A Peek in Buddha’s Garden: Herbs to Heal the Chakras

Based on principles as old as the Sanskrit literature of ancient India, the modern chakra garden provides a healing sanctuary where emotional, mental and physical relief may be contemplated.

Chakra is the Sanskrit word for wheel, disc or circle. And like the spokes of a wheel, chakra has generally come to mean the radiation of energy, or a vortex of radiant light, energy or life force. According to Anodea Judith, in humans there are seven major chakras or energy centers that run from the groin in a straight line up the spine to the top of the head.

The Chakra Model as Garden Inspiration

Gardeners have always organized their beds and plantings around a theme or style. Today, we see butterfly, frog and bird gardens, Biblical gardens, gardens after Victorian, Shakespearean or Edwardian fashions, fairy gardens, knot gardens and most recently, gardens that reflect the principles of feng shui. Not surprising then, that one or two enlightened plant masters would create a garden space based on the seven chakras and their effects on the body/mind.

Tucked away in the midst of the pristine Baraboo Bluffs in central Wisconsin, a comfortable two days’ drive from Toronto, just such a gardener and her chakra garden exists. Jane Hawley Stevens completed a Bachelor of Science in horticulture and almost immediately began to specialize in the healing qualities of herbs. She and her husband David own 130 prairie and woodland acres from which she harvests healing organic herbs for her Four Elements Herbals® skin care products. Together, Jane and David were awarded "Organic Farmers of the Year" in 2020.

In the renovated dairy barn, she processes her herbs to make medicinal oils, salves, tinctures and flower essences. The barn also houses a bright and spacious classroom where Hawley-Stevens holds herbal workshops.

In a world where inner peace and spirituality are increasingly more important, yet not easily found, even the idea of a chakra garden allows us to contemplate joy, energy, strength and healing. Working with the healing plants associated with each energy system encourages harmony and balance.

Ancient Chakra Wisdom

Although her garden design is formal in structure, Jane created a simple, relaxing garden space where the healing and spiritual aspects of plants are displayed in circular beds that represent the seven energy systems. One enters the chakra garden through a vine-covered arbour and follows one of two paths on either side of seven round plantings, beginning at the root chakra and progressing to the crown chakra.

Quiet meditation is encouraged as birdsong and the occasional twitter of bee or butterfly wings accents the solace of this peaceful setting. A gold statue of the buddha resting atop a granite stone marks the seventh, or crown, chakra.

Hawley-Stevens’ chakra garden, one of only a few in North America, is both inspiring and immediately beneficial because of its symbolism about the chakras and the practical use of plants that ease corresponding problems in the body. The overall effect is one of sensory awakening, relaxation and wellbeing. The following is a brief description of each chakra and the plants that Jane Hawley-Stevens planted in each bed.

• ROOT (muladhara)

Issues: survival, vitality, life force, self-preservation, instincts, success, grounding, stability, courage, patience

Associated Body Systems: kidneys, adrenal glands, spinal column, bladder, colon, skeletal system, blood circulation

Imbalance: insecurity, fear, self-centered, violence, greed, anger, tensions in spine, constipation, loss or failure

Colour: red

Plants: dandelion, yellow dock, burdock, skullcap, peony, dianthus, wild lettuce, meadowsweet

• SACRAL or NAVEL (svadhisthana)

Issues: life force, procreation, assimilation of food, sexuality, giving and receiving, feelings, desire and health

Associated Body Systems: ovaries, testicles, prostate, genitals, spleen, womb, bladder, intestines, menstruation

Imbalance: mood swings, self-rejection, low esteem, addictive behaviour (overindulgence in food, money or sex), confusion, jealousy, envy, anger, blame, resentment, materialism

Colour: orange

Plants: calendula, pennyroyal, oregano, lady’s mantle, licorice, turkey rhubarb, wormwood, butterfly weed

• SOLAR PLEXUS (manipura)

Issues: personal power, authority, energy, self-control, warmth, humour, laughter
Associated Body Systems: stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, nervous system, muscles, mucous, toxicity, calcium and lime deposits

