The Root Chakra
In these next 8 weeks, I will be sharing with you a journey through our 7 Solaris ‘Be better’ Chakra teas. We co-created these gorgeous teas with our good friend Kerstin Linnartz, a talented and experienced Yogini who has been practising and teaching yoga in Germany and around the world for over 20 years now.
Chakras meaning ‘wheels’ or ‘disks’ are the subtle energy bodies that work hand in hand with our internal organs and physical bodies to create harmony and balance. Chakras provide a bridge or platform to connect our physical and sensory perceptions to our emotional bodies and the emotional to the spiritual world.
Today I would like to share with you some insights about the Root Chakra or Muladhara in Sanskrit. Mula meaning root and Adhara meaning foundation and stability.
The Root Chakra helps us to stay grounded and deeply connect with the earth.
This beautiful earthy ruby red coloured chakra sits at the base of our spine. It incorporates our tail bone, pelvis and pelvic floor, our lower digestive tract and colon, some of our reproductive organs and the bundle of nerves that innervate this whole region.
The root chakra provides a strong foundation of support and stability from which we can really connect to our physicality and vitality.
In essence, it provides a platform from which we can safely grow and expand our consciousness as we move through the higher chakras.
It relates to our instinctive desire for survival. The 4 instincts being Food/Nourishment, Reproduction/Sex, maintaining healthy sleep patterns and our unconscious strive towards Self-preservation.
It is deeply connected to our sense of smell and how we use our sensory and sensual perception of the world to connect to our physical vitality and from there to higher spiritual consciousness.
Herbs and spices are wonderful allies to help open and strengthen both our physical body and our energy bodies or chakras.
In our beautiful earthy I AM- Root chakra or Muladhara blend we combine Oriental spices such as Cinnamon, Ginger and Clove with Liquorice and Cacao peels.
A customer recently described drinking ‘I Am’ Chakra tea as ‘A hug in a cup’!
From a herbalists’ perspective roots and barks are regarded as hugely grounding and centring. Spices due to their high content of essential oils and resins really connect us to our sense of smell and taste having a powerful effect on our digestive system and mucous membranes and smooth muscles.
Let me walk you through our unique blend of herbs and spices used :
Cinnamon is a wonderful warming, earthy spice. It helps to warm our digestive system, releases any trapped wind and balances our blood sugar levels. It also boosts concentration and memory and helps focus on the present moment.
Cardamon a beautiful sensuous and uplifting spice. It helps alleviate anxiety and symptoms of depression. Warming and stimulating it stimulates our digestive juices by connecting to our sense of smell. It clears our breathe and gentle cleanses the body.
Ginger a stimulating and warming spice which cuts through any mucous in the digestive tract. It eases spasm of the smooth muscles especially of the digestive tract and the womb. Releases congestion, eases nausea and has an anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-viral action which benefits the whole body.
Clove a pungent spice which helps ease inflammation, bloating, indigestion and promotes absorption and assimilation of food.
Liquorice sweet and nourishing it helps balance our blood sugar levels, reduces sweet cravings and protects against heart burn and indigestion. It is thought to gently boost adrenal function and can help combat fatigue and stress. Due to its mild laxative effect, it promotes cleansing and elimination of the bowel and colon.
Cacao peels caffeine free and high in anti-oxidants which can help protect the body from ‘free radical’ damage. With a pleasant cacao flavour that is both mildly bitter, earthy and creamy taste, Cacao peels uplifts our mood by boosting serotonin levels as well as other ‘feel good’ chemicals in our brain such as Theobromine which is a natural stimulant and Anandamine also sometimes referred to as the ‘Bliss Chemical’. It also contains valuable amounts of magnesium which is known to relieve muscle spasm and can help promote a healthy sleep pattern.
Warm Wishes.
Karin Müller
Karin Müller is co-owner of Solaris tea and has been working in the field of wellness and health for over 20 years now. She is a Medical Herbalist (BSc Hons), practising Midwife (BSc Hons), Massage and Spa therapist and experienced course facilitator and teacher on a wide range of topics related to mindfulness, meditation and women’s health. She is currently also studying in the ‘Medicine of Light’ school to deepen her spiritual practise.
