned around the stomach area, it's your power station associated with self-confidence and power. A blocked solar plexus chakra can cause you to feel insecure, powerless and unable to make decisions. You might become frustrated or unhappy easily and have trouble connecting with other people. Digestive troubles or chronic fatigue could manifest physically. When your solar plexus chakra is balanced, you might feel more confident and powerful. You may also be happier and more content with yourself. You will have a better flow of energy throughout your body, which can help you make decisions more easily, be comfortable in social situations, and be open to new experiences.
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
Color: Green
Natural Element: Air
Positioned at the heart, it embodies love and compassion. A blocked heart chakra can cause some common symptoms many of us have experienced include feeling lonely, having difficulty forgiving people, or not being able to give and receive love easily. You may also feel anxious or sad a lot of the time. Physically, you could experience heart problems or high blood pressure. A balanced heart chakra can help you feel good. It helps with things like feeling happy, having a strong connection to other people, and being able to express love and kindness both to yourself and others.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
Color: Blue
Natural Element: Space
Located at the throat, it represents communication and expression. A blocked throat chakra can cause you to feel like you cannot express yourself. You might not be able to talk about what's on your mind or it may be hard for people to understand what you are saying. You may also have trouble with communication and speaking up for yourself. Physically, you may experience throat or thyroid issues. A balanced throat chakra can make you feel relaxed and in control of what you say. It can help you communicate your thoughts and feelings more easily. You might also be able to express yourself creatively and have a better sense of focus on what's important.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Color: Indigo purple-ish blue
Natural Element: Light
Positioned on the forehead, between the eyebrows, it's the center of intuition and wisdom. A blocked third eye chakra may feel like getting lost in your thoughts often, not being able to focus and make decisions easily, feeling stuck in life and having difficulty seeing the big picture. Physically, you might suffer from headaches or vision problems. A balanced third eye chakra can help you feel more focused and have better understanding. It can also make you more intuitive, help your memory and make it easier to think clearly. You may also have feelings of being calm, creative and open-minded.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
Color: Violet/White
Natural Element: Consciousness / Pure Thought
Located at the top of the head, the crown chakra is associated with understanding the divine connection to yourself, others, and the universe. A blocked crown chakra can cause a person to feel tired, foggy-headed, disconnected from their spirituality, and might have trouble concentrating. hysically, you might have migraines or neurological disorders. When it's balanced, you can feel more peaceful and relaxed. You may also have better concentration and be more creative.
Explore Our Scents and Improve Your Mood
Now that we understand chakras and how aromatherapy works to help you find more happiness, let's explore our aromatherapy collection!
The Comfy AF Collection for Root Chakra Healing
A crisp and refreshing aroma that will bring a hint of the fresh outdoors into your daily skincare routine. This blend of Sage and Sandalwood creates a calming scent that will make you feel relaxed and, dare I say, Comfy AF! Sage and Sandalwood are two essential oils believed to help you feel grounded during times when you feel unstable and alleviate mental confusion. Comfy AF is available in our body scrub, body butter and body oil candle.
How to use
Apply your favorite Comfy AF product while taking deep inhales to take in the scent and let the aromatherapy work its magic. As you continue breathing, focusing on your breath, place your hand near your root chakra (or simply on your knees or thighs) and repeat the affirmation “I am” ideally placing the aromatherapy scent directly on the intended chakra.
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Take a shower/bath
- Practice meditation outdoors
- Have a mini dance party (even if it's just you!)
- Practice yoga poses like tree pose, warrior I or II, garland pose or mountain
The Sexy & I Know It Collection for Sacral Chakra Healing
A luxurious and alluring aroma that will transport you to another world. We blend the citrusy fragrance of orange with hints of jasmine to create an exotic fragrance that will help you unleash your creativity and find your inner sensual goddess. Orange is a scent that is closely tied to the sacral chakra and is thought to help invigorate the mind and stimulate your creativity. It is thought to sharpen your concentration and elevate your cognitive function, allowing you to tap into the depths of your imagination. It's also thought to improve your mood. Sexy & I Know It is available in a scrub, body butter, body oil and body oil candle.
How to Use
Apply your favorite Sexy & I Know It product & take deep breaths as you inhale the scent and let the aromatherapy work its magic. Place your hand on your sacral chakra (just below your belly button) & take a few deep breaths focusing on the rise & fall of your belly. Continue to follow your breaths as your repeat the affirmation “I feel”.
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Journaling about your emotions
- Hip opening stretches like Bound Angle, Goddess, or Triangle pose
- Eat nourishing orange foods
The Get Sh*t Done Collection for Solar Plexus Chakra Healing
An invigorating and uplifting aroma that will bring a burst of energy to your daily skincare routine! We blend Lemongrass and Grapefruit, two essential oils commonly connected to the solar plexus, for a zesty citrus scent that will energize you and give you the boost you need to get it done! This scent is available in our scrub, body butter, body oil and body oil candle.
