Massage has been known and used by people since ancient times, and clinical studies confirm what Hippocrates said hundreds of years ago: \"the path to a healthy life is a bath and a daily aromatic massage\".

Massage therapy has beneficial effects on a variety of conditions such as prenatal depression, premature babies, full-term infants, autism, skin disorders, various skin conditions, a variety of pains including arthritis and fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions including asthma and multiple sclerosis, immune disorders including HIV and breast cancer, and ageing problems including Parkinson's and dementia. (1, 2)

The role of plant oils in massage

The basis of a massage oil are, of course, the vegetable oils (carrier oils, base oils). They are made up of 95-99% lipids, which in turn are made up of fatty acids and triglycerides. In the plants from which they are extracted, vegetable oils provide the energy and nourishment for the germination of seeds, nuts and kernels. When used topically, they provide beneficial components such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, waxes, tocopherols, squalenes, etc. For more information on each vegetable oil, I recommend you to access their monographs in the Essentials app.

Vegetable oils should be chosen with care, looking at both their therapeutic properties and their structure. A massage oil should allow the hands to glide easily over the skin without becoming sticky, form a thin film on the surface, but penetrate the skin by the end of the session. But like all products we use, choosing the perfect massage oil is subjective. That's why I invite you to test what suits you based on oil monographs. Start small and start with 1-2 vegetable oils. And, of course, make friends with infused oils! A whole aromatic world awaits you.

Almond (Amygdalus communis)

Rich in vitamin E, Almond oil is a stable, lubricating oil that creates a light occlusive protective film, reducing water loss from the skin. In addition, almond oil massage can prevent stretch marks and UV damage. (3, 4, 5)

It is suitable for all types of massage.

Apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca)

Nourishing, emollient and revitalizing, Apricot Kernel oil offers protection against free radicals. It is similar to almond oil but feels lighter on the skin. (6, 7)

Absorbs easily into the skin and is suitable for all types of massage. Its delicate texture makes it suitable as a facial massage oil.

Avocado (Persea gratissima)

Regenerating and anti-inflammatory, avocado oil protects the skin's barrier function and stimulates collagen production (8, 9, 10)

Because it is a denser oil, it is recommended to combine it with other lighter oils, but it is suitable for all types of massage.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Pampering and protective, Coconut oil prevents premature ageing of the skin, helps heal wounds and minimizes sun damage.

Coconut oil massage resulted in a significantly faster rate of weight gain compared to mineral oil and placebo in the premature infant group; and in the full-term infant group compared to placebo. Preterm infants who received coconut oil massage also showed a greater rate of length gain compared to the placebo group. (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)

An oil that penetrates easily into the skin, particularly suitable for muscle massage.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)

Technically, Jojoba is a liquid wax that looks and acts like an oil, but behaves like a wax (at low temperatures it solidifies). Emollient and regenerative, Jojoba is excellent for keeping water in the skin by forming a thin film that still allows the skin to breathe. (17, 18)

Because it closely resembles human sebum, it penetrates the skin quickly and is particularly suitable for aromatherapy massage.

Olive (Olea europaea)

One of the most stable vegetable oils, suitable for infusions, olive oil is a natural emollient and lubricant that prevents water evaporation from the skin and helps repair UV damage. (19, 20, 21, 22)

It is a dense oil that penetrates the skin more easily and is suitable for light massage.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and easily absorbed by the skin, Susan oil protects the skin from UV damage, balances sebum production and is great for infusions. (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)

It is an oil used mainly in Ayurveda and aromatherapy. It can leave the skin oily but is suitable for all types of massage.

Sunflower (Helianthus annus)

Emollient and soothing, Sunflower oil is suitable for all skin types and is often used in cosmetic lotions and massages of all kinds. (28, 29)

The ideal essential oil partner for any product applied topically (to the skin), plant oils improve hydration, elasticity, skin barrier function and reduce water loss. This is why, in aromatherapy, the preparations with the highest therapeutic value are blends of vegetable oils complementary to essential oils, which support and harmonize their therapeutic effects.

The role of essential oils in massage

The inclusion of essential oils in massage oil adds further emotional and physiological therapeutic benefits.