Imbalance: ego, anger, overblown ego, appetite, insecurity, introvert, taking on too much, hate, fear, digestive problems, negative thinking, power and control

Colour: yellow

Plants: yarrow, atractylodes, sage, skullcap, astragalus, lemon balm, chamomile, spilanthes, fennel, Echinacea pallida, winter onions

• HEART (anahata)

Issues: love, unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, balance, acceptance, peace, openness, harmony

Associated Body Systems: respiratory system (heart, lungs), immune system, circulation, liver, breasts, nerves

Imbalance: lack of self-love and acceptance, emotional instability, out of balance, heart problems, circulation problems, guilt, self-pity

Colour: green

Plants: lavender, winter savory, lemon balm, motherwort, balloon flower, parsley, sweet marjoram, scented geraniums, myrtle, arnica, lemon verbena

• THROAT (vishuddha)  

Issues: communication, speech, sound, creative expression, integrity, truth, knowledge, wisdom, sleep, gentleness, kindness, relaxation

Associated Body Systems: thyroid and hormones, throat, chest, lungs

Imbalance: sluggish metabolism, weight problems, unable to express oneself, suppression, weak willpower, lack of trust

Colour: blue

Plants: blue vervain, hyssop, elecampane, eyebright, lovage, lamb’s ears, thyme, coltsfoot, bells of Ireland

• THIRD EYE (ajna)  

Issues: light, intuition and thought

Associated Body Systems: pituitary gland, left eye, nose, ears, mental health, sinuses, autonomous nervous system, cranium fluid, hypothalamus

Imbalance: eye problems, severe headaches, nightmares, insomnia, fear, lack of concentration, conflict, doubts

Colour: indigo blue, purple

Plants: self heal, rue, feverfew, mugwort, clary sage, gotu kola

• CROWN (sahasrara)  

Issues: higher self, inner calm and oneness, bliss, spirituality, sense of wholeness

Associated Body Systems: pineal gland, cerebral cortex, central nervous system, right eye, upper brain

Imbalance: loneliness, lack of vision, confusion, depression, alienation
Colour: violet, white, gold, silver

Plants: shrub roses, Ethiopian sage, evolution salvia, pagoda, dogwood, bo tree, ceremonial tobacco, sunflower

Simple Herbal Mixtures

TINCTURES

Herb tinctures are concentrated alcohol-based liquid extracts. They work because the active components in the herbs are drawn into the alcohol in potent amounts. Tinctures are effective in small doses ranging from 10 to 20 drops, 2 to 8 times per day. This makes them easy to carry and convenient to take.

Alcohol is the most common carrier because it is stable and does not deteriorate over several years. Commercial tinctures are made with198 proof grain alcohol (some are made with apple cider vinegar or water) but the best option for homemade tinctures is 100 proof vodka.

Research herbs and their healing uses in order to know what tinctures will best suit you and your family. Echinacea (E. purpurea) is a popular tincture for people with school-age children because it can be given to all family members one week before school starts and during cold and flu season to build up the child’s and the family’s immunity. Check with a medical herbalist for doses and duration of treatment.

TO MAKE A HERBAL TINCTURE

Fresh organic herbs (aerial parts, stems, flowers, leaves, bark or roots)
Vodka, gin or brandy
Large glass jar with a screw-top lid
Small, dark brown or blue glass dropper bottles

1. Rinse the plant tops in water and pat dry. Coarsely chop the stems and large leaves. Leave the flowers whole. If using the roots, scrub under running water and coarsely chop.
2. Fill the jar with the plant material. Pour the alcohol over the herbs, completely submerging them in the alcohol. Poke the mixture with a bamboo skewer or long knife to eliminate air pockets. Leave a 1/2-inch air space at the top of the jar. Cap the jar with the lid and screw it tightly by hand. Label with the ingredients and the date.
3. Store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator) for 6 to 8 weeks. Shake the jar from time to time. After 6 to 8 weeks, strain the tincture through cheesecloth into a measuring cup and pour into clean, dry dark-coloured dropper bottles. Label and store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator). The alcohol is a preservative and the tincture will remain potent for 2 to 4 years.

