If you have difficulty speaking your truth or feel a lump in your throat when you try to express yourself, an energy healer might say you’re dealing with a blocked throat chakra, or energy center, and recommend throat chakra stones (or crystals) to help restore its proper function.

One of seven chakras—each of which corresponds to a part of the body, emotion, and facet of our identity—the throat chakra is the fifth chakra, and as its name implies, it’s located within the throat and neck region, says crystal healer and Reiki master Mariah K. Lyons, founder of grounding crystalline footwear brand Astara. When it’s out of balance, everything associated with the throat, both physically and emotionally, tends to suffer.

The throat chakra is all about communication, self-expression, speaking your truth, and being authentic, says crystal expert Heather Askinosie, co-founder of crystal brand Energy Muse and author of Crystal Muse: Everyday Rituals to Tune In to the Real You. Meaning, you could feel an energetic block when it comes to expressing yourself if your throat chakra is out of whack.

Below, you’ll find expert insight on the chakras, including how to identify a blocked throat chakra, plus the techniques and stones you can use to help reopen it—and regain your voice.

Chakra meanings and colors

The chakra system originated in the Vedas, the earliest Sanskrit literary records and also the source of India’s ancient medical system Ayurveda. The Sanskrit word “chakra” translates to “wheel” or “disk,” which is how you can visualize the seven chakras—as wheels of energy stacked along the spine.

When the chakras are balanced, they spin in tandem, at the same speed, and prana (aka energy) can flow freely through them, creating energetic harmony. But if any of the chakras is unbalanced, it is thought to be either overactive (spinning too quickly) or under-active (spinning too slowly). A chakra can also be stagnant or blocked, which prevents the free flow of energy.

Your health and personal life will contribute to how readily (or not) the energy flows through your seven chakras, and vice versa, as determined by the mind-body connection in Ayurveda. That means unbalanced internal energy can show up as physical symptoms (like a sore throat, in the case of a blocked throat chakra) just as certain physical disruptions, like getting poor sleep or experiencing a lot of stress, can result in unbalanced or blocked chakras.

Getting to know the location and meaning of each of the seven chakras can help you understand if a blocked chakra might be at the root of certain emotional or physical symptoms. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the chakras and their corresponding physical body parts, energetic meanings, and chakra colors:

1. 1.
   Root chakra: Located at the base of the spine and connected to your sense of security and power. Its color is red.
2. 2.
   Sacral chakra: Located several inches below the belly button and connected to your emotional state and creativity. Its color is orange.
3. 3.
   Solar plexus chakra: Located between the sternum (aka the breastbone) and the naval and connected with willpower, self-esteem, intellect, and confidence. Its color is yellow.
4. 4.
   Heart chakra: Located in the center of the chest and connected with compassion and love. Its color is green.
5. 5.
   Throat chakra: Located in the throat and neck area and associated with communication, self-expression, and authenticity. Its color is blue.
6. 6.
   Third-eye chakra: Located in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows and associated with sensory perception, curiosity, and subconsciousness. Its color is indigo.
7. 7.
   Crown chakra: Located at the top of the head and associated with transformation and spiritual connection. Its color is white or violet.

How to identify an imbalanced throat chakra

When any of your chakras is out of balance, you may be over- or under-expressing yourself in the associated area of life, or you may experience physical symptoms in the region where the chakra is located in the body. By contrast, a balanced chakra results in emotional and physical alignment when it comes to the meaning and location of the chakra.

In the case of the throat chakra, in particular, it follows that “a person with a balanced throat chakra is able to express their truth and engage in active listening with others,” says Reiki master, intuitive life coach, and mindfulness facilitator Song Atthajaroon. They will also not typically feel any pain or sensitivity in the throat or neck region.

By contrast, someone with an imbalanced throat chakra could have an overactive or under-active (aka blocked) throat chakra.

A person with an overactive throat chakra “may yell or speak over others, engage in gossip, be overly opinionated or critical, or use harsh words,” says Atthajaroon. Whereas, someone with an under-active or blocked throat chakra might struggle to express themselves or speak up at all, she says. And people with any kind of imbalanced throat chakra could also find themselves dealing with physical symptoms around the throat, neck, and shoulders, adds Lyons.

A few specific signs that your throat chakra is blocked, according to Lyons and Atthajaroon:

• Feeling misunderstood
• Being secretive or highly private
• Having a tough time listening
• Having a generally tough time communicating
• Having a thyroid disorder, speech disorder, or hearing problem
• Experiencing tightness, stiffness, or pain in the jawline, neck, or shoulders

How to unblock your throat chakra

If you notice your communication isn’t flowing as readily as you’d like or you recognize any of the above signs, know that it’s possible to restore balance to your throat chakra. Because the chakras are the body’s energy centers, chakra balancing and unblocking involves recirculating the energy flowing within you, says Atthajaroon. “Energy healing, sound healing, and movement are wonderful ways to get energy moving again through the throat chakra,” she says.

