Massage - How To Prepare Massage Oil

Massage - Prepare Massage Oil

Prepare massage oil is important as the massage it self. You have to carefully prepare the massage base oil and add some essential oil for the aromatic effect. Preparing oil for massage can be a delighting experience in itself. It sets the mood, and the care and thought put into it will increase the massage experience.

Mixing and preparing the oils can be very delighting. There are various oils that you can use, and finding a combination that suits you is often just a matter of experimentation. The ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oil is the basic oil used to allow the hands to glide freely over the skin. Grapeseed, a light vegetable oil without a heavy smell, is a very good carrier oil. Almond oil, a slightly sweeter, thicker oil, feels more luxurious on the skin. Oils of avocado and apricot are rich, nourishing oils, which may be added to make a mixture fuller. Oil of jojoba is a beautiful, more expensive oil, which is particularly good for massaging the face.

Another group of oils, essential oils, are added to the carrier oil to enhance the effect of massage. Containing the essential nature of a plant, they can give an aromatherapy effect that is extremely important. Remember that you need only use a few drops of essential oil for each amount of base oil and they should not be used directly on the skin.

Traditionally essential oils’ aromatherapy value are used for the treatment of various conditions. For example, for relaxation, use lavender, a particularly useful, fresh, healing oil, or chamomile, which has a calming, relaxing effect.

In order to get to know them, try them separately at first, mixing a couple of drops into some base oil. For heightening the calming effect, try these oils – sandalwood, a woody, eastern scent; patchouli, a more stimulating, sweet, dark odor; or ylang ylang, which has euphoric, sweet, floral smell.

Experiment with these oils and see which ones suits you best. Perhaps the most beautiful of oils, and also the most expensive, are delicate neroli (orange blossom), which uplift; exotic jasmine, which uplifts; and luxurious, soothing oil of rose. Also reputed to have uplifting properties, these are evocative, irresistibly heady scents. Although mixing can be extremely satisfying, you can if you prefer, buy ready mixed oils.

There are various oils that you can use, finding a combination that suits you is often just a matter of experimentation. You can make up as much as you like. If you start with 1 fl oz (29ml) of base oil, you will make enough oil for about four massages. The ratio you should remember is use up to, but not more than, 12 drops of essential oil per 1 fl oz (29ml) of base oil. For the massage you can use a shallow dish in which to put some oil, or use a small bottle with stopper. If you are planning to massage frequently, you could prepare a mixture by filling 1 or 2 fl oz (29 or 58ml) glass bottles. If you add an optional teaspoon of wheat germ oil the mixture is preserved for a longer period.

Below is some formulation that you can use to prepare the oil for massage:

Massage Oil Preparation: Base Oil formula
(recipes for 1 fl oz (28ml) of base oil)
- Fill a 1 fl oz (28ml) bottle three quarters full with grapeseed oil.
- Add five percent almond oil.
- Add half a teaspoon of wheat germ oil for preservation (optional).
- Add 12 drops of essential oil.
- Fill up the remainder of the bottle with grapeseed oil.
- Use a screw-top bottle and store in a cool place.

Massage Oil Preparation: Relaxing Massage Oil
Mix seven drops of lavender and five drops of chamomile to the base massage oil or simply 12 drops of lavender

Massage - Prepare Massage Oil

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