Balancing the Chakras Using Foods by Patricia Lidia
It is important to nourish and hydrate the body for balancing and energizing the chakras. When one of our centers of energy is out of balance, the first solution we should think about is proper nutrition. There are several foods specific to each chakra, and excessive or insufficient consumption of these foods causes disorders in the body. Along with the mental and emotional pattern that influences the chakras and therefore the physical body, the chosen diet can support this healing and balancing process.
The root chakra is responsible for grounding, feeling grounded, having a clear and stable foundation and connecting us to Mother Earth. It is based on the earth element. The active color of the root chakra is red and any energy visualized during meditation with the root chakra is usually perceived as red. People who strive to improve the balance of the Muladhara chakra often wear red clothing, eat red (healthy) food, and even paint their nails red.
Root vegetables: potatoes, carrots, parsnips, parsley, ginger, white radish, garlic onions, horseradish, celery
Vibrant red food: beets, watermelon, radish, strawberries, red apple, cherries, red pepper, red cabbage, tomato, rhubarb, pomegranate.
The sacral chakra is associated with our creativity, sexuality and reproduction. It helps us to be in touch with our emotions and has the ability to connect with the people important to us. It is based on the water element. The active color of the sacral chakra is orange and any energy visualized during meditation with the sacral chakra is usually perceived as orange. People who strive to improve the balance of the sacral chakra often wear orange clothing, wear accessories with carnelian, coral or opal, inhale jasmine essential oil. The element of the second chakra is water, so those who feel the need to balance shall drink as much pure and alkaline water as possible. Liquids pass through the body faster than solids and help purify the body and prevent the kidneys from overloading with toxins. Juices and teas can also support this cleansing process.
Orange food high in carotenoids: carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, mangoes, oranges, papaya, passion fruit, turmeric and ginger, as well as foods that contain a lot of water (watermelon, cucumber, coconut).
Clear fluids: water, tea, broth
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA – Manipura
The solar plexus chakra governs our self-esteem, ego and willpower and is associated with our ability to work with our control and confidence. It is based on the fire element. The active color of the solar plexus chakra is yellow, any energy visualized during meditation with the solar plexus chakra is usually perceived as yellow. People who strive to improve the balance of the Manipura chakra often wear yellow clothing, eat yellow food, drink herbal tea.
Yellow food: banana, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, yellow peppers, yellow squash, apricots, dragon fruit, carambola, corn, mango, lemon and yellow curry.
Complex carbohydrates and whole grains: oats, brown rice, spelt, rye, farro, beans, sprouted vegetables and grains
The heart chakra is connected to love, joy, compassion, inner peace, kindness, security and our self and is based on the air element. The active color of the heart chakra is green, any energy visualized during heart chakra meditation is usually perceived as green. People who strive to improve the balance of the heart chakra often wear green clothing, eat green foods (healthy, natural). A tea or tincture of gooseberries (berries) increases confidence in the process of life and encourages you to feel safe. It also helps to strengthen the heart and blood vessels. For a healthy heart you can use jasmine, lavender, rose, basil, sage, thyme, coriander, parsley.
Green food: Broccoli, kale, lettuce, green peppers, spinach, pak choi, cucumber, celery, green apples, avocados, limes and green herbs, chard, dandelion greens, parsley, zucchini, peas, kiwi
Green liquids: matcha, green tea, spirulina, mint
The throat chakra governs all aspects of communication, to others and to ourselves and is based on the ether element. The active color of the throat chakra is blue, any energy visualized during meditation with the throat chakra is usually perceived as blue. In general, all shades of blue are beneficial, and people who strive to improve the balance of the Vishuddha chakra often wear blue clothing, eat a lot of fruits, and diffuse or burn incense in the rooms where they spend most of the time.
Blue food: Blueberries, blackberries, kelp, blue grape
Soothing foods and liquids: water, coconut water, herbal teas, raw honey, lemon
The third eye chakra is responsible for intuition, visualizations, perspective, ideas and is associated with ‘the bigger picture’, wisdom and the ability to see the truth and what is real for us. It is based on the light element. Light is a combination of all the elements – water, earth, fire and air. Light brings understanding to things and focuses on the clarity of things, just as the aim of this chakra. The active color of the third eye chakra is indigo, any energy visualized during meditation with the third eye chakra is usually perceived as indigo – indigo blue has an opening effect, dark blue has an effect on intuition and knowledge holistic, purple works on extrasensory capacity. People who strive to improve the balance of the Ajna chakra often wear indigo clothing, sit in the sun, practice compassion, eat purple, natural food.
Purple food: blackberries, plums, aubergine, purple grapes, purple broccoli, purple carrots, goji berries, purple kale, purple cabbage
Foods that support the brain: nuts, seeds
The crown chakra is responsible for consciousness, spiritual awakening, inner wisdom, ability to be present, aware and connected to a higher plan and our highest self and is based on the Cosmos element. The Cosmos is the pure light and source of creation. The active color of the crown chakra is purple, any energy visualized during meditation with the crown chakra is usually perceived as white or purple. People who strive to improve the balance of the Sahasrara chakra often wear indigo or white clothing, walk a lot in the open air and look into the distance, meditate, remain silent, participate in silent retreats, organize a personal shrine. The crown chakra focuses more on fasting and detoxing than it does on food. It focuses more on the spiritual aspect of our bodies and minds.
Meditation herb teas: sage, lavender, juniper, peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, rosemary, and passionflower. Of course, the above mentioned foods are examples and the list can be extended as much as anyone wants and has access to. As you went through the list of foods, did any of them arouse strong images or even cravings in you? These inner messages could be particularly helpful in choosing foods to assist you in balancing and energizing the chakras.