How to Use:
Apply your favorite Get Sh*t Done product to your solar plexus (the area above your belly button). Begin to deepen your breath, filling your belly like a balloon. Focus on the color yellow and repeat the affirmation “I do”. Continue repeating your mantra as you begin to stretch and move your belly (i.e. deep belly breaths, standing twists, etc).
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Get out in the sun! Sun bathe or simply take a walk and enjoy the weather
- Yoga poses that stimulate your stomach like Boat pose, Downward Dog, or Plank
- Wear the color yellow!
The Love on the Brain Collection for Heart Chakra Healing
A romantic and calming aroma that wraps you in its comforting embrace. Roses are a scent we intuitively connect with love and romance (think Mother's day and Valentine's day) which is perfect for connecting with your divine feminine energies! But for those worried about smelling like a walking garden, fear not! The sweet smell of bergamot helps to balance this blend making it light and soft. Love on the Brain is available in our body butter, body oil, scrub and body oil candle.
How to Use
Apply your favorite Love on the Brain product & take deep breaths as you inhale the scent and let the aromatherapy work its magic. Place your left hand on your heart & your right hand on your belly button & focus on the affirmation “I love”.
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Meditation
- Yoga poses that open the heart space including backends such as Wheel pose, Camel or Cobra pose
- Start your morning, or end your day, with warm tea (don't worry - it doesn’t have to be rose)
The Talk to Me Nice Collection for Throat Chakra Healing
A refreshing and invigorating aroma you'll notice immediately! Peppermint is a common essential oil tied to the throat chakra because the cool menthol is thought to push through stagnant and blocked energies in the body making it difficult for those energies to remain. We put our own spin on this scent by adding a bit of lime mimicking the smell of a mojito on the rocks. Honestly, who doesn't find a little extra courage after a few drinks, right?! Talk to Me Nice is available in our scrub, body butter, body oil candle and, unique to this scent, our Himalayan bath soak!
How to Use:
Take a long bath or shower with your favorite Talk to Me Nice product while taking deep inhales of the scent and focusing on the rise & fall of your belly. Once you step out, take a moment to do two lions breaths (take a deep breath, hold out your tongue, & blow your breath out of your mouth like fire) while focusing on the mantra “I speak”.
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Give yourself mini-breaks throughout the day to open your throat area with relaxing neck stretches
- Yoga poses that open your throat including Cat-Cow, Bridge & Fish pose
- Repeat affirmations that encourage authenticity and open communication
The Enlightened Vibes Collection for Third Eye Chakra Healing
A warm and inviting aroma that will make you feel like you’re lounging in a luxurious mahogany study. This blend Frankincense & Myrhh creates an aromatic experience that brings an air of sophistication to your skincare routine, helping you tune out any unnecessary distractions and tune in to your highest self. Enlightened Vibes is available in our body butter, body scrub and body oil candle.
How to Use:
Apply your favorite Enlightened Vibes product while taking deep breaths to inhale the scent and let the aromatherapy work its magic. Continue focusing on your breath as you bring your right hand to your third eye and gently rub while repeating the affirmation, "I see".
Using your candle? Candle gazing is a perfect way to clear your mind and open your chakras! As the flame on the wick dances along the wick, take some deep breaths while focusing your attention on the movement of the flame. Repeat the mantra “I see” quietly or out loud.
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Observe your thoughts and keep a daily journal to reflect on your day and your emotions
- Yoga poses that stimulate the Third Eye including Extended Childs' Pose, Lotus and Forward Bend
- Discover the benefits of a consistent meditation practice
The Bow to the Crown Collection for Crown Chakra Healing
A calming and soothing aroma perfect for finding blissful balance. Lavender is strongly associated with the crown chakra because of its color (remember, purple is a color associated with this chakra) and because of its calming & relaxing properties. Use our Bow to the Crown blend to find complete relaxation and put you in the perfect vibration to align with your higher self. Bow to the Crown is available in our scrub and body butter.
How to Use
Apply your favorite Bow to the Crown product & take deep breaths as you inhale the scent and let the aromatherapy work its magic.
If available, go outside and take a few moments to walk in and observe nature. Pay careful attention to the things you see, the sounds you hear and the scents you smell while focusing on the affirmation, "I understand". Not able to go outside? Find a window and look out into nature instead!
Other ways to balance your chakra:
- Candle gazing
- Yoga poses that stimulate your crown including Headstand, Corpse pose or Tree pose
- Spend more time in nature. You might consider an outdoor meditation practice or simply taking walks to observe your senses
So give our Aromatherapy Skin Care Collection a try and tap into your full potential! Let us know which chakra you're focusing on in the comments!
