Massage Oils

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everybody suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, feelings and minds.

Feeling strung out, worn out by fatigue or just simply having an unhappy day, the neatest thing to do is relax, but what is the easiest way to relax?

Watching television might be a sort of relaxation for some, but isn’t a recommended method by experts. When we watch television we are bombarded with commercials, adverts, sounds and photographs. So how can we achieve relaxation?

If there are thousands of ways we are able to get stressed, one of them is not meeting cut off dates, there are some ways we can relax.

In recent studies, professionals have determined that heart Problems is interlinked with fury and evil temper and linked to mental stress. Too much stress brings about high blood pressure that can end up in or cause a cardiac arrest. Relaxation takes on added importance given this matter.

Handling your rage and point of view is important to heart health, and relaxation will help you manage stress.

One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation.

Fresh studies have also shown this system might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for coronary and stroke. People practice transcendental meditation by repeating letting out relaxing sounds while meditating, this is to reach total relaxation.

The researchers discovered that followers of transcendental meditation significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared to people who did not practice transcendental meditation.

Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, appears to reduce high blood pressure by initiating many body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, ease agony, and reduce hysteria.

One superb way of relaxation is getting a beauty massage with natural aromatherapy essential oils at your local beauty salon.

To gain full relaxation, you must totally surrender to the handling and touch of a professional specialist.

There are a few sorts of massages that also give various levels of relaxation..allowing the warm oils to penetrate your skin delivering total relaxation, while you are there your trained expert will debate with you different types of beauty treatment and body care to compliment your beauty regimen.

The popularity of receiving massage treatments has been growing substantially in the last 10 years. Many people recognize that receiving natural therapies such as massage is very beneficial to the body. However, many people have never received a massage simply because they either do not make the time to see a masseuse or they feel that pain for a one-hour massage plus gratuity is very expensive. As always, technology now offers other possibilities to receive the benefit of receiving frequent massage therapy.

Massage chairs have advanced rapidly over the years. They now contain a number of different types of technologies which come together to provide very effective massage treatments. Whether you would like a full body massage or prefer to target a specific area, massage chairs are a practical alternative to receiving frequent massage therapy.

Many people are conscious of their bodies and our timid to get a massage in nothing but a towel. They also may not feel comfortable going to see a masseuse for whatever reasons. It massage chair provides a convenient method to receive the positive benefits of massage treatment with out the embarrassment.

You can receive a number of positive health benefits from having a massage chair. Massage chairs make it viable to receive massage treatments on a frequent basis. Just like diet and exercise, massage treatments must be done on a regular or routine interval to be effective.

Many of us are feeling much more stress today than perhaps ever before. The changing situation in the world is causing the stress levels of everyone to rise. It seems that we are working harder to stay where we are at.

It is important to be aware of the impact of stress on the body. Stress first affects the mind. The mind tries to resolve the problem is faced with. If the problem is not resolved quickly, then it will linger which causes the body to be under tension. Prolonged tension causes stiffness which results in pain and discomfort.

It is best to counteract the effects of stress on the body as it begins. The longer the stress impacts the body, the more harm it does. Relieving the tension through relaxation and relieving the body of aches and pains is a great way to counteract the effects of stress on the body.

Oftentimes we are so busy in our hectic schedules that we don’t take enough time for our health and well-being. A massage chair is a constant reminder that we need to take a time out for ourselves. Just a few minutes a day can have an enormous effect on your outlook and health.

Relaxation is a critical part of leading a healthy lifestyle. If we are always on the go and never relax then our body doesn’t have sufficient time to heal. Relaxation helps to distract the mind to calm and quiet it. This gives the body time to heal rather than be under stress.

Receiving frequent massage chair therapy is a great way to get the benefits of massage. Massage helps the mind to relax while relieving the soreness in the body. The body is stimulated and invigorated with the movements of different massage techniques. This helps to relax the muscles, improve circulation and to increase awareness and concentration.

Massage chairs offer a way to relieve minor aches and pains in the body. They are especially effective in relieving stiffness due to stress or physical exertion. Many common ailments can be relieved with the stimulating and invigoration that the various massage programs in a massage chair contain.

Massage chairs provide you with a great way to counteract the effects of stress. They are an excellent vehicle to provide relaxation. Massage chairs provide a constant reminder to you to take a few minutes for yourself and to relax. Think how a massage chair can help you counteract the effects of stress building up in your daily life.

One the oldest known forms of massage therapy is shiatsu massage. This specific technique was developed and refined in Japan. The roots of shiatsu massage are linked back to China over 2000 years ago. Shiatsu borrows the use of acupoints from Chinese medicine. The Japanese added the concept of energy flow through the meridian lines. Practitioners of this massage technique seek to alleviate blockages of energy flow to restore balance and harmony.

There are some similarities between shiatsu and acupressure. The difference mainly lies in the placement of the massage. Acupressure is mainly performed over the act you point. In the case of shiatsu, the massage will extend over a greater range and extend beyond just the acupoints.

Shiatsu also involves the stretching and manipulating of different muscles and soft tissue areas. The typical movements in shiatsu massage are using increasing pressure in a rhythmic pattern. Holding pressure is also used with the hands and a gradual pressure release.

When the body comes under pressure, it can start a chain of events which leads to muscle stiffness and tension. In ancient Oriental medicine, there is strong believes in a life force which circulates through the body. Many of peace natural treatments are used to restore the balance of this energy in the body.

Shiatsu massage therapy soothes and relieves the muscles. The practice of shiatsu massage teaches that energy flows throughout the body. It is thought that this energy can become blocked in the body. When this occurs, the body is out of balance. Targeting these areas of blocked energy is central to shiatsu massage.

Shiatsu massage uses a simple multi-technique. The hands are used to wrap around a given area and gently squeeze. This technique provides three things for the user including the sensation of squeezing pressure, tactile feel and warmth. These three critical elements are thought to help revitalize the spirit.

Shiatsu has modernized with the times. Traditional shiatsu is very specific in its application. Many modern practitioners also include other types of movements such as vibration, grasping, and shaking. These have been integrated with many of the traditional practices.

There are many massage techniques which are being discover in many remote villages. More and more these