Massage provides multiple benefits, including muscle relaxation and tension relief, but trying to choose a basic massage oil often makes newcomers to the world of massage feel as if they're in an endless quest for the Holy Grail itself. If you find yourself scratching your head about what massage oil to use, consider the multiple benefits of almond oil. Always use sweet almond oil for massage, not the oil derived from its toxic counterpart, the bitter almond.
Inexpensive
If you've been experiencing sticker shock when you see the price that accompanies most specialty massage oils, the relatively low price tag accompanying almond oil should be a welcome relief. Often costing as little as $10 and $12 for 16 ounces, almond oil is affordable enough to be within most beauty budgets. Use it alone for an inexpensive massage session; as a general rule of thumb, approximately 4 ounces of the oil provides enough for a full body massage. Better yet, create your own custom massage oil blends by combining small amounts of the more expensive oils---such as jojoba, rose hip and wheat germ oil---with an almond oil base; this allows you to experiment with the more pricey oils without breaking the bank.
Aromatherapy
Equipped with a mild, pleasant scent, almond oil provides a prime carrier oil for an aromatic massage, because its thin texture allows your body to absorb more essential oil, notes Susan Worwood, coauthor of "Essential Aromatherapy." Essential oils commonly coupled with almond oil include lavender, chamomile, jasmine and rose. As a general rule of thumb, use approximately six to eight drops of essential oil per ounce of almond oil. In order to maximize its benefits as a carrier oil, Worwood suggests that you stick with organic, cold-pressed almond oil.
Mild
According to Allison England, author of the book "Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby," almond oil is mild enough for use on children and older babies. Although you can always use almond oil alone, many parents opt to blend it with gentle essential oils before massaging it into their children's skin. Mild essential oils England recommends for children and babies include chamomile and neroli. As a general rule of thumb, use no more than two drops of essential oil per 5 tbsp. of almond oil.
Skin Healing
According to Shirley Price, coauthor of "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals," almond oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties. As an emollient, it also absorbs easily into your skin, refreshing and hydrating the tissue without clogging pores. These features combine to make almond oil an effective massage oil to use for the relief of dry skin, itching, soreness and inflammation, especially when they arise from skin conditions such as proriasis, dermatitis and eczema, notes Price.
References
- "Essential Aromatherapy"; Susan Worwood & Valerie Worwood; 2003
- "Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby"; Allison England; 2000
- "Aromatherapy for Health Professionals"; Shirley Price & Len Price; 2007
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