Pooled results from several clinical studies have shown that aromatherapy through inhalation and massage significantly decreased anxiety levels for various conditions. When dosed appropriately with essential oils, aromatherapy can be an effective, cost-effective and risk-free solution to reduce anxiety (30, 31)

Aromatherapy massage is a well-tolerated, feasible and safe nonpharmacologic method that can be easily integrated into clinical settings by health care professionals. The essential oils of Rosemary, Geranium, Lavender, Eucalyptus and Chamomile can be safely used by nurses in the clinical setting, where appropriate. However, nurses' training and experience in aromatherapy massage is essential for positive results (32)

Aromatherapy massage performed to elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis reduced pain and improved functional status and quality of life. Week 8 findings showed that aromatherapy had better and more sustained effects than massage. (33)

The use of aromatherapy demonstrated efficacy in decreasing biophysiological parameters of the surgical center medical staff. (34)

According to studies, aromatic massage with Lavender essential oil may be beneficial as a complementary and integrative therapy for the symptomatic management of various conditions, mainly psychological disorders and benign pain-related disorders, and possibly in palliative care of advanced incurable life-limiting illnesses. Some evidence interestingly points to significant additional benefits when aromatherapy massage is compared with massage alone, particularly in aiding the management of anxiety and benign musculoskeletal pain control. In general, aromatherapeutic massage with Lavender essential oil appears safe and well tolerated by patients, provided that all precautions are observed by therapists.(35) Some of these safety rules have been extensively discussed in the article **General precautions for topical use of essential oils\".

In another study, the relaxing effect of a blend of Lavender and Bergamot oils was demonstrated. This synergistic blend provides evidence for its use in medicine to treat depression or anxiety in humans. (36)

Aromatherapy massage with Lavender and Chamomile oil reduces anxiety and improves sleep quality in burns patients and is also easy to use, inexpensive and readily available. (37)

Preparing the oil for massage

Base preparation from vegetable oils:

• Decide the purpose of the massage (relaxing, aphrodisiac, for the skin, lymphatic,...).
• Choose your vegetable oils Start with an oil that has the most of the properties you need and continue with 2-3 others that support it. Take into account the personal preferences of the people who will use the oil for the massage (both the receiver and the massager), as well as other personal factors (age, gender, medical conditions, allergies, inflammations,...). You can find the properties and safety rules in their monographs in the Essentials app.
• **Taste a few drops of each oil on your skin. **
• See how it feels: how quickly it sinks into the skin, whether or not it forms a film, whether or not it has its own flavor.
• Make the desired blend by combining an appropriate amount of each oil.
• Also consider adding an antioxidant such as Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract (not the essential oil) or any other antioxidant you prefer to extend the shelf life of the vegetable oil blend. In addition, these antioxidants can provide added benefits when applied topically.

I recommend you start with a small amount, about 50-100ml of vegetable oils, so that you can easily adjust the formula and reduce wastage.

Preparing the flavored blend:

• Decide the purpose of the massage (relaxing, aphrodisiac, skin, lymphatic,...).
• Choose the right essential oils: Start with an oil that has most of the properties you need and continue with 2-3 others that support it. Keep in mind the properties and safety rules you can find in the essential oil monographs in the Essentials app.
• Prepare the right amount of the flavored blend at least one night in advance to allow the essential oils to synergize. Use a glass container* for this purpose.
• Label the blend noting the date and composition. This detail is very important to know the validity of the massage oil and the possibility of making an identical one later.

When you have the desired blends of both types of oils, you can combine them by gently mixing them in a glass container.

*To reduce wastage, you can use the container in which you will store the massage oil to make the essential oil blend. But if you choose this option, prepare the blend of vegetable oils in a separate container. This allows you to adjust the massage base without being influenced by the essential oils.

I recommend using products that are organic, as minimally processed as possible, and from known sources to get the most benefit.

Also, choose a beautiful bottle that brings you joy when you look at it. You will realize a precious oil, and that will make it shine.

Don't forget optimal storage conditions to prolong the life of the mixture.

If you opt for a clear bottle, make sure it is protected from light. When oils have a particular color, I like to see it, and over time, the clear bottle also allows me to visually inspect the oils.

The blends that follow are designed for a minimum of 100ml vegetable oil and are suitable for adults only.

Relax

• 13 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus x sinensis)
• 12 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 5 drops Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
• 2 drops Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Velvety skin

• 9 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
• 11 drops Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii)
• 3 drops Rose (Rosa damascena)
• 5 drops Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• 5 drops Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Libido

• 10 drops Neroli (Citrus x aurantium)
• 10 drops Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
• 4 drops Rose (Rosa damascena)
• 7 drops Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Tired muscles

• 6 drops Marjoram (Origanum majorama)
• 10 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 6 drops Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
• 11 drops Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Lymphatic drainage

• 13 drops Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi)
• 8 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
• 4 drops Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• 7 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

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