Aromatherapy Massage is the use of essential oils to promote healing and a feeling of well-being and relaxation in the recipient.The essential oils are extracted from the parts of herbs and plants and contain all the properties of the plants themselves. There are several ways of applying the oils, including adding the oils to your bath or inhaling them, but the most popular and effective is through massage.
How the Oils are chosen and blended
In choosing the oils for an aromatherapy massage, the aromatherapist generally creates a synergistic blend of three oils which are then added to a carrier oil. A synergistic blend means that when a particular set of oils are combined together, they enhance each other’s properties, and make a pleasing scent. According to the International Federation of Aromatherapists: “A blend of Lavender and Ylang Ylang can be more effective in normalizing blood pressure than either of the oils used on their own.”
How the Massage is Performed
Once the oils are blended together the massage can begin. It can be a full body massage, taking in the back, chest, arms, legs, head, and stomach, or a simple back massage or even a facial beauty massage. An aromatherapy massage should be gentle, but firm. It usually begins with the back, buttocks, and legs before you turn over and the therapist massages the front.