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Lavender Aromatherapy using lavender essential oil

August 4th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Although many of the essential oils used in aromatherapy are not widely known, everyone knows lavender. It’s a familiar scent which has been called a “medicine chest in a bottle”, since it’s useful for cleaning wounds, dabbing onto burns, easing itches, and easing migraines and muscular pain.

Lavender is the safest, oldest, most well known healing plant. Throughout history it has been used as a medicine, cosmetic, herb and an aromatherapy oil.

Lavender is actually a memory of the mint family. It has been cultivated throughout the world for thousands of years. Lavender is very appealing to the senses, which is why it has been used in perfumes, balms, cosmetics and topical applications. Plus it also has anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties that are quite useful. Regardless of what type of lavender you use, it is also nice to know that it blends well with other essential and carrier oils.

What Lavender Aromatherapy Is Used For

Lavender aromatherapy is said to remove indecisiveness, the pain of emotional conflict and to also bring about a sense of rationality. Numerous studies have also shown that lavender aromatherapy also has a positive impact on the nervous system so it is good for treating excitability, panic, nervous tension, agitation and for promoting peaceful sleep.

Using Lavender Aromatherapy

The flower-petals from lavender yield nectar that is used in flavoring such things as honey, sugar and herbs. It can also be blended with black tea to create lavender tea. However, the most popular use is in lavender aromatherapy.

Lavender has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender aromatherapy can also be used to soothe head-aches, ward off insects and calm itchy incest bites. It has also been known to help people who have problems sleeping, relaxing or are generally restless and thus need something to help them calm down.

So, as you can see, lavender aromatherapy is able to balance, regulate and soothe both the body and the mind. Therefore a lot of people like to add it to their bathwater or sprinkle it on their pillows before going to sleep at night since it will help them to have a peaceful, relaxed night of sleep. Lavender itself is an analgesic, anti-microbial, antidepressant, antiseptic, anti toxic, etc. For this reason it can be used to treat hypertension, water-retention, convulsions and other spasmodic ailments.

If you surround yourself with lavender aromatherapy then it can bring about an unexpected sense of harmony in your life. There are many ways in which this can be done. You can use incense or candles placed around your home. There are also lavender sachets that you can purchase to place in your closets and drawers. Plus, as aforementioned you can put drops of lavender on your pillows before going to sleep. Of course, you can also place drops of lavender aromatherapy essential oil on light rings, aroma lamps, diffusers and potpourri.

Aromatherapy Massage: massage for yourself or for others

August 4th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

There’s nothing as relaxing as an aromatherapy massage. Giving yourself a gentle massage can relieve stress - it’s also a great pain reliever for conditions like arthritis and headaches.

Giving your partner or a friend a massage is a great gift.

Aromatherapy massage basics

Massaging essential oils into the skin gives tremendous therapeutic benefits. After a massage session, you’ll feel amazingly relaxed and rejuvenated. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your aromatherapy massage.

You’ll reap the maximum benefit if you have someone else give you a massage. You can massage some areas of your body yourself, such as your feet and your temples, but what you really need to focus on while getting a massage is relaxing. You’ll never be able to fully relax if you’re doing the work, no matter how minimal.

While you can enlist the help of just about anybody, you’ll be better off if your massage is performed by a professional.

The person you choose for your massage is just as important as the aromatherapy massage environment. It should be somewhat darkened and very quiet. The only noises you should hear are natural ones such as bubbling brooks, crashing waves, a gentle rain or other similarly soothing sounds. If you can’t listen to the real thing, don’t worry. Pre-recorded sounds work just fine.

You’ll be most comfortable and reap the most benefits if you’re lying on a firm but comfortable surface. You’ll also be more relaxed if you’re warm so be sure you’re partially covered with a soft, luxurious towel. If you’re okay not being covered, then have a towel nearby in case you care to use it later on. A relaxed state will cause the body’s metabolism rate to slow, which will cause the body temperature to lower.

