Chakra-Healing Scents: Nirvana In A Bottle

Chakra-Healing Scents: Nirvana In A Bottle

According to traditional Indian medicine, the human body contains seven “Chakras,” or energy centers, which are located along the spine at major branchings of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving upward to the top of the skull. Chakras are considered to be points of biophysical energy or prana of the human body. In theory, each chakra influences the body’s functions near its region of the spine. Followers of chakra healing believe that these centers are the key to life and the source of energy in the universe.

A few months ago, I indulged my adventurous side (which, incidentally, only surfaces at spas) and tread into the realm of energy healing spa treatments. After receiving two equally peculiar yet truly astonishing “chakra healing” treatments, one at the Chopra Center at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California, and one at the Canyon Ranch Spa in Las Vegas, I proclaimed my devotion to balancing my chakras. Much to the amusement of my friends and family, I vowed to only consume the food and teas that release energy blockages and would shun energy-vampires like commercialism, gossip and reality TV in favor of yoga, meditation and organic gardening. And then Monday morning came, and I stomped away when my husband smirked at my mug of mega-caffed coffee and bowl of Frosted Flakes and asked me how my chakras were doing. So much for vows. And yet, my curiosity was still piqued, even if my willpower was not. There must be a way to incorporate this feel-good magical energy into my every day life without giving up Twizzlers or Real Housewives: Atlanta, right? So, as I do any time that I reach a critical challenge in my life, I turned to beauty products.

When I recently asked Jane Hendler, Parfumeur & Co-Founder of Ajne, the Carmel, Calfornia-based purveyor of precious scents (and the ultimate creator of custom perfumes, in my opinion), for her thought on physical-and-mood-enhancing abilities of scents made with essential oils, I had no idea of the flood gate I was opening. It just so happens that Hendler is not only an expert on the subject but has created an entire collection of truly unique, enthralling scents with just this very chakra-healing premise.

Now, I adore Jane, really I do, and though I knew the potions would smell incredible, I had quite low expectations of their effects. After all, many, many alchemists of essential oil-based fragrances tout the healing benefits their custom blends, and I was never convinced. I’d roll my eyes at the hippie-chicks manning the “natural perfumes” booths at the arts and crafts fairs and figure that they simply weren’t enlightened enough to just prowl through Sephora on a Saturday afternoon and find a real perfume. Surely then they’d have the sense to pour on some Annick Goutal or Comptoir Sud Pacifique instead of the sandalwood oil, right?  Sure, I’d choose the “energizing” blend of oils in a shiatsu massage or the “calming” blend in a Swedish massage, but in the end, doesn’t any massage leave you feeling pretty great, anyway? But now that I’ve drunk the Kool-Aid and started to wear certain healing scents in lieu of my usual perfumes on days where I feel less than balanced, I’m a believer. 

And, now, as I sip my Yogi tea amidst my massive arsenal of frivolous possessions, I will make a deposit into the Bank of Karma and share my knowledge (in the form of my Ajne favorites) with you.

All of the following scents are by Ajne, and are blended from sustainably-harvested ingredients free of synthetics, harmful chemicals and petro-plastic containers. Please visit www.ajne.com for more information or to order.

De Lavande strengthens the entire chakra system, especially the throat, solar plexus and crown charkas with pure lavender oils from Provence, Bulgaria, Tasmania, and Ajne’s own organic farm.

Om promotes a feeling of tranquil bliss and inner security and supports the base, third eye and crown chakras with a blend of sandalwood, ancient heart cedar and incense-like deep forest lichen.

Savoir combines the precious and exotic scent of Australian Boronia, Italian Bergamot and West Indian Champaca for a thoroughly intoxicating scent that strengthens and balances the Ajna, or third eye, chakra as well as supporting the endocrine, upper respiratory and sensory and nervous systems.

Calme is ambery and musky, with subtle notes of Ethiopian Myrrh and Vanilla from Madagascar that beckons you to claim your own inner strength, center yourself, and breathe. Calme strengthens and balances the root, or base, chakra and supports the muscular, nervous and skeletal systems.

Roshambo combines ancient Sandalwood with Italian Bergamot for guidance with life’s tough choices. The ingredients strengthen and balance the sacral chakra and support the body’s fluid balance and reproductive systems.

Lucky blends lime, mandarin, myrrh, sage and French basil for solar plexus chakra balancing and strengthening and support of the lymphatic, digestive and nervous systems.

Citron Régénérez is an invigorating blend of Mediterranean citrus notes and rare spices that strengthens and balances the solar plexus chakra and supports the pancreatic and digestive systems.