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Massage Oils by Carl W. NelsonIn giving a massage, so that your hands can apply pressure and, at the same time, move smoothly over the surface of the skin, some kind of lubricating agent is required. Two kinds of oil – mineral and vegetable – can be used for massage. Although mineral oil is the lowest priced and vegetable oils vary greatly in price depending on the type, our preference is very much for the vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are comprised of essential fatty acids and contain the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E. Some vegetable oils also contain large amounts of linoleic and linolenic acids, providing added nutritional value to the skin. Among the numerous vegetable oils, safflower oil, which is as good as any, has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and being readily available at almost any grocery store. All vegetable oils can be mixed in any combination. Almond oil is favored by some, and avocado oil by others. Many folks like blends. Olive oil is too sticky by itself, but is desirable as an addition to a light-texture oil, such as safflower or sunflower, to make a blend. Almond and sesame oils are also light in texture. Once the container of vegetable oil has been opened, keep it in the refrigerator. If you have some way of tightly closing the container cap in a nitrogen atmosphere with sterile conditions, then the oil may be stored at room temperature. There are, of course, innumerable brands of massage oils available, usually at very high prices. They are no better than any described here. Vegetable oils not available at grocery stores and essential plant oils to provide scents (fragrances) are usually available at health food stores, natural cosmetics stores, and yoga/massage/aromatherapy supply stores. In addition, search ‘aromatherapy’ on the Internet to locate sources of vegetable carrier oils and essential plant oils. Compare prices of these products from the various sources. A 4-fluid-ounce (one-half cup) plastic squeeze bottle, preferably of Boston-round shape, with a screw-on push-top dispensary cap is an optimal container for the massage oil to be used by the practitioner when giving a massage – one at or near each end of the massage table. Two fluid ounces (60 mL) of massage oil are enough for three body massages. Scented massage oils are prepared by blending a small amount of an essential plant oil (or a mixture of two or more essential plant oils) with a much larger amount of the carrier vegetable oil (or a mixture of two or more vegetable oils). The ratio of the former to the latter may vary, but generally a one percent dilution is effective, i.e., the amount by volume of the former is one percent of the amount by volume of the latter. For example, two fluid ounces (60 mL) of the carrier would require 0.60 mL (corresponding to 12 drops from a medicine drop dispenser) of the fragrance. As with typical natural formulations the mixture will not contain a preservative, so it is best to mix small quantities as you need them. It will also help to store them in the refrigerator. Popular fragrances for massage oils include almond, chocolate, cinnamon, clove, frangipani, lavender, lemon, mint, musk, peach, rose, sandalwood, vanilla, and wintergreen. Several hundred fragrances are available. Detailed coverage of various types of massage in the context of aromatherapy is given in the recommended references. Instructions on choosing, preparing, and blending vegetable carrier oils and essential plant oils are provided. Specific recipes are described. The suggested books are as follows: Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism [Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK, and Boston, MA: Element Books, 1995 (hardback) and 1999 (paperback)]. Nitya Lacroix and Sharon Seager, The Book of Massage & Aromatherapy (London, UK, and New York, NY: Lorenz Books, Anness Publishing, 1994 and 2002). Nitya Lacroix with Sakina Bowhay, The Art of Sensual Aromatherapy: A Lover’s Guide to Using Aromatic Oils and Essences (London, UK: Carlton Books, 1995, and New York, NY: An Owl Book, Henry Holt & Co., 1995). Anne Kent Rush with photographs by Victoria Rauhofer, Massage for Total Well-Being: Massage and Meditation for the Seven Centers of Health (New York, NY: A Byron Preiss Book, Universe Publishing, Rizzoli International Publications, 2000). © 2003 Carl W. Nelson Permission to reproduce this essay or any part thereof can be obtained by contacting the author.
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