In particular, energy healing (typically via Reiki) works to “release stuck energy and invite in life force energy to balance and heal the throat chakra,” says Atthajaroon. Sound healing can have a similar effect through chanting, singing, the use of tuning forks, sound bathing, and breathwork. And because of the throat chakra’s location, “yoga and neck stretches can help unblock the throat chakra while we breathe through the poses,” she adds.

How to use throat chakra stones

Throat chakra stones encompass a set of crystals thought to help with unblocking and balancing the throat chakra. While scientific research hasn’t confirmed the health benefits of crystals, many people turn to them for support in areas of life where physical and mental health intersect—for example, for better sleep or inner strength, or to help quell anxiety, or attract abundance. And for the same reason, their healing powers are thought to have an effect on the balance of the chakras.

Despite the name, you don’t need to place throat chakra stones directly on your neck in order to reap the benefits. The easiest way to tap into the energy of your crystals is to simply carry them around with you and hold them, says Askinosie. This may be especially useful when you need to have an important conversation with someone or plan on doing any kind of public speaking.

However, wearing throat chakra symbols close to the throat chakra itself—meaning, as a necklace, on the back of the neck, or inside the collar of your top—can indeed help strengthen your communication, says Atthajaroon. You can even make your own chakra necklace, if you’re in the mood for a craft.

Lyons also recommends placing stones on your lips, throat, and upper chest as you meditate or recite chakra affirmations; doing so will help bring awareness to and balance the frequency of the throat chakra. “In meditation, visualize the stone’s vibration gently emanating into the throat and beginning to swirl bright blue,” she says. “Imagine the blue area gently spinning and getting brighter.”

7 best throat chakra stones to help you speak your truth

Because blue is the color associated with the throat chakra, generally speaking, any blue stone or crystal can help bring balance to this realm, says Askinosie.

“Crystals such as aquamarine, amazonite, turquoise, sodalite, lapis, and other blue stones like calcite, kyanite, and agate are known to have healing properties for the throat chakra,” says Atthajaroon.

If you’re in a pinch, head to your nearest crystal shop, and pick up the prettiest blue stone that catches your eye. Or, look for one of these seven expert-recommended throat chakra stones, in particular.

Blue Sodalite — $12.00

Blue sodalite can be especially helpful if you find yourself contending with negative thought patterns. “Blue sodalite brings us harmony and tranquility in our communications and settles our negative thoughts,” says Faith Davis, writer for the crystal distributor Cosmic Cuts. “It also helps us to better understand ourselves so that we can express ourselves authentically.”

“This crystal helps you speak your mind in a way that others will understand,” says Askinosie. “It has a calming, confidence-boosting energy that gives you the strength and comfortability to say what you need to say without fear or hesitation.” According to certified Reiki master Serena Poon, some believe it can also help heal physical symptoms that affect the throat, larynx, and vocal cords.

Lapis Lazuli — $13.00

“Lapis lazuli is the ideal stone for self-discovery because it helps us get to the truth of who we are,” says Davis. “It deepens our awareness, reveals to us our purpose, and inspires us to seek the knowledge that will make us a better version of ourselves.”

The deep-blue stone is also great if you have trouble hearing your inner wisdom. “It helps you to trust yourself, but also to understand the power of your words and the impact that your words can have on others,” Askinosie says. “With this wise understanding, you can communicate more consciously.”

Blue Apatite — $7.00

Expressing yourself fully is no easy feat, but popping a chunk of blue apatite in your pocket might make it easier. “Blue apatite is a stone of inspiration, and it inspires you to be yourself,” Askinosie says. “There’s no reason to hide your truth from the world, and blue apatite sparks your excitement to express yourself fully.”

Poon also recommends this crystal and says it helps with public speaking and enhancing group communication.

Aquamarine — $23.00

Do you have a habit of overthinking about what you’re going to say? This soothing gemstone is just what you need. “Associated with water, aquamarine has a very fluid and easygoing energy to it,” says Askinosie. “This crystal helps you stay present and be flexible when communicating with others.” In other words? Rather than getting fixed or attached to how a conversation should go, with aquamarine nearby, you’ll be better able to go with the flow, she says.

Aquamarine is also a stone of empowerment, so it’s great if you need help unleashing your inner Beyoncé. “It helps us to exhibit power without force,” says Davis. “That is something that is always useful when expressing ourselves and working with the throat chakra.”

Blue Kyanite — $6.00

If the idea of putting yourself out there makes you break out in a cold sweat, reach for a piece of blue kyanite to help you bust through that resistance. “It helps one to fully step into their power of expression, own their true essence, and stand in their truth on their unique path,” says Lyons.

Blue Lace Agate — $12.00

This dreamy, light-blue crystal is all about easing stress and tension. “Blue lace agate helps calm any worries you may feel before sharing your authentic self with the world,” says Askinosie. So if you’re feeling nervous to say something, holding this stone in hand could give you the dose of calm that you need to show up as your true self.

Turquoise — $18.00

Turquoise has a soothing, calming energy about it, which makes it a great stone to use for balancing the throat chakra, says Atthajaroon. It’s also associated with wholeness or oneness, meaning it could help you better connect to your inner truth and speak from a place of alignment.