Essential oils are best and are generally what’s used for massage. Essential oils are extracted from plant material and they’re most effective when they’re diluted with carrier oils or hydrosols. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils and they can be too strong for some skin when used alone. Plus essential oils can be expensive so economically it makes sense to mix them with carrier oils.

The essential oils you choose depend on the benefits you desire. Lavender is excellent for relaxing while peppermint is good for soothing sore muscles. Good carrier oils to use for massage include apricot kernel, sweet almond and grapeseed.   

As a general rule, you’ll need 1 to two ounces of carrier oil to massage the entire body. The only carrier oil that is not recommended for use in massage is mineral oil.

If you’re the one who are giving a massage pour a small amount of oil into your hands first to allow them to warm slightly. Rub into skin using a combination of long strokes, and large and small circular motions. Continually vary both the speed and the motion of the massage. When hand movements begin to ‘drag’ it’s time to use more oil.

Massage oil recipes for relaxation:

Lavender essential oil for relaxation: Mix 4 drops for every tablespoon of carrier oil
Petitgrain essential oil for relaxation: Mix 1 drop for every tablespoon of carrier oil
Frankincense essential oil for relaxation and meditation: Mix 1 drop for every tablespoon of carrier oil

Oil blend for relaxation massage

Make up a bottle of “relaxation oil”; you can use this at any time you feel stressed. Try a “mini massage” when you come home from work, for example: just massage a teaspoon of the relaxation blend across your chest and upper arms and legs.

Relaxation blend: to 50 mls of carrier oil (grapeseed, almond, or another vegetable oil) add 20 drops of oil.

You can use: lavender, petitgrain, patchouli, German Chamomile, marjoram, or clary sage. Just use whatever oils you have on hand. Marjoram and German Chamomile are sedative, so only use these of you’re feeling very stressed or anxious.

Massage - Aromatherapy and Massage

June 20th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other plant extracts as part of a therapeutic session.

As with much in the massage therapy world, aromatherapy has its adherents and its critics. While the claims of curing disease are overstated, aromatherapy does have some unquestionable benefits.

There’s no doubt that certain scents help provide a pleasurable atmosphere during massage. Since the basic goal of massage is to enhance the well-being of the recipient, this is a value.

As part of creating the ambiance for a relaxing, soothing massage, there are several options available for those who want to utilize aromas during a session.

Basil is a popular choice, owing to its sweet, mildly spicy odor. Though its use should be avoided when the client is pregnant (basil contains emmenagogues that can be harmful to those who are sensitive), it offers a delightful scent.

Bergamot is another that, in the form of an essential oil, makes for a pleasant aroma. Those who enjoy Earl Gray tea will be familiar with the scent, but as part of aromatherapy it is more concentrated. As it happens, it is also an effective, natural insect repellent and can be useful for helping to improve the massage area.

Citronella, another common oil used to ward off mosquitoes, has a use as a pleasant lemon grass odor that makes the session area a relaxing place to be. As such, it adds to the use of effleurage techniques that deliver a relaxing, stress-relieving massage session.

Lavender oil is often preferred by women clients who find the delicate scent the perfect adjunct to a slow, healthful sports massage. Working the long muscles while inhaling this flowery aroma can encourage a drowsy state that puts the client into an excellent frame of mind.

Male clients sometimes find the pungent scent of clove oil a welcome adjunct to a vigorous, deep tissue session. After a long workout at the gym, a good massage that loosens all those knotty muscles can be just what the therapist calls for.

Sandalwood is another commonly used scent in aromatherapy sessions. The odor is reminiscent of the beach or forest and, as with many scents, works by association. Incorporating pleasant mental images into the session often helps the client relax, making the massage a joy for both recipient and giver.

It’s important that the massage therapist who employs scents as part of the overall experience seek client input. Scents are very individual and the goal is to enhance the session, to put the client into a good frame of mind during and after. Not only is the specific aroma used important, but the concentration should be adjusted to personal taste.

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