What Is Aroma Massage?

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said, "The best way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day." Hippocrates was not speaking specifically about the modern practice of aromatherapy massage but of the health benefits of essential oils that can stimulate the olfactory system, as well as the brain or limbic system. The essential oils used in concert with massage have different effects on the body and mind--some have an analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect, while others calm the mind or help allieviate stress.

History

Infused aromatic oils applied to the skin for healing or mood-enhancing purposes have origins in antiquity. The Greek physician Dioscorides described the benefits of these essential oils in his "De Materia Medica," a five-volume medical encyclopedia written in the first century. The invention of the distillation process in the 11th century yielded distilled versions of essential oils administered for medicinal purposes. A French surgeon named Jean Valnet championed the medicinal applications of essential oils, which he used as antiseptics when treating wounded military men during World War II.

Benefits

"The sense of smell is the only one of the five senses directly linked to the limbic lobe of the brain, and the limbic lobe controls the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance," says aromatherapy massage therapist Joann Danella, owner of Wisdom of Life Therapies in Corrales, New Mexico. "So aromatherapy massage is more than something that just smells good and feels good. It can have profound effects both physiologically and psychologically."

Techniques

Aromatherapists apply diluted essential oils directly to the skin during the massage, with the massage therapist using gentle movements and pressure. During aromatherapy massage, the bloodstream absorbs the medicinal or therapeutic properties of the essential oils via the skin. The therapist may also diffuse essential oils with a specially made cold-air diffuser, which spreads the oils into the air. Another method involves soaking a cotton ball with essential oils and placing it in a glass dish by the massage table for the client to inhale during the aromatherapy session. After the massage, the therapist sometimes recommends aromatic oils for dispersing in the bath or shower for relaxation purposes or to ease sore muscles.

Function

Danella says that essential oils such as lemon or grapefruit are generally uplifting and bring clarity, while lavender and eucalyptus are relaxing to body and mind. Chamomile and Helichrysum oils can be anti-inflammatory, ginger and other spice oils may increase circulation and can help allieviate stiffness in muscles, and rosemary is energizing and cleansing. Tea-tree oil is known for its disinfectant and antiseptic properties. Spearmint, wintergreen or peppermint oils are excellent decongestants, she said.

Warnings

Professional massage therapists dilute essential oils with a carrier oil--usually almond oil, olive oil, jojoba or grapeseed oil--and never apply them directly on the skin. Undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritations. Similarly, a professional massage therapist never works on infected or injured areas, applies pressure or massage strokes directly on bones or administers therapy to people with blood clots. Pregnant women should check with their doctor first to see if he advocates aromatherapy massage. If the doctor gives the go-ahead, massage therapy should only be done by a therapist certified in pregnancy massage.