Massage Message

Aromatherapy massage is known to alleviate stress and stress-related conditions such as insomnia but also digestive problems, headache, back pain, and even premenstrual syndrome in woman. This is a type of massage therapy which uses essential oils added to the massage oil being used or directly to the skin mixed with a carrier oil. The essential oils used contain substances that have been found to be beneficial as well as therapeutic when inhaled or absorbed by the body through the skin.

It is believed that the sense of smell affects the ability the body has to heal itself The nostrils are connected to a section of the brain called the limbic sytem. When a person inhales essential oils, they enter the body through the nostrils and messages are transmitted to the limbic system which influences things such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, the immune system, memory, and most importantly, in my opinion, stress level.

When applying these oils to the skin they should always be diluted by a carrier oil. This prevents a possible burning sensation and/or irritation because they are very concentrated and potent at full strength. The carrier oil also aids in the absorption of the essential oil through the skin. Unlike essential oils, carrier oils do not evaporate or give off such a strong aroma as essential oils do. The carrier oils should be light and non-sticky for the penetration to take place effectively. The carrier oil can make a great deal of difference in how well the blend with the essential oil will work.

Each essential oil used in aromatherapy offers different properties for healing and the one used depends on the goal of the treatment being performed. Besides helping with absorption they also provide the necessary lubrication to allow the hands to move more smoothly over the skin.The various oils contain ingredients for nourishing the skin and promoting health. In addition to the essential oil properties, certain carrier oils also have healing properties of their own while others may end up causing a problem. This is why using the right carrier oil is crucial.

Carrier oils should be natural and preferably cold-pressed as this will prevent the oil from being damaged by heat or chemicals. Some therapists use vegetable oil or olive oil as the carrier oil while others may use borage oil or even vitamin E oil. Most likely though it will be an oil such as sweet almond, arnica, sunflower, avocado, coconut, carrot oil, jojoba, or sunflower to name a few. A good ratio for dilution would be 10 drops of essential oil for every 2 tablespoons of the carrier oil used.  It is always a good idea to test the blend when using new oils or recipes and to increase the dilution when making blends for children or pregnant woman.

These oils should be stored in a cool, dark place to prevent spoilage and ensure their effectiveness. They usually have a shorter shelf life than essential oils so it is recommended that a natural preservative be used such as vitamin E. Over time, carrier oils go rancid but the essential oils do not. What the essential oils do is oxidize and loose their therapeutic qualities.

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