HERBAL OILS

Oils act in the same way as alcohol to draw out and act as a carrier of the healing compounds in herbs. Olive oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil or coconut oil all work well, but almond oil is the very best for use in face creams. Infused oils may be applied directly to a scrape or swelling, but they are also the main ingredient in skin creams and healing herbal salves.

The list of herbs for infusing oils is very long but the following are some of the common skin and cosmetic herbs to use in creams and salves.

Calendula soothes inflamed tissues; use on cuts and abrasions for quick healing

Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and eases insect bites or poison ivy

Chickweed is cooling, antiseptic and is used to treat inflammations, itching, blisters, boils and abscesses

Comfrey softens and heals skin abrasions; it has been used to ease psoriasis, blisters, cuts

Lavender soothes burns and cuts and adds a pleasant fragrance to salves

Saint John’s Wort is anti-inflammatory and eases burns, wounds, bruises, sores, insect bites, fungal infections such as eczema and itching

To make herbal oils, follow the same directions as for making tinctures (above), with two exceptions: the oil may be placed in a sunny window to assist in drawing the active elements from the herbs into the oil and the strained oil may be poured into larger glass jars (not dropper jars) with tight-fitting lids. Oils are more likely to develop mould or go rancid and therefore, they should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 years.  Adding 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of pure vitamin E to every quart (liter) of herbal oil acts as a natural preservative.

HERBAL SALVES

Salves offer simple remedies for cuts, stings, bruises and chapped skin. Choose the herbs that work for specific ailments and make infused oils following the directions above.

TO MAKE A HERBAL SALVE

Beeswax is used to set the oil so that it is firm and easy to apply to the skin. Essential oils such as lavender, jasmine or eucalyptus may be added to salves for extra healing benefit or to add fragrance. If the salve is too hard, reheat and add more oil; if too soft, reheat and add more beeswax.

1 cup infused herbal oil (see above)
6 to 8 tbsp grated beeswax
20 drops essential oil*, optional
4 to 6 small glass jars with tight-fitting lids

1. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat, just until warm. Stir in the beeswax and keep stirring until completely melted. Remove from the heat and add essential oil if using. Pour into jars and let cool until solid. Label and store in a cool, dark place.
(*Essential Oils are very different from Infused Oils, which are easy to make at home. Essential oils are commercially made using a distillation still. Only a small amount of pure oil is distilled from plant material and that is what makes essential oils expensive.)

As a reminder of our human potential, chakra gardens are filled with the energy they represent. Learning to identify healing herbs and the properties they hold; enjoying plants in the wild or in cultivated gardens; working with healing herbs to make simple remedies; and using homemade herbal products brings us closer to the wise ways of natural healing.

Note: Jane Hawley-Stevens wrote a book recently, entitled  The Celestial Garden: Growing Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers in Sync with the Moon and Zodiac. Chelsea Green Publishing, VT. To see her books and wall calendars, visit:  https://fourelementsherbals.com/collections/specials

Organic Herb Seed & Plant Suppliers

• RICHTER’S HERBS – Offer herbs, seeds, books and herbal products at their greenhouse in Goodwood, or by mail. 357 Highway 47, Goodwood ON, L0C 1A0, 905-640-6677 www.richters.com
• HERITAGE LANE ORGANIC HERBS – Harley, Ontario. https://www.heritagelaneherbs.com/products.php
• GAIA ORGANIC SEEDS – Offers hundreds of varieties of organic vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Based in Ottawa, Ont.  https://gaiaorganics.ca/about-gaia-organics/
• URBAN HARVEST – Offers rare, heirloom, and non-GMO certified organic seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Ships across Canada.  Tel: 416.523.2236 Visit: https://uharvest.ca/  Email: grow@uharvest.ca