This is the second post in a series I’m sharing about colorful signatures in the plant realm. Here’s the first, The Power of Red in Times of Disruption.
(Knock knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange ya glad I didn’t say banana?)
Oh I just couldn’t help myself. It’s one of the few jokes I know and like to tell my 7 year old. And it’s one of the first things that comes to find when I hear the word “Orange.” It kind of makes sense when I think on it, as Orange is the color of Joy.
What does Orange bring to mind for you?
Or rather, how does Orange make you feel?
Orange is rich and vibrant. Orange stirs emotions and encourages creativity. In the chakra system, Orange is the color of the sacral chakra (sanskrit: Svadisthana) where pleasure, sexuality, and abundance rule.
If we are feeling uninspired or not seeing the beauty in the world, Orange lifts us up and restores a sense of vitality.
We can work with color in a variety of ways to shift our mood, from the clothes we wear to the colors we paint our walls.
Some stones or crystals we can work with to stimulate our joy and vibrancy center are: orange calcite, sunstone, amber, carnelian, or fire agate.
Orange Yarrow (Achillea species)
There are a number of plants that enliven our sacral centers as well. And many of them feature Orange as a prominent color.
Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Vibrant orange blooms of Calendula are well known for their benefits for the skin, and they are also greatly beneficial to the digestive system, as well as the reproductive organs. Calendula blossoms in tea (infusion) or tincture form can be a warming balm to menstrual cramps in cases of cold stagnation in the uterus. It’s also been used as a remedy for candidiasis. Emotionally speaking, Calendula uplifts mood and brings joy to our hearts. According to Flower Essence Services, the flower essence invokes in us a healing warmth and receptivity.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Beautifully delicate Cali Poppy, its grace and elegance are entrancing. As an herb, this plant eases the nervous system, instilling calm and bringing pain relief. According to Isha Lerner, Power of Flowers essences, California Poppy flower essence “is a magical golden cup flower that enchants the soul, offering imagination and a vibrant appreciation for nature's invisible forces. It can help with the clearing of addictions and drug abuse.” Addictions and abuse often stem from imbalances in the sacral energy center.
Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Saffron makes me think of a big delicious pan of paella, which like this herb, is said to be an aphrodisiac. The “herb” is actually the orange stamens from Autumn Crocus – separating them out is a delicate and labor-intensive process. Aside from being a potent antioxidant, Saffron is purported to improve mood, ease premenstrual symptoms, and stimulate amorous feelings. If you are looking for a more accessible herb, Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) could act as a substitute.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
The flower of Damiana isn’t entirely orange, more a bright yellow with a concentrated almost orange center. But it’s certainly known for its sacral center stimulating properties. Drinking a Damiana infusion or taking the tincture stimulates circulation to the pelvic region. It’s also relaxing to the nervous system, lowering inhibitions. It’s these two qualities that have given this herb its reputation as an aphrodisiac. (Another way to express the botanical name is Turnera aphrodisiaca.)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Colorwise perhaps this is a bit of a stretch. Admittedly, the color of the Ginger rhizome is more a beige than orange, and its flower is a vibrant magenta-fuschia. But there’s no doubt that ginger is stimulating and warming to the womb-space, easing cold stagnation in the case of menstrual cramps, and invoking a general sense of invigoration and enlivenment to the whole being.
Tuliptree bloom
Tuliptree, aka, Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
When I look at the flower of Tuliptree I see a bright orange flame flickering up from its base. At the base of the orange bleeds in yellow and the whole flame emerges into a field of green. The message I receive from the flower is that it brings the energy of the sacral and solar plexus centers up into the heart, encouraging us to express ourselves in a heart-centered way from our core. This flame also speaks to the use of this plant (the root bark primarily) in treating intermittent fever, particularly in case of malaria.
Butterfly weed
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
This plant is at risk in the Northeast, so I suggest working with the flower essence, which affords us ease in our vulnerability, allowing us to be open in relationships and un-self-consciously express our creativity.
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Last but not least, we have the color’s namesake. Eating oranges in the winter months brings a certain level of vitality and sunshine to our lives when things are otherwise fairly colorless and dark. What I love about orange is the scent, and it’s the essential oils I use most often. Diffusing Sweet Orange oil or just taking a sniff of it straight from the bottle stirs my sense of creativity and a feeling that everything is just ducky.
Some are silver
While these plants don’t quite feature any orange, they do have a link with the sacral chakra. The giveaway is under their leaves. When you flip them over, they have a silvery white underside. This is their link with the moon, and in our bodies, the moon is seated at the sacral center. The moon is ruler of emotions, the tides of the body, and intuition.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
If you know me, you know this is one plant I won’t ever stop talking about. Mugwort is magical on many levels. It brings flow to the body, mind, and spirit. And as far as the sacral center goes, Mugwort brings flow to creativity and to the physical space of the uterus, stimulating and regulating healthy menstrual cycles for those with a lack of circulation to that area of the body.
Raspberry (Rubus species)
Raspberry leaf is a well known remedy for the moons of women’s (womben’s, wimmin’s, womyn’s) bodies. Taken during pregnancy it helps prepare the uterus for childbirth, and taken after birth helps tone and restore the uterus and reduce heavy bleeding. It’s a regulator of hormones as well, particularly progesterone.
How does Orange make you feel? Leave a reply in the comments below!
Next week, I’ll be sharing about… you guessed it, Yellow! Stay tuned.