Which essential oils are best for massage?

Massages are undoubtedly the perfect complement to our daily skincare routine and overall health. They offer numerous benefits, ranging from stimulating blood circulation to alleviating inflammation and reducing persistent stress. If we add a touch of special essential oils to our massages, we gain many additional benefits. So what should you know about home massages using aromatic essential oils? How do they benefit our health, and which oils are worth choosing?

Massage oils – what’s worth knowing about them?

A massage performed with essential oils affects the whole body. The use of essential oil blends combined with a gentle massage provides excellent relaxation, helps eliminate accumulated toxins from the body, and improves venous circulation.

Furthermore, body massage oils also act as regulators of various bodily functions. Indeed, the combination of targeted massage techniques with the accompaniment of an essential oil can visibly reduce, or even eliminate, certain physical discomforts such as bloating, tingling, nausea, a feeling of heaviness in the legs and much more.

So, which essential oil is recommended for massage? As you can see, there is no single, correct answer, as the wide variety of oils available on the market each possess unique properties when applied to the skin. To make your search easier, we’d like to present a brief ranking of the most interesting massage oils, which will easily nourish the skin deeply, providing it with essential antioxidants and other equally valuable ingredients.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm essential oil is a true ally in therapeutic massages. The properties of lemon balm oil are attributed to the presence of active compounds found in the leaves and above-ground parts of the plant, which are responsible for its calming and health-promoting effects.

When applied to the skin, lemon balm essential oil has a beneficial effect on well-being, digestive problems, high blood pressure, as well as tachycardia and musculoskeletal pain, helping the body to recover through its antiseptic and toning effects. How can you make the most of lemon balm essential oil’s beneficial properties during a massage?

• Relaxing massage –simply dilute one drop of essential oil with nine drops of carrier oil, then gently massage along the spine and nerve plexuses;
• Health-promoting massage for joints and muscles –massage diluted lemon balm essential oil in a carrier oil into the affected area.

Clove

Clove is responsible for the characteristic scent that accompanies us during the festive season. Rich in eugenol, it is characterised not only by a pleasant aroma but also by scientifically proven analgesic, antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

Clove essential oil, when used in massage, warms the skin, tones it and leaves it feeling soft to the touch. It is also used to relieve many types of pain, such as inflammation, rheumatism, osteoarthritis and muscle aches. How should clove essential oil be applied to the skin?

• Pain-relieving massage –for muscle pain, migraines or digestive problems, simply dilute a single drop of essential oil in 5 drops of carrier oil, then apply and massage into the affected area;
• Relaxing massage –gently massage 2 to 5 drops of essential oil mixed with 10 drops of carrier oil into the back and spine.

Lavender

Lavender oil is known for its sensual, unique aroma, as well as a wide range of beneficial healing properties. These qualities are due to the main components of lavender – linalool and linalyl acetate – which have proven analgesic and antispasmodic effects.

The active ingredients in the oil also have regenerative properties and help speed up skin healing, which is extremely helpful for acne. The aroma of the oil itself, meanwhile, has a calming effect on the central nervous system, relaxing the body when it is under stress. How should lavender oil be used in massage?

• Skin problems –1 drop of essential oil diluted in 4 drops of carrier oil is suitable for all cases of sunburn and skin conditions. Massage the oil gently into the face, leaving it to dry completely;
• Scalp massage –spread 2 to 5 drops of essential oil evenly over the scalp and hair;
• Relaxing massage –massage 1 to 5 drops of essential oil, mixed with 10 drops of carrier oil, evenly into the body, temples and abdomen.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon was once a highly prized spice, a symbol of power, wealth and health. In aromatherapy and massage, cinnamon essential oil is also synonymous with life-giving energy. Its spicy and warm scent has powerful anti-infective and antibacterial properties; for this reason, it should be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to the skin.

The antiseptic and antioxidant properties of cinnamon essential oil have a wide range of applications on the skin. These range from treating acne and viral or fungal infections to helping achieve a soft, rosy complexion. How can you make the most of cinnamon essential oil in a body massage?

