Mixing Your Oil
Mixing your own oils is easy. Into a clean, sterilized jar, pour 1/8 of a cup of any of the following vegetable oils. This is your base oil: safflower, sunflower, coconut, apricot kernel, almond, hazelnut, grapeseed, and jojoba.
(Technical note : jojoba is a favourite choice, because it is really a liquid form of wax and won’t become rancid.)
Then simply use an eyedropper (they usually come in the essential oil bottles), add a few drops of essential oils at a time (5-7 is usually a good amount). For best results, don’t use synthetic oils.
Put the lid tightly on the jar and swirl the mixture in a clockwise motion and do not stir.
Label and keep for future use. Store your oils away from heat – away from light and away from moisture. It is best to blend fairly small amounts of oil and essences as vegetable oil oxidises and smells rancid after a while. A teaspoonful of wheatgerm oil acts as an antioxidant when mixed in a oil.
Massaging with Oils
Massage is the most common form of treatment used by aromatherapists because it is the most effective. The combination of touch and the therapeutic benefits of the oils improve circulation and releases trapped energy from tense muscles. The fragrance also promotes a feeling of well-being.
Studies show that the skin quickly absorbs the oils, on application. Heat also helps in the absorption, so warm hands and a warm room are necessary for an aromatherapy massage.
For massage, you should use the oils diluted or hot, depending on the disorder you are treating. For a relaxing massage, use a few drops of your chosen oil to facilitate the strokes. If you are treating a particular ailment, stick to the recommended dilution.
Oils are used to heat on small troublesome areas. Massage them gently with the fingertips, or if the skin is broken, dab them on carefully using cotton wool.
Aromatherapy Massage for the Face and Hands
Here are some easy massage techniques for you to start with.
Here is a simple facial massage that will affect you in different ways at different times of the day or night depending, on what oil combination you use.
Begin by making blends of the following essential oils :
• Orange.
• Lavender.
• Peppermint.
• Rose.
• Chamomile.
To Blend Your Choice of Essential Oils
Take some sweet almond oil and fill some 10ml bottles. Make sure the bottle is amber or blue glass to protect the contents from sunlight, with a dropper dispenser to allow accurate measurements. You can obtain these bottles from many pharmacies quite cheaply.
Use the 10ml of carrier oil (e.g. sweet almond oil) with 5 drops of essential oil or a blend of up to 5 drops of different essential oils. (Note: maximum 2 drops of peppermint essential oil).
Now that you have the oil, here is how you can do the massage :
Facial Massage
• First drop a small amount of your blended (massage) oil onto your index fingers, lubricate them well.
• Slide the fingers of both hands gently in opposite directions across your forehead, starting from the centre.
• Stroke the contours of your face from the centre outwards.
• Next, stroke below your eyes, along your cheeks, covering your nose and lips.
• Use “chopping” movements along the chin and jaw (be firm in this area). Chopping movements are the same type of movement you use when tapping the desk, but with the top part of the fingers flat.
• Under the jaw line use the back of your fingers for “flat tapping”.
• This massage will refresh and invigorate. You only need to spend about 30 seconds doing this facial massage. You can apply it at work, at home, in fact in most places (if you don’t mind people watching).
• Repeat every hour if you have time but even just a few times a day will benefit you. Be careful not to get the oils in your mouth, not only can this be risky, they don’t taste nice! And naturally, avoid getting the oil in your eyes.
Hand Massage
• Lubricate your fingers with a small amount of (massage) oil, as before.
• Start from your wrist, working towards your fingers.
• Follow the contours of each hand with stroking movements.
• Gently, slowly squeeze and stretch your fingers one at a time from the left little finger over to the right little finger.
• Always rub “up” the fingers from the knuckle to the nail.
• Use friction on each of your finger joints both back and front.
• Use your thumb to stroke your palm in a circular motion adding a little pressure.
• These massage techniques are great for people who spend a lot of time on a computer or in an office environment.
Which Essential Oils To Use, and When
Here are some of the oils and the moods/effects they can have…
Orange Essential Oil
• This essential oil is a mild smoothening agent. Its fragrance is uplifting, and it can calm the spirit-and set you at ease.
• Orange is a good essential oil to stop you being angry and/or “fed up”.
Lavender Essential Oil
• This oil is a nice calming and balancing essential oil.
• Lavender essential oil has wonderful soothing qualities that help to clear the head and promote mental focus.
Rose Essential Oil
• Rose essential oil is a warming, confidence giving oil.
• Its ‘garden fresh’ quality helps to promote a great state of mind and it can also be used to increase desire.
Peppermint Essential Oil
• This is a great essential oil to help you concentrate.
• It is inspiring, uplifting, warming and it helps to improve thinking.
Chamomile Essential Oil
• Soothing and calming, dissolves uneasiness, invites a restful night’s sleep.
• Chamomile essential oil is a pleasing oil to use in massage.
AROMATHERAPY MASSAGES THROUGH THE DAY
In the Morning
1. To wake up and get ready for the day ahead.
• Use a blend of orange and lavender essential oil to set the pace for the day, a quick facial massage will help.
2. To Start Work and Get Focused
• Peppermint and orange essential oils – a quick facial massage will give you the edge you need.
At Lunch Time
1. Time for a Re-fill of Energy
• A blend of peppermint and rose essential oils will help you enjoy your lunch and be ready to start back at work. So fit in a nice, quick facial massage and a hand massage.
• Slow down the pace by using rose and lavender essential oils. It is for a hand and facial massage again.
In the Evening
1. Time to Relax
• It is time for Rose and lavender essential oils, again.
• Take a little more time now. Repeat the facial twice and spend a nice luxurious five minutes on your hand massage.
At Bedtime
• For a good night’s sleep use chamomile and lavender essential oils
• Take plenty of time to cover each area of your face and hands.
• Close your eyes, put your head back and enjoy your own soothing touch.