The throat chakra is located at the centre of the neck region and is the passageway for energy to pass between the head and the body. It is represented by the element of sound, an important instrument in communication and expression.

The emphasis of this chakra is the expression of yourself, your purpose in life and creativity included. As the throat chakra is intimately connected to your self-expression, the balance of this chakra can affect your emotional honesty, the quality of your relationships and whether you live an authentic life.

Some key characteristics of a balanced Throat Chakra:

Expression - you have the ability to express and speak out

Communication - you are able to communicate well, whether it's verbal or non-verbal, external or internal

Connection - You connect with the etheric realm of spirit and intuitive abilities

Creativity - You can easily project ideas and blueprints into reality 

Throat Chakra imbalance

A blocked throat chakra can contribute to feelings of insecurity, timidity and introversion. Emotionally, the more common signs are the inability to express thoughts, inconsistency in speech and actions, social anxiety and shyness. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an overactive throat chakra can make a person judgemental about those around them. They also will display socially overbearing tendencies to shout and yell at others and tend to be in disharmony with their own feelings.

At a glance, a deficient throat chakra blockage is portrayed as lifeless, sluggish and passive; while an excessive throat chakra blockage is portrayed as over-lively, agitated and aggressive.

What triggers the blockage of the throat chakra?

If your ideas, thoughts and opinions were often devalued by others, or if you were criticized a lot when you were younger, it could lead to an imbalance of the throat chakra.

How to unblock your throat chakra?

Diet

Surprisingly, eating the right foods can jump start your throat chakra back to its rightful place. Introduce more fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as blueberries, blackberries, grapes and currants.

Journaling

For those with an underactive throat chakra, you would be struggling with voicing out your thoughts and feelings. If you are having difficulty verbalizing it, you can try to write them down in a private journal instead. It doesn't matter if its a diary, an online program or a mobile app.

Meditation

Crystals contain energy that will help to balance your throat chakra. Choose a crystal with properties that are aligned with your own natural energy. The recommended ones for balancing the throat chakra are aquamarine, blue tourmaline, lapis lazuli and turquoise.

Essential Oils

Some essential oils that can help with balancing the throat chakra are frankincense, rosemary and eucalyptus. You can put them in a diffuser and use it while meditating or wear them in an aromatherapy pendant.

Chakra Throat - a blend that features clean, minty sharp notes and the soft earthiness of Tea Tree and Eucalyptus.