The Skinny on Oils - Making a Massage Oil

Putting your own massage oils together is fabulous fun and seriously creative. 

We all know that few essential oils can be used straight onto the skin.  

You need a carrier oil to dilute the EO. and make the ideal medium for massage. 

Start with a great carrier oil then add the Essential oils to make the perfect blend. 

Grapeseed oil and Sweet Almond Oil are lighter and easy to locate.  Jojoba and Avocado oils are richer.    Combine the lighter and richer oils to create a consistency that you like. 

Any vegetable oil can be used as a carrier but best to avoid those with strong smells like Olive Oil.  While great for the skin, it will completely ruin your aromatherapy blend.   But try sunflower oil, apricot, peach,rosehip oil, coconut, vitamin E oil or soya oils.   All wonderful options. 

For a full body massage, you will need about 20 mls  ( 2 dessert spoons) of carrier oil and add 10 drops of essential oil.   

For your face 10 ml of carrier oil is enough and only 5 drops of Essential oil. 

Many shy away from self massage for 2 main concerns.  We are doing something wrong or the moves will not be effective enough to make a difference.  

Go for it !!   It will feel good.    You will know immediately if you are doing something wrong.  Become more in tune with your body.  

Even the bits you cannot reach  e.g. the spine - can be addressed using reflexology principles.   Your spine is reflected in your feet along the instep.   Stretch out your feet by pulling along your instep from heel to toe and see how relaxing it is on your spine.

The other plus about giving a self massage is that you clear your mind of everything except the massage movements themselves.  This magnifies the relaxing effect.  

Touch is so therapeutic.  Begin with the simplest and lightest of movements.   Massage does not have to be firm.  Gentle regular rhythmic movements work best. 

Essential Oils really do have the power to reverse a mood.  Transforming yourself from crabby to happy, stressed to calm , frantic to relaxed is almost effortless. 

Some quick and easy ideas for body use - you do not have to remove your clothes. 

All can be used for full body massage excluding the face.   If you have a medical condition consult your doctor please.   These blends are suitable for healthy adults. 

If you really are not into massage - add them to a bath and still get mood changing results.   7 drops of essential oil in a bath of warm water is perfect. 

Add a spoonful of milk first as this helps the essential oils spread throughout the water. 

Exhausted:  After a busy day at work.  Need to brighten up and enjoy the evening but too stressed for something that's fiddly and takes ages.    This is for the face.  

For the Face :   Clean the skin then using the finger tips trace and massage the oil all over the contours of the face for 5 minutes. Breathe in the fragrance as you massage. 

Oils:   1 drop  rose.   1 drop of mandarin, 1 drop of sweet orange.    

         5 mls of rosehip carrier oil.  

Stress Big Time :   Too much to do and not sure where to start.   Major stress headache starting at the back of the neck.   Calm the mood and kill the headache.  

For the Shoulders & Neck.    Using firms stroking movements, stroke the neck upwards with alternate hands.  Trace and massage the contours of the shoulder bone with the tips of your fingers. 

Oils:   3 drops of chamomile , 3 drops of sweet orange and 4 drops of rose geranium or                     palmarosa. 

         10 mls of almond oil and 10 mls grapeseed oil.  

Aching All Over :     Feeling like you have been run over by a bus and need a soothing massage that will send you off to sleep and make you feel restored in the morning.

For the Feet.    Massage every part of the feet using small circular movements, even between the toes.  Remember every bone represents a part of your body so dont leave anything out. 

Oils :   3 drops of basil,  3 drops of frankincense, 3 drops of nutmeg. 

          10 mls of coconut oil and 10 mls of jojoba oil  

Cant get Started ?  :   Lots to do and yet cannot stir yourself to get going.  

For the Legs:    Using both hands to surround the leg, massage all the way up to the thigh and down again, applying as much pressure as is comfortable.  Keep massaging for 5 minutes each leg.  

Oils:  4 drops of lemon verbena or lemongrass,  3 drops of rosemary, and 3 drops of lemon.

        15 ml grapeseed oil and 5 ml of vitamin E oil. 

A Case of the Blues :  One of those days when your cannot put your finger on it but you are feeling down.   You need to feel uplifted again and raring to go. !  

For the Scalp and back :   Make a fist of both hands and gently use the knuckles to massage the back and all the way up through the scalp.   Release the fingers from time to time and follow the same route.  Massage for 10 minutes. 

Oils:   3 drops of clary sage, 2 drops of bergamot and 4 drops of tangerine or orange.  or as an alternative    3 drops of nutmeg, 4 drops of verbena or lemongrass and 3 drops of pine.  This is more manly. 

         10 mls sunflower oil and 10 mls of avocado oil.