How to Use Aromatherapy With Bodywork

Aromatherapy is an alternative health practice that uses highly concentrated essential oils that are extracted from plants and used to stimulate the healing process and to treat symptoms of illness. The oils are then mixed and diluted in a carrier oil which helps to open the pores of the skin, while the massage improves the circulation of blood allowing for better absorption of the essential oil.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Divide the # of ml of carrier oil by 2 to determine the # of drops of essential oil needed for a 2.5% solution. (20 ml divided by 2 = 10 drops of oil)
• Divide the # of ml of carrier oil by 4 to determine the # of drops of essential oil needed to blend a light 1% solution. (20 ml divided by 4 = 5 drops of oil)
• sunflower oil
• soy oil
• sweet almond oil
• grapeseed oil
• apricot oil

Make an aromatherapy oil blend

1. Choose a carrier oil based on your skin type.
2. Measure and pour 20 ml of the carrier oil into a brown or blue glass bottle.
3. Choose an essential oil(s) based on the symptom and the effect you would like to achieve.
4. Determine the # of drops of essential oil needed for your oil blend.
5. Use an eyedropper to add the essential oil (8 to 10 drops) to the carrier oil.
6. Close the lid tightly and gently shake the bottle.
7. Label the bottle with the date, the name of the essential oil, the name of the carrier oil and the dilution.

Tips & Warnings

• Always dilute essential oils to a 1% or 2.5% solution.
• Mix essential oils in small amounts (20ml) of carrier oil to prevent waste due to the dramatic decrease in the shelf life of diluted oils.
• 20 ml of blended oil is adequate for a full body aromatherapy massage.
• Thicken your creams and lotions by adding a waxy plant extract called Jojoba.
• Add wheat germ oil to blended oils to prolong the shelf life and to prevent them from becoming rancid.
• Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin.
• Do not rub your eyes after using essential oils. (Rinse your eyes with cold water if you get any essential oil in your eye.)
• Use a 1% dilution for children, pregnant women and for anyone with sensitive skin.
• Consult your physician and an aromatherapist prior to using essential oils if you are pregnant.
• Check each essential oil for specific contraindications and precautions prior to using them, ie. oils that are stimulants should be avoided if you have a seizure disorder or high blood pressure.
• Keep essential oils away from heat and open flames.
• Keep essential oils away from children and pets.