In 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.