• Facial massage –1 drop of essential oil mixed with 10 drops of carrier oil should be massaged into the areas of the face affected by inflammation. After a few minutes, rinse the oil off with lukewarm water;
• Relaxing massage –the toning effect of cinnamon is best achieved by combining 2 to 5 drops of essential oil with any carrier oil. Gently massage the prepared mixture into sore areas of the body, the spine, the abdomen and around the joints.

Thyme

Thyme essential oil has an intense, herbal aroma. As well as its use in aromatherapy, this oil is a key addition to relaxing massages following intense physical exertion. When applied to the skin, it also provides direct immune support and antioxidant benefits, thereby reducing the activity of free radicals within skin cells.

The unique properties of thyme essential oil are due to the linalool it contains, which has antiseptic, antioxidant and antiviral effects. When used in massage, it improves blood circulation, reduces muscle tension and has analgesic properties, thereby helping to alleviate a wide range of skin problems. How should thyme oil be used in massage?

• Regenerating massage –1 to 2 drops of essential oil mixed with 5 drops of carrier oil provide the skin with regenerating ingredients. As a result, a facial and body massage with this oil improves the condition of skin affected by acne, minor burns and all types of dermatosis;
• Relaxing massage –you can apply a few pure drops of essential oil to the skin, massaging it into the spine, upper back, chest and joints.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil is an excellent addition to massage. Its refreshing and invigorating effect aids the recovery process in cases of muscle tension and excessive fatigue. The menthol aroma of eucalyptus oil also puts you in a state of readiness for action, relieves stress and combats mental fatigue.

In addition to the above, eucalyptus oil is one of the best remedies applied to the skin for treating respiratory tract infections, such as a runny nose and a persistent cough. As with other essential oils, eucalyptus should be diluted in a carrier oil. So how can you make the most of eucalyptus oil’s properties?

• Regenerative massage –eucalyptus oil supports anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving responses in the skin. Simply apply 2 to 3 drops of the oil mixed with 5 drops of carrier oil to the affected areas of the body to soothe any pain;
• Relaxing massage – used in a mixture of 2 drops diluted in 10 drops of carrier oil, it is suitable for a relaxing massage. Simply massage the prepared mixture directly into the skin all over the body to fully harness the oil’s calming potential.

Rosemary

The health benefits of rosemary essential oil have been confirmed by a series of clinical trials conducted by the world’s leading health institutions. When used in massage, rosemary oil helps alleviate digestive disorders and combats problems associated with poor blood circulation and rheumatism. When used to combat fatigue, it makes us feel more productive, both mentally and physically.

Rosemary essential oil is also a real energy boost, proving particularly effective in regenerative massages following intense physical exertion. It provides tired muscles with the energy they need to tackle the next challenges. What’s more, when applied to the skin, it gives it a healthy glow and helps improve the function of the blood vessels just beneath the skin, thereby enhancing the skin’s condition and overall health. So how should you use rosemary essential oil in a body massage?

• Regenerative massage –simply apply 2 to 5 drops of the oil diluted in 10 drops of carrier oil to painful areas of the body to revitalise the body, increase alertness and promote regeneration in the affected areas;
• Relaxing massage –gently massaging 5 drops of the oil mixed with 10 drops of carrier oil into the skin has stimulating properties that help combat fatigue, improving heart rate and blood pressure in the subcutaneous area. When massaged into the body, the oil also helps to promote a positive mental and physical state.

Body massage with essential oils – a treat for body and mind

The active compounds found in essential oils reach the brain via the sense of smell and are also absorbed through the pores in the skin, triggering specific health-promoting reactions. As a result, the application of essential oils can effectively promote our inner well-being and health on many levels.

A body massage with the addition of essential oils soothes both the skin and the mind. The oils provide extra hydration to the skin, supplying it with a wealth of substances that make it healthier from within and more beautiful, smoother and more radiant on the outside. To maximise the beneficial effects of massage, you should choose only 100% pure essential oils and use them mixed with a carrier oil, which will ensure the skin is properly protected.

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