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Oils for massage
 
 Oils have been used in massage treatments throughout history.  Homer wrote about an oily medium used for
massage as early as 1000 B.C.   Plato and Socrates wrote of anointing with oil and rubbing to ease pain.
Today there are many types of oils with many uses.  It is necessary to experiment with the many types and
try them on a variety of skin types to develop your own sense of use and personal preference.
The purpose of using oil in a massage is to facilitate the gliding over the client's skin.  The various oils contain
ingredients for nourishing the skin and promoting health.  Essential oils (fragrant oils distilled from plants,
trees, roots, seeds) can be added for further enhancing the treatment.

When buying oils, look for cold-pressed or expellier-pressed ( made with the least amount of heating and
processing) as they last longer.  ( A rancid oil can cause free radical damage to your self and client.) 
Keep large quantities of oils refrigerated or in a cool place (below 65 degrees) when not in use to delay spoilage.
Vitamin E added each month to the oil will help prevent spoilage.  Use about 300 IU of vitamin E per pint of oil.
A rancid oil will have an unusual smell to it and taste bitter.

These are the basic oils and can be used in combination or alone.  Essential Oils can be added for additional
therapeutic purpose.

Type

Properties

Uses

Sweet Almond
  • color: very pale yellow
  • Ingredients:  glucosides, minerals, vitamins, proteins
  • penetrates skin and nourishes
  • anti-inflammatory
  • light
     
  • good for most skin types
  • especially for dry, itching skin
  • can be used 100% 
     

Apricot Kernel Oil
  • color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: vitamins, minerals
  • relieves stress
  • balancing
  • good for all skin types
  • especially for skin that is prematurely aged, dry, sensitive or inflamed
  • can be used 100%

Avocado
  • heavy green color
  • Ingredients:  Vit A, E
  • good for most skin types
  • heavy; use in 10% dilution with base oil

Borage Oil
  • color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: gamma linolenic acid, vitamins, minerals
  • regenerative
  • penetrating
  • stimulating
  • eczema, psoriasis

Castor Oil
  • color: light yellow
  • very thick, sticky
  • cleanses lymphatic system
  • draws out toxins
  • breaks up scar tissue
  • use on dry, cracked feet
  • use on scar tissue
  • use in poultice (wool flannel cloth)

Coconut Oil
  • color: light yellow
  • solid at room temperature; needs to be warmed.
  • thick, heavy grounding
  • good for all skin types, especially dry, cracked skin

Emu Oil
  • color: light yellow
  • anti-inflammatory
  • assists in collagen formation
  • good for all skin types: may block pores is some; watch for reactions
  • used for arthritis, bursitis, sore muscles, bruising, eczema, keloids

Grapeseed Oil
  • color: none or very pale green
  • Ingredients: vitamins, minerals, proteins
  • highest in linoleic acid
  • non-allergenic
  • good for all skin types
  • can be used 100%

Jojoba Oil
  • color: dark  yellow
  • Ingredients: protein, minerals
  • From a bean of a desert shrub
  • helps prevent oxidization of essential oils
  • waxy-solid at cold temperatures
  • antibacterial
  • assists in breaking down sebum in plugged pores
  • highly penetrating
  • balances the brain and pituitary
  • Used to treat skin disorders, eczema, acne
  • keeps longer than most oils
  • good carrier oil
  • Use full strength or in dilution with other oils

Kukui Nut Oil
  • color: none
  • odorless
  • Ingredients: linoleic and linolenic acid
  • slightly warming effect
  • light, dries fast
  • antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
  • helps keep oil from going rancid
  • good for all skin types
  • usually an additive

Olive Oil
  • color: green
  • Ingredients: proteins, minerals, vitamins E, calcium ,copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, carotene
  • warming
  • relieves stiffness
  • heavy
  • good for all skin types
  • can be used 100%, but rather thick: diluted is best
  • Extra virgin and cold pressed  recommended.

Peanut Oil
  •  color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: protein, vitamin B and niacin, minerals
  • anti-inflammatory
  • thick
  • smells like peanuts
  • check to see if client is allergic to peanuts
  • good for all skin types
  • especially dry skin
  • use for bursitis, arthritis
  • make sure it's organic

Sesame Oil
  • Color: dark yellow
  • Ingredients: vitamin E,  lecithin, amino acids
  • antiseptic, anti-fungal
  • nourishing
  • prevents premature aging of skin
  • purifier
  • thought to be the most stable of oils in terms of spoilage.
  • May want to use odorless 
  • good for all skin types, except for red, rashy irritated skin
  • can be used on dry cracked skin
  • rheumatism, arthritis
  • destroys ringworm, scabies and most fungal skin diseases.
  • can be used 100% but diluted to 10% is best (can be too warming)

Safflower Oil
  • color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: protein, minerals, vitamin E, linoleic acid
  • blood cleanser
  • quickly turns rancid
  • good for all skin types
  • can be used 100%

Wheat Germ Oil
  • color:pale yellow
  • Ingredients: Vitamin E, proteins, minerals, other vitamins
  • help prevents oxidization of essential oils
  • Check for wheat allergies
  • Use in 10% dilution with base oil

Additional additives include:

  • Aloe Vera- soothing to skin irritations, burns

  • Evening Primrose- 10% dilution

  • Flax seed- assists with grounding client

  • Calendula- Anti-viral, soothing to irritations

  • Cayenne- for increasing circulation

  • Arnica- for muscle soreness, trauma, bruising

  • Wheat germ oil- good for eczema, psoriasis, aging skin

  • Hazel Nut oil- astringent, heavier;

  • Grape seed extract- anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal

Aromatherapy massage oils

Massage oils for Aromatherapy consist of an essential oil, or oils blended with a suitable carrier oil. Massage has a powerful effect on the body and the emotions, combined with the therapeutic qualities of essential oils massage can be a very invigorating or deeply relaxing experience.

Below are some of our suggestions for blended massage oils to relax or revive.

Invigorating citrus massage

Blend 3 drops of bergamot essential oil, 2 drops of peppermint and 1 drop of lemon in 20mls of sweet almond oil (2fl oz). Bergamot has an uplifting citrus aroma and balsamic overtones, this blended with the stimulating 'coolness' of the peppermint and the citrus 'tang' of the lemon oil produce a wonderfully uplifting massage blend.

Invigorating lavender massage

Blend 2 drops of Lavender with 2 drops of orange and 2 drops of peppermint with 20mls of Sweet almond oil. This blend is a 'cooling' invigorating mixture with the floral scent of the lavender combining with the lively peppermint and the warm orange oil. An invigorating massage experience.

Relaxing massage

Three drops of Sandalwood and one drop of chamomile blended with 20mls of sweet almond oil. A relaxing blend with the relaxing tones of the sandalwood and the 'fruity' tones of the chamomile. An ideal massage blend to unwind with at the end of the day.

Carrier oils for massage

The best results are achieved when the essential oils and carrier oils are blended just prior to use. A massage will use between 10 and 20ml of oil, about six drops of essential oil blended with an appropriate carrier oil.

 


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