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Massage Therapy Oils and their properties and uses

 
Type
Properties
Uses
Sweet Almond
  • color: very pale yellow
  • Ingredients:  glucosides, minerals, vitamins, proteins
  • penetrates skin and nourishes
  • anti-inflammatory
  • light

  •  
  • good for most skin types
  • especially for dry, itching skin
  • can be used 100% 

  •  
Apricot Kernel Oil
  • color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: vitamins, minerals
  • relieves stress
  • balancing
  • good for all skin types
  • especially for skin that is prematurely aged, dry, sensitive or inflamed
  • can be used 100%
Avocado
  • heavy green color
  • Ingredients:  Vit A, E
  • good for most skin types
  • heavy; use in 10% dilution with base oil
Borage Oil
  • color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: gamma linolenic acid, vitamins, minerals
  • regenerative
  • penetrating
  • stimulating
  • eczema, psoriasis
Castor Oil
  • color: light yellow
  • very thick, sticky
  • cleanses lymphatic system
  • draws out toxins
  • breaks up scar tissue
  • use on dry, cracked feet
  • use on scar tissue
  • use in poultice (wool flannel cloth)
Coconut Oil
  • color: light yellow
  • solid at room temperature; needs to be warmed.
  • thick, heavy

  • grounding
  • good for all skin types, especially dry, cracked skin
Emu Oil
  • color: light yellow
  • anti-inflammatory
  • assists in collagen formation
  • good for all skin types: may block pores is some; watch for reactions
  • used for arthritis, bursitis, sore muscles, bruising, eczema, keloids
Grapeseed Oil
  • color: none or very pale green
  • Ingredients: vitamins, minerals, proteins
  • highest in linoleic acid
  • non-allergenic
  • good for all skin types
  • can be used 100%
Jojoba Oil
  • color: dark  yellow
  • Ingredients: protein, minerals
  • From a bean of a desert shrub
  • helps prevent oxidization of essential oils
  • waxy-solid at cold temperatures
  • antibacterial
  • assists in breaking down sebum in plugged pores
  • highly penetrating
  • balances the brain and pituitary
  • Used to treat skin disorders, eczema, acne
  • keeps longer than most oils
  • good carrier oil
  • Use full strength or in dilution with other oils
Kukui Nut Oil
  • color: none
  • odorless
  • Ingredients: linoleic and linolenic acid
  • slightly warming effect
  • light, dries fast
  • antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
  • helps keep oil from going rancid
  • good for all skin types
  • usually an additive
Olive Oil
  • color: green
  • Ingredients: proteins, minerals, vitamins E, calcium ,copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, carotene
  • warming
  • relieves stiffness
  • heavy
  • good for all skin types
  • can be used 100%, but rather thick: diluted is best
  • Extra virgin and cold pressed  recommended.
Peanut Oil
  •  color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: protein, vitamin B and niacin, minerals
  • anti-inflammatory
  • thick
  • smells like peanuts
  • check to see if client is allergic to peanuts
  • good for all skin types
  • especially dry skin
  • use for bursitis, arthritis
  • make sure it's organic
Sesame Oil
  • Color: dark yellow
  • Ingredients: vitamin E,  lecithin, amino acids
  • antiseptic, anti-fungal
  • nourishing
  • prevents premature aging of skin
  • purifier
  • thought to be the most stable of oils in terms of spoilage.
  • May want to use odorless 
  • good for all skin types, except for red, rashy irritated skin
  • can be used on dry cracked skin
  • rheumatism, arthritis
  • destroys ringworm, scabies and most fungal skin diseases.
  • can be used 100% but diluted to 10% is best (can be too warming)
Safflower Oil
  • color: pale yellow
  • Ingredients: protein, minerals, vitamin E, linoleic acid
  • blood cleanser
  • quickly turns rancid
  • good for all skin types
  • can be used 100%
Wheat Germ Oil
  • color:pale yellow
  • Ingredients: Vitamin E, proteins, minerals, other vitamins
  • help prevents oxidization of essential oils
  • Check for wheat allergies
  • Use in 10% dilution with base oil
  • good for eczema, psoriasis, aging skin

Additional additives include:

  • Aloe Vera- soothing to skin irritations, burns

  • Evening Primrose- 10% dilution

  • Flax seed- assists with grounding client

  • Calendula- Anti-viral, soothing to irritations

  • Cayenne- for increasing circulation

  • Arnica- for muscle soreness, trauma, bruising

  • Hazel Nut oil- astringent, heavier;

  • Grape seed extract- anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal

 

 

 

 

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