Aromatherapy Massage: Essential Oils

Aromatherapy massage has been around for thousands of years. Ancient greece, Rome, Eqypt and of course India were using essential oils and herbal extracts in many different medical applications.

Science has proven the effect of essential oil on the limbic system, which is charge of our emotions, but indirectly influence our nervous system and hormones.

Research shows that essential oils can have a profound effect on affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system.

This means that aromatherapy massage is great for situations where clients deal with emotional imbalances and stressful situations.

Aromatherapy massage can be done in two ways.

You can mix a single or multiple essential oils in a neutral carrier oil

Advantages: The essential oils will also be absorbed through the skin or at least will have some effect on the skin itself

Downside: Essential oils cannot be used without a carrier oil. Even if essentials oils are mixed with a carrier oil, they still might lead to skin reactions. Therapists who
You can use an aromatherapy oil diffuser to fill the air with the fragrance of a single essential oil or a blend of different essential oils.

Advantage: The essential oil never gets in contact with the skin of the clients.

Disadvantage: Some possible effects are only possible if the essential oil is absorbed through the skin.

Essential oils should be mixed according to healing properties and matching fragrances. It is usually not recommended to mix more than 2-3 oils in a blend. I usually prefer only single preparations.

Here are some basic oils with soothing and stimulating effects:

For Relaxation:

Lavender, myrrh, cardamom, cedar wood, German chamomile, sage and frankincense.

To Energize:

Lemon, grapefruit, basil, bergamot, sweet orange, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tangerine. Please see below an introductory 3 part video series on Aromatherapy Massage (30 minutes - free)

Footnote: Massage Oils that dissolve in water are a great invention. They come either scented or unscented. There is Vanilla-Coconut, Lavender, Peppermint. I prefer unscented, so I bought that. It feels a little bit different than traditional massage oil, but not much. If you get it on your sheets, pillows and clothes, just put them in the wash. Anyway it works great. Click here to see the product. (Opens in a new window).