Massage is generally performed with a lubricant such as oil, lotion or cream to facilitate the movements of the therapist's hands over your muscles. Herbs and herbal extracts valued for their therapeutic and fragrant qualities are often added to enhance the effect of the massage. All cultures have herbal traditions--often that is all they could rely on for treatment of injuries and diseases. Some of these traditional uses have been confirmed by medical research, but they are not approved by the FDA.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are produced by steam distillation of herbs, a process which extracts their water-soluble therapeutic and fragrant components. Individual essential oils or blends are added to oil, lotion or cream to produce a fragrant lubricant with the healing properties of the herbs. Rosemary, cedar and pine are traditionally used essential oils for muscle pain. Lavender is traditionally used for skin inflammation and to reduce anxiety. Floral essential oils are used primarily for their fragrances, such as rose, geranium, orange blossom and patchouli.
Herbal Poultices
Fragrant herbs are wrapped in a muslin ball and steamed to heat them and release their water-soluble components. Your therapist will apply massage oil to your skin and then use the steamy herb balls to lightly press and massage your muscles. Herb balls contain herbs such as ginger, acacia concinna and tamarind, traditionally used in Southeast Asia for bacterial skin conditions and allergies. Lemongrass and Kaffir lime leaves are used for their citrus fragrance, while arnica, camphor or menthol are traditionally used to relieve muscle pain.
Expert Insight
Articles in the Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing report that topical application of lavender, ginger or sage reduces anxiety. Traditional oils for stress reduction include rose and orange blossom. An article in Holistic Nursing Practice reports that myrrh has antibiotic and analgesic properties. Tea tree oil reduces skin inflammation due to allergies, according to an article in the British Journal of Dermatology. Authors of an article in Food and Chemical Toxicology report that herbs with rosmarinic acid, such as lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, sage, thyme and peppermint, have antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions on skin.
Make Your Own Herbal Massage Oils
To make your own herbal massage oil, put fresh or dried herbs in an 8 oz. glass jar and cover with cold-pressed olive or almond oil. Heat in the microwave using 15-second bursts until just warm and then allow to cool. Decant into a plastic bottle with a flip-top lid. Store in the refrigerator. Or, add 10 drops of essential oil to 8 oz. of almond or olive oil and stir or shake to combine. Store in a cool place.
Powder Massage
Finely ground herbs such as corn starch are used for a powder massage, when oil, lotion or cream are not appropriate. Garbanzo flour or rice flour are used in traditional Ayurvedic herbal massage for oily or sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal is also soothing for sensitive, inflamed skin. To make a scented product with therapeutic effect, essential oil is added to the herbal powder and the mixture is stirred or shaken to blend. The powder is applied liberally to the skin to provide the glide necessary for massage.
References
- "J Perianesth Nurs"; The use of the essential oil lavandin to reduce preoperative anxiety in surgical patients; Braden R, Reichow S, Halm MA; Dec 2009
- "J Perianesth Nurs"; Effectiveness of the essential oils lavender and ginger in promoting children's comfort in a perianesthesia setting; Nord D, Belew J; Oct 2009
- "Holist Nurs Pract"; The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students; McCaffrey R, Thomas DJ, Kinzelman AO; Mar-Apr 2009
- "J Eur Acad Dermatol Ven"; Use of topical herbal remedies and cosmetics; Corazza M et al; Nov 2009
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: "Natural" ingredients in cosmetic dermatology.
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