What Are the Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage?

The benefits of aromatherapy massage include both the benefits of massage therapy and of using essential oils, inhaling and absorbing them through your skin. (See how aromatherapy works.)

What Is Aromatherapy Massage?

Anyone can add essential oils to a massage oil and call the experience an aromatherapy massage. But you will get the best results, and avoid unwanted side effects, from a massage therapist who has aromatherapy training that taught both the benefits and risks of essential oils.

While adverse reactions, such as itchiness, redness, rash, swelling, and hives, are not common, they do happen. The therapist should ask about your health conditions, medications, sensitivities, and allergies, as certain essential oils may be inappropriate for you.

To get the most benefit from a massage using essential oils, you want a therapist who knows how to make a personalized blend of oils based both on your preferences and the desired effects—whether that's to relieve minor ailments, release stress and tension, or pamper you with an aromatic beauty treatment.

To gauge a massage therapist's knowledge, AromaWeb suggests asking the therapist to define aromatherapy and explain to you what essential oils and cold-pressed vegetable oils are. You can also ask about the therapist's training and the specific products used.

Aromatherapy massage or Swedish massage? Swedish massage techniques are commonly used to do an aromatherapy massage, although massage therapists may use other techniques. Ask if you want to know!

Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Both aromatherapy and massage can have the following benefits:

• Relax you and help decrease stress, tension, anxiety, and depression
• Help relieve muscle tension and pain, joint pain, headaches, and other types of pain
• Promote focus and improve mood and mental clarity
• Support better sleep
• Feel good and support you mental health

Essential Oils for Massage

You can use many different essentials oils for massage.

Generally, you want to use a one to two percent dilution for a full-body aromatherapy massage, though you might use three percent for specific painful or injured areas.

• 1% dilution: 6 drops essential oil in 2 tablespoons (one ounce) carrier oil
• 2% dilution: 12 drops in 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 3% dilution: 18 drops in 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Blending a massage oil starts with knowing which benefits of aromatherapy massage you want to achieve. Relaxing or stimulating? Relieve muscle pain or support the immune system? The possible ways to combine oils are almost endless.

You can blend essential oils for massage therapy with any high-quality, unscented massage oil. Almond oil is a popular choice, but you can also use other carrier oils.

General directions: For small amounts of massage oil you will use immediately, blend the essential oils and carrier oil in any small glass container. If you make a large quantity of oil, use a tightly capped bottle, and shake well before each use.

You can double, triple, or more any of the following aromatherapy blends for massage.

Relaxing Massage Oil Blends

Uplifting Aromatherapy Massage Oil Blends

Immune-supporting massage blend:

• 1 drop orange
• 3 drops eucalyptus
• 3 drops thyme
• 3 drops tea tree
• 3 tablespoons carrier oil

For an invigorating massage:

• 1 drop pine
• 3 drops eucalyptus
• 3 drops basil
• 3 drops lemon
• 3 tablespoons carrier oil

or

• 5 drops rosemary
• 2 drops balsam fir
• 1 drop peppermint
• 2 tablespoons carrier

To uplift mood:

• 5 drops rose
• 4 drops geranium
• 4 drops patchouli
• 2 drops clove
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Aromatherapy Blends for Massage of Aches and Pains

Massage Oil Blends for Exercise

Before-Exercise Massage Oil

• 4 drops pine
• 3 drops rosemary
• 1 drop black pepper
• 4 teaspoons carrier oil

After-Exercise Massage Oil

• 4 drops cypress
• 2 drops lemon
• 2 drops rosemary
• 1 drop eucalyptus
• 4 teaspoons carrier oil

Also see essential oil blends for muscles.

Sources for Aromatherapy Massage Oil Blends

500 Formulas For Aromatherapy
Healing With Aromatherapy
Hot Stone Massage: The Essential Guide to Hot Stone and Aromatherapy Massage
Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home

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