Harmonious Podcast Episode 5: Root Chakra - Hibiscus & Red Jasper

Martha Graham, one of the most influential dance choreographers of the 20th century once said: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

Hello beloved listeners. This is Meline and you're listening to Harmonious podcast, where we explore the synergy of crystals and herbs. I thought the other day that this will be a good idea to start a series of episodes exploring the herbs and the crystals that would help us balance our chakras. It is usually a good idea to start balancing the chakras starting the root chakra; therefore, today we will be exploring the synergy between the herb hibiscus and the crystal red Jasper, both of which are excellent for assisting us with balancing our root chakra.

But before we move on, I need to emphasize that everything you learn in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please do not start or discontinue any treatment or medication based on what you learn in this podcast. It is essential that you consult a medical doctor before initiating or discontinuing or changing any medications or treatments for your physical, emotional, or mental health. And please make sure that you are not allergic to any of the herbs that you wish to experiment with.

Based on Ayurvedic teaching, which is the traditional medical practice of India, there are energy currents in the human body known as prana, chi, or kundalini that move up and down the spine through energy channels; these energy channels are called chakras. Even though, there are many more chakras all over the human body, there are seven main chakras along the spine and they are the root chakra, the sacral chakra, the solar plexus chakra, the heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra, and the crown chakra.

So the word chakra in Sanskrit means “wheel” or “disk”. These wheels or disks of spinning energy each correspond to certain nerve bundles and major organs in our body. To function at their best, our chakras need to stay open, or balanced. However, it is completely normal for our chakras to get out of balance from time to time. Just like we wash our clothes every few days, we should balance our chakras often. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you for it.

There are many ways to balance our chakras, and some of these methods are as follows: Using colors, food, yoga and other exercises, aromatherapy, herbs and teas, crystals, reiki, meditation, mantras, and visualization.

For the purpose of today’s episode, we will be focusing on the Root chakra, or the Muladhara chakra. It is the first of the three physical chakras. The root chakra governs our feelings of stability, safety, survival, and security. When this chakra is balanced, we are grounded, and therefore this energy center powers our fight or flight impulses. The root chakra is our base for our life force energy.

An imbalance in the life force energy in the root chakra can leave us feeling restless or experiencing a lack of energy. These can lead to feelings of anxiety, worry, depression, panic, frustration, and anger. An imbalanced root chakra can manifest into feeling of being constantly threatened and feeling as if we don’t fit or that we don’t belong. We may experience lack of focus, negative self-talk, and low self-esteem. Interestingly, when root chakra is not balanced, we may also experience difficulty making money.

Now that we established some basic knowledge about chakras and what are possible manifestations of an imbalanced root chakra, let’s explore how the lovely Hibiscus herb can assist us become healthier and balance our root chakra.

The energy of hibiscus is feminine, it is associated with the planet Venus and its element is water. The flowers of red hibiscus were used to brew a strong red tea to induce love and lust. This drink was forbidden for women in Egypt for this very reason.

Hibiscus produces large flowers in vibrant shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, white, and multicolor. This beautiful plant is used to decorate parks and gardens and to attract its tropical pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. However, this gorgeous flower has so much more to offer us as flower medicine.

Hibiscus tea has been shown to have a blood pressure-lowering effect in people with hypertension. It is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

In addition, recent studies have suggested that hibiscus extract may have a protective effect on the liver, helping to improve liver function and reduce damage caused by toxins.

Hibiscus may also help with weight loss by reducing the absorption of carbohydrates and fat. Traditionally, hibiscus has been used to aid digestion and treat digestive problems like constipation.

Having anti-inflammatory properties, it may help reduce inflammation throughout the body. And finally, hibiscus contains vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system.

And now it is time to explore the beautiful crystal red Jasper. Jasper is known as the “supreme nurturer” as it supports us during times of stress and brings a sense of tranquility and wholeness into our life. Jasper reminds us to help each other. Red Jasper is a very grounding crystal, and it balances the root chakra. It is said that red Jasper makes an excellent worry bead as it has a calming effect on our emotions. Placed under the pillow it helps us recall our dreams. Red Jasper can cleanse and stabilize our aura, which in turn helps us strengthen our boundaries. This is a stone of health and it can strengthen and detoxify our circulatory system, our blood and our liver.

So, what are some ways we can cultivate the combined benefits of the herb hibiscus and the crystal red jasper?

- One of my favorite methods is to brew some hibiscus tea with the sacred intention of balancing my root chakra. I like to hold a red jasper crystal in my hands and repeat the following affirmation either out loud or in my mind while waiting for the water to boil for the tea: “I feel centered. I am connected to my body. My body is my home. I feel safe and secure. I have what I need.”

- Another method is to visualize a triangular shape around you as you sit on the ground. Place a red jasper on each corner of this triangle and sit in meditation in the center while holding a red hibiscus flower in your hands. Look at the flower, absorb its deep beautiful red color, and visualize your root chakra as a red flower blossoming and opening its endless petals with a shining bright red color. Stay here as long as you like.

- Another way is to wear red clothing, play root chakra balancing frequency music, and hold a red jasper worry stone or wear red jasper jewelry while diffusing hibiscus essential oil in your room. Sit in meditation and visualize energetic roots growing from your root chakra and into the ground. Repeat the following affirmation: “My root chakra is my first energy center, and it functions to ground me energetically to the earth. It is the source of my connection to the physical world. My trust and security rest here.”

- Another method is to place a living hibiscus plant in your room and arrange red jasper crystals around the plant. Seeing the vibrant colors of the hibiscus flower will support you with color therapy throughout the day, while the red jasper crystals will radiate positivity, motivation, and security.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast. Please share this episode with your friends and family who may be interested in this topic. Feel free to email me at mindfulmanifest2@gmail.com should you have any questions or comments or to just say hi.

My name is Meline and this was the Harmonious, where we explore the synergy of crystals and herbs.

Until next time, stay happy and healthy.