Everything a hippie should smell like, but typically does not.

Sampling aromatherapy oils was not an unbiased task for me, it was the perfect assignment for my overly sensitive, 8 months pregnant nose. Mountain Rose Herbs ,”Chakra Essential Oil Sampler” touts,

“The seven aromatherapy oil blends are specially created to correspond with our seven chakras. Intentional use of the Chakra oils can bring health and harmony into your life. Our bodies have seven concentrated ‘storehouses’ of energy known as the Seven Chakras. Each chakra is associated with a color, an endocrine gland, the elements, emotional states and spiritual energies. You can release blocked energy and emotions by focusing on a particular chakra in your body, leading the way to a deeper understanding of yourself and a more fluid existence.”

Regardless of the “spiritual energies” or colors associated with the chakras, in the cadaver lab I attended during yoga teacher training, I observed that each of the “chakras” are major gathering places for nerves.

The set of seven 1/24 ounce Chakra Oils are instructed to be dropped on a candle, one at a time while using a simple visualization technique to connect with each chakra as you move up the body.

I varied the instructions and dropped small amounts of the oil on the correlating body area, taking extra care with the first chakra which is located “above the anus”.  I closed my eyes and visualized the traditional sanskrit color and symbol for each chakra after annointing myself and chanting the traditional sound three times with a yoga asana to co-ordinate with each chakra.

As I explained to my very traditional Christian husband from one of my favorite bands, Swaha, on the purpose of chanting they say,

“When we chant in Sanskrit, or even listen to these transcendental sound waves, we immediately get tuned into an energetic source of bliss. We tap into a field that is the substratum of our existence which is tremendously healing, since these mantras have been repeated billions upon billions of times in India and elsewhere for the very purpose and intention of healing and Wholeness.“

The oils smelled fantastic, everything a hippie should smell like, but typically doesn’t. I could tell I was dealing with top grade essential oils and spending time on the Mountain Rose Herbs website, this suspicion was confirmed on the essential oil info page they describe their oils saying,“The essential oils offered by Mountain Rose Herbs are 100% pure steam distilled plant oils with an unsurpassable fragrance, exceptional depth, magnificent keynote, and are free of carriers, diluents and other inputs.” Mountain Rose Herbs are located in Eugene Oregon, I wonder if they have ever tasted Jun?

After finishing my experiment, I felt rejuvinated and calm. I gently placed each of the seven chakra oils back in their lovely box according to order thanks to colored dots on the top of each bottle. The gift box has printed usage guidelines on the back of the liner tray. These oils would make an excellent prop used specifically for meditation, yoga, energy work and any other intentional practices and a thoughtful, unique gift for anyone who enjoys or is curious about aromatherapy.