Essential oils are often used in conjunction with massage therapy to maximize the healing power of each individual element. Essential oils are distilled liquids derived from plants that contain volatile aromatic compounds. The chemical components of the oils are inhaled or absorbed through the skin and affect the health and well being of the patient. Many ancient cultures, such as Egyptian, Chinese, and Native American, used plant-based aromatic compounds to impact health and mental states.
Warnings
Always ask patients if they have any known allergies to essential oils. If none are known, proceed on the side of caution and provide a brief exposure initially to observe for possible adverse reaction. Do a patch test on a small section of skin or place a small amount of oil on a cotton ball near the patient. If a reaction does occur, remove the oil immediately and follow procedures for allergic reaction.
Essential oils are concentrated and will often cause skin irritation or irritation of the nasal passages if experienced full strength. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil, or nonvolatile oil such as almond, canola or olive if applying to the body or use very sparingly when placing in a diffuser or steamer.
Formulations
Some essential oils are frequently used singly while others are often placed in blends with other essential oils of similar properties to maximize the impact during your massage. It is important to be aware of the proportions of each oil used, since altering the volume may cause one oil to completely overpower the other components. Often a blend is given a name, such as Serenity or Rejuvenation; however, these names are not standardized and may contain vastly different ingredients from different suppliers.
Selection
Linda Halcon, Ph. D., University of Minnesota, instructs that it is important to consider your purpose before choosing an essential oil for your massage. While there are a number of charts that indicate which oils are best for treating certain conditions, Halcon cautions that it is best to do research and talk with qualified and experienced individuals before making your selection. Certain essential oils are contraindicated for some health conditions. For example, common oils such as jasmine, clary sage and peppermint are contraindicated during pregnancy and a knowledgeable massage therapist would not use them.
Application
There are several ways to convey the essential oils to the body during massage. The most common is to place drops of the essential oil in a carrier oil and use this blend as a lubricant during the massage. A slightly stronger version of this blend is occasionally applied to the soles of the feet during the massage. Another method is to place the essential oils in a diffuser or in water in a steamer so that their aromatics will be inhaled by the patient during the massage. This is particularly common when the patient is experiencing respiratory problems.
Storage
Although essential oils are extremely volatile, they are also rather fragile and must be handled carefully to retain their beneficial properties. They should be stored in dark colored, glass bottles and kept in a cool, dark location. Use essential oils as quickly as possible and store them for no longer than 3 months for maximum potency. Always smell the oil prior to using for your massage to detect changes in odor or color which indicate rancidity. Discard oils that have developed a different or unpleasant scent by emulsifying them with a small amount of liquid detergent and washing them down the drain with hot water.
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