8 Aromatherapy Formulas for Therapeutic Massages

Although massages have been recommended and applied for thousands of years to gain health and well-being, today we know that the skin is extremely sensitive and receptive to touch. When receiving a massage, the skin reacts immediately by sending messages to the brain through a wide network of neurotransmitters and activates the secretion of hormones related to pleasure: endorphins, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.

Thanks to these hormones we can fight against stress or depression, stimulate the immune system and increase self-esteem. For greater benefit or for specific therapeutic purposes, masseurs often use vegetable oils and essential oils in their massages.

Massages with essential oils

The vegetable oils they are generally used to facilitate the sliding of the hands over the body, but in the case of aromatherapy massage They are also essential for dilute and carry the essential oilssince some of the latter, in their pure state, can be aggressive for the skin.

Essential oils allow endless possibilities and should be chosen carefully for optimal results. They are highly concentrated volatile extracts of aromatic plants or trees.

These distilled essences offer the best and most powerful that the vegetable kingdom can give. The large number of molecules they contain help to resolve many common ailments and, in massages, they can be used to relieve or eliminate painmuscle tension, joint stiffness, fluid retention, cellulite, stress and its repercussions, etc.

But the benefits of aromatherapy massage they go beyond a specific action on an ailment or system. Essential oils give us their aromas and thereby stimulate the forgotten sense of smell, connect us with emotions and they are capable of reviving memories and positively influencing our behavior.

Using essential oils in a massage offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the body through two of the main senses: touch and smell.

We live in a world where sight and hearing are in excessive demand. On the other hand, we are not usually very good at touching, caressing, hugging… On the other hand, body odors are often combated with an excess of hygiene and perfumes that deprive us of valuable information and form of communication.

It seems very significant in a society that has become cold and insensitive, in which what is seen is more important than what is felt and in which silence has disappeared. I encourage you to fully live the adventure of smelling and touching to achieve greater well-being, health and better relationships..

Through massages with essential oils, a new way of communicating with oneself, with the partner or with the children is discovered. Full awareness, love and total respect will be the equally essential ingredients for a unique and complete experience.

Basic precautions when using essential oils on the skin

In this article you will find proposals to start enjoy aromatherapy massages. But first, some basic precautions:

In general, you can prepare an oil for the whole body using a maximum concentration in essential oils of 5%.It is preferable to choose 100% pure and natural essential oilschemotyped and above all do not use those rich in phenols (oregano, cloves, ajowan, thyme thymol, savory). limit the use of essential oils with a high ketone content (peppermint, camphor rosemary, menthol eucalyptus) and citrus essences or essential oils rich in coumarins (angelica, visnaga, celery, lovage).Cinnamon essential oil can be used diluted in vegetable oil in proportions less than 5%. At the end of the massage You have to wash your hands.

The best essential oil blends for massage

These formulas have concrete benefits. Use them according to the main purpose of your massage.

Massage for tired feet

In this mixture are used three essential oils highly indicated to fight fatigue and stress, and help maintain healthy feet. It is a very aromatic oil that is particularly pleasant in summer due to the freshness provided by the mint and rosemary.

In a glass bowl pour:

1 tablespoon of sweet almond vegetable oil.1 drop of essential oil field mint (mentha arvensis).1 drop of essential oil ho stick (Cinnamomum camphora chemotype linalool).1 drop of essential oil rosemary camphor (Rosmarinus officinalis chemotype camphor).

Mix everything well and warm the mixture in your hands. Take one foot with both hands and massage it.

Make circular movements with the thumbs on the sole, light friction on the instep and ankle, without forgetting to massage the fingers. He then changes feet.

Precautions: This formula is not suitable in the pregnancy not even lactation.

Massage for tired legs

This aromatic oil exerts a circulatory and refreshing action. In a small dropper bottle (30 ml) pour:

50 drops of essential oil cypress (Cupressus sempervirens).50 drops of essential oil of niaouli (melaleuca quinquenervia).50 drops of essential oil of juniper (Juniperus virginiana).30 drops of essential oil of field mint (mentha arvensis).Apricot Kernel Vegetable Oil to complete until the jar is filled.

Mix well and warm the mixture in your hands before applying. Apply with a massage going up from the ankles to the knees.

Precautions: This formula is not suitable in the pregnancy not even lactation.

Massage for muscular contractures

In a glass bowl pour:

3 drops of vegetable oil arnica.1 drop of essential oil marjoram (Origanum majorana).1 drop of essential oil exotic basil (Ocimum basilicum ssp basilicum).1 drop of essential oil lavandin (Lavandula hybrida clone super).

Mix well and warm the mixture in your hands before applying in the contracted area.

anti-stress massage

This anti-stress massage oil creates a synergy of immunostimulating and energizing properties.

In a glass bowl pour:

1 tablespoon of apricot kernel vegetable oil.1 drop of essential oil marjoram (Origanum majorana).1 drop of essential oil ho stick (Cinnamomum camphora chemotype linalool).1 drop of essential oil ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora cineole chemotype).

Mix well and warm the mixture in your hands before applying it to your back, specifically at the nape of the neck and on both sides of the spine.

To apply this fragrance oil it is better to have the complicity of the couple. But you can also apply a self-massage on the neck and shoulders.

Relaxing massage

This oil is used for body massage or localized areass, and for after the shower. In a dropper bottle (30 ml):

10 drops of essential oil sweet orange (Citrus sinensis).30 drops of essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).It is completed with Apricot kernel vegetable oil.

For those who do not appreciate the smell of lavender I propose:

20 drops of Egyptian geranium essential oil (pelargonium asperum)20 drops of exotic verbena essential oil (Litsea citrata) The mixture is completed with apricot nut vegetable oil

Anti-cellulite massage

In a 50 ml bottle:

2 ml of Atlas cedar essential oil (Cedrus atlantica)2 ml of common juniper essential oil (Juniperus communis)2 ml of blue eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus citriodora)0.5 ml of essential oil of cinnamon bark (Cinnamomun zeylanicum)0.5 ml of grapefruit essential oil (citrus paradisii)0.5 ml of immortelle essential oil (Helichrysum italicum)Apricot Kernel Vegetable Oil until the rest of the jar is filled.

Apply a few drops on the affected areas and perform a massage of about five minutes. Better results are always obtained if a mixture adapted to each case is prepared.

Precautions: You don’t have to apply this formula. before sunbathing. Furthermore, this formula is not suitable in the pregnancy not even lactation.

Anti-wrinkle facial massage

In a dropper bottle (30 ml):

3 drops of essential oil egyptian geranium (pelargonium asperum)3 drops of essential oil of rockrose (Cistus ladaniferum)3 drops of essential oil of ho stick (Cinnamomum camphora chemotype linalool)10 ml of apricot kernel vegetable oil.10 ml of rosehip vegetable oil.10 ml of argan vegetable oil.

Mix and warm 3-4 drops in hands. Apply to the face and neck using a gentle massage with circular movements, tapping with the tips of the fingers and gently pinching the skin to stimulate it.

Relaxing massage for babies

Essential oils are not used in newbornsonly sweet almond vegetable oil.

From 3 months they can be massaged with an oil prepared as indicated below. The ideal proportions of essential oil (total) for a 50 ml bottle are, by age:

You drink from 3 to 6 months: 3 drops Babies from 6 months to 2 years: 5 dropsFrom 2 years: 10 drops

Some calming essential oils suitable for babies are:

essential oil lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).Essential oil roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).​

In winterfor babies and young children it is interesting to use:

essential oil ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora chemitiotype cineole) for its antiviral and immunostimulant properties.