Massage oil: how to choose oil

Massage: the choice of oil

The choice of the type of massage oil depends both on the disorder you want to alleviate and on your personal preferences; many essences have similar therapeutic activities, so sometimes the choice is personal. Clearly, if a therapeutic massage is required, the choice of oil must be more precise and aimed at the resolution of the given disorder.

The reasoned use of several different massage oils, characterized therefore by peculiar medicinal extracts, allows to enhance the effect, acting in synergy: in this way, the combination of different oils allows to act on diversified disorders. However, it is preferable not to mix more than 4 or 5 different types of essences: in general, no more than 60 essence drops can be added to 100 ml of massage oil.

Massage oils

The most common massage oils include:

• Jojoba oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Wheat germ oil
• Sesame oil,
• Coconut oil
• Borage oil

To these oils, which - we recall once again - act as a base, the essential extracts are added, measured in drops.

Types of massages

Here are some examples.

• Massages to relax: an oil particularly suitable for relaxation, useful for combating anxiety, nervous tension and stress can be characterized by extracts of lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia Miller), bitter orange ( Citrus × aurantium ) or bergamot ( Citrus bergamia ). Phytotherapy, combined with massage, therefore helps fight muscle fatigue and reduce stress.
• Massages to counteract palpitations and / or high blood pressure associated with stress: in these cases, the addition to the oily matrix of essential oils of ylang-ylang ( Cananga odorata, known for its ability both to stimulate circulation and to reduce the palpitations), lavender (relaxing plant par excellence, sedative of the CNS), neroli (vegetable oil extracted from bitter orange).
• Massages against muscle tension: the most suitable oils for this problem are added with essences of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ), juniper ( Juniperus communis ) and lemon ( Citrus × limon ), also suitable for stimulating circulation. Juniper is particularly useful for rheumatic pains, rosemary is considered one of the most famous medicinal plants used to stimulate microcirculation, while lemon stimulates lymphatic circulation. These essences, dispersed in the oil, act in synergy favoring the derived effect of the massage.

Massage oil: Summary

Massage oil: beneficial properties	During the massage, the oil is the useful expedient to transport the heat from the hands of the one who practices it to the skin of the recipient: facilitates friction makes the skin smooth and soft prevents drying out of the skin gives relief to the muscles reduces stress lightens the weight of the body supports the therapeutic / relaxing action of massage
Massage oil: components	Essential oils (or essences), responsible for the relaxing / energetic / therapeutic effect of the massage Fat matrix, in which the essences are dispersed
The importance of oil in massage	The oil should never be applied directly to the skin It is not necessary to use a large quantity of product The choice of aromatic oil during the massage seems to be even more relevant than the massage itself Cold-pressed and unrefined oils are the most suitable for massage (all the intrinsic qualities of the oil are preserved) BUT: cold-pressed and unrefined oils may contain some fungal spores that can be easily reactivated on contact with water The essences must never be used as well, because they are irritating Vegetable oils are preferable instead of mineral oils
Massage oil: the benefit of essences	During the massage, the flavored oil also benefits from the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants The essences contained in the oil are able to: Free the skin of toxins Heat up Relieve pain Reduce swelling Relax and oxygenate the skin
Massage oil: choice of oil	Depend on: Disorder that is intended to alleviate Personal preferences
Most common oily matrices	Jojoba oil Sweet almond oil Wheat germ oil Sesame oil Coconut oil Borage oil
Most used essential oils	Oil flavored with: Lavender, bitter orange or bergamot extracts for relaxing massages Rosemary, juniper and lemon extracts for massage against muscle tension Ylang-ylang, lavender and neroli extracts to counteract palpitations and / or high blood pressure associated with stress