There is nothing more comforting to the spirit and nourishing to the soul than a simple aromatherapy massage. Lovely though it is to see a massage therapist you can recreate a lovely aromatherapy massage in your own home. Just allow yourself time to relax and indulge yourself. There is no need to learn complicated massage techniques just a simple sweeping action (called effleurage) and a gentle kneading action (called petrissage) are all you need to know. Both are incredibly effective and entirely therapeutic. Just remember use the kneading action on fleshy bits and the sweeping action on bony bits.
Blending
You don't need to buy expensive massage blends. Its so lovely to create your own blends with oils that address your own needs and suit your nose! Just look at the A-Z of Essential Oils to find out the oils with the properties you require and that are suitable to use on skin. You don't really want to overwhelm your nose so don't use more than three different essential oils in your blend. When you are just starting out its lovely just to combine two oils to really get a feel for the kind of scent you like. Its such a lovely process, discovering essential oils and creating new blends and I would recommend everyone has a go! You may just surprise yourself!
Choosing Your Carrier Oil
Essential Oils cannot be used directly on skin, they must first be diluted with a carrier oil. Choosing the right carrier oil will make a profound difference to your blend and your skin will thank you for it. Listed below are some simple vegetable oils that are easily found in your local supermarket, but don't let that put you off as they are chock full of gorgeous nutrients. Just a quick note - though I use organic carrier oils in my blends (because I source from organic, fair trade specialist suppliers) I do understand that you may have difficulty finding organic, so just use what you can easily locate, your skin will still drink it in!
Olive Oil (extra virgin, cold pressed if you can!)
One of the best carrier oils available. It is rich in skin healing nutrients making it particularly suitable to skin that suffers from acne breakouts, inflammation or scarring.
Sunflower Oil (organic if you can!)
A very light oil that sinks into the skin very easily. With a gently anti-inflammatory action it is perfect for very dry skin.
Grapeseed (organic if you can!)
A light, neutral oil that you can blend with either of the ones above if you find them a little to thick. It does have a high vitamin e content and penetrates easily into the skin.
Making the Massage Blend
When making a simple blend I recommend you use a tiny cream jug. It will just make enough massage oil for one treatment and is makes it very easy to pour the massage blend into your hand.
2 tbsp of your chosen carrier oil (works out at about 20ml)
5 drops of your essential oils blend
Add the essential oils to your small jug. Swirl the cream jug in a circular motion, this will gently blend the essential oils. Then add your carrier oil, swirl again to ensure that the oils are really blended well together.
Massage Tips
Don't be brutal, it isn't supposed to be torture!
Always work your massage strokes towards your heart.
When massaging tummy, just use a circular,clockwise sweeping action.
Remember the kneading action is only for fleshy bits like thighs, bottom and upper arms. Be gentle, knead lightly with your fingers (not your knuckles this is your delicate skin, not bread!)
Allow yourself time to enjoy the massage, it really is best undertaken in a leisurely manner.
Blending
You don't need to buy expensive massage blends. Its so lovely to create your own blends with oils that address your own needs and suit your nose! Just look at the A-Z of Essential Oils to find out the oils with the properties you require and that are suitable to use on skin. You don't really want to overwhelm your nose so don't use more than three different essential oils in your blend. When you are just starting out its lovely just to combine two oils to really get a feel for the kind of scent you like. Its such a lovely process, discovering essential oils and creating new blends and I would recommend everyone has a go! You may just surprise yourself!
Choosing Your Carrier Oil
Essential Oils cannot be used directly on skin, they must first be diluted with a carrier oil. Choosing the right carrier oil will make a profound difference to your blend and your skin will thank you for it. Listed below are some simple vegetable oils that are easily found in your local supermarket, but don't let that put you off as they are chock full of gorgeous nutrients. Just a quick note - though I use organic carrier oils in my blends (because I source from organic, fair trade specialist suppliers) I do understand that you may have difficulty finding organic, so just use what you can easily locate, your skin will still drink it in!
Olive Oil (extra virgin, cold pressed if you can!)
One of the best carrier oils available. It is rich in skin healing nutrients making it particularly suitable to skin that suffers from acne breakouts, inflammation or scarring.
Sunflower Oil (organic if you can!)
A very light oil that sinks into the skin very easily. With a gently anti-inflammatory action it is perfect for very dry skin.
Grapeseed (organic if you can!)
A light, neutral oil that you can blend with either of the ones above if you find them a little to thick. It does have a high vitamin e content and penetrates easily into the skin.
Making the Massage Blend
When making a simple blend I recommend you use a tiny cream jug. It will just make enough massage oil for one treatment and is makes it very easy to pour the massage blend into your hand.
2 tbsp of your chosen carrier oil (works out at about 20ml)
5 drops of your essential oils blend
Add the essential oils to your small jug. Swirl the cream jug in a circular motion, this will gently blend the essential oils. Then add your carrier oil, swirl again to ensure that the oils are really blended well together.
Massage Tips
Don't be brutal, it isn't supposed to be torture!
Always work your massage strokes towards your heart.
When massaging tummy, just use a circular,clockwise sweeping action.
Remember the kneading action is only for fleshy bits like thighs, bottom and upper arms. Be gentle, knead lightly with your fingers (not your knuckles this is your delicate skin, not bread!)
Allow yourself time to enjoy the massage, it really is best undertaken in a leisurely manner.