Massage Oils
Massage oils have been used for body massage therapy since yesteryears; as early as 1000 B.C. Oils were earlier used either to anoint or rub to ease aches and pains. Today, there are numerous massage oils available which serve different uses. Choose your massage oil based on your skin type, personal preference and therapeutic benefits of the oil. It is important that you experiment with the various oils and select the oil that’s right for your needs.
The purpose of massage oil is to provide lubrication to facilitate the masseur’s hands to glide over the skin, nourish the skin and promote therapeutic healing based on the properties of the oil/ oils.
Base oils or vegetable oils are unscented basic oils that can be used either alone or a few drops of the aromatic essential oil can be added to promote health and healing. When you buy oils, look for cold-pressed or expellier-pressed, that is, minimally processed or made with minimal heat. This makes the oil last longer.
These massage oils should be stored in refrigerators or kept in cool temperatures below 65 degrees Farenheit. This avoids spoilage and preserves the oil when not in use. A rancid oil generates free radicals which damage the therapist and the recipient. Hence, add vitamin E (about 300 IU) per pint of oil each month to prevent the oil from becoming rancid.
Listing of Base Oils
Name of Base Oil (Botanical name)
Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus amygdalis var. dulcis)
Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus armenica)
Avocado Oil (Persea americana)
Borage Oil (Borago officinalis)
Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)
Coconut Oil (Cocus nucifera)
Corn Oil (Zea mays)
Emu Oil
Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothers biennis)
Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera)
Groundnut Oil or Peanut Oil (Arachis hypogaea)
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
Kukui Nut Oil
Olive Oil (Olea euroapea)
Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorius)
Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annus)
Sesame Oil (Sesamum indicum)
Soya Oil (Glycine soja)
Wheat Germ Oil (Triticum vulgare)
Listing of Essential Oils
Name of Essential Oil
Lavender Oil
Rosemary Oil
Basil Oil
Bergamot Oil
Cardamom Oil
Clary Sage Oil
Clove Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Fennel Oil
Frankincense Oil
Marjoram Oil
Melissa Oil
Myrrh Oil
Neroli Oil
Peppermint Oil
Petitgrain Oil
Patchouli Oil
Roman Chamomile Oil
Sandalwood Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Lemon Oil
Tangerine Oil
Juniper Oil
Geranium Oil
Ylang Ylang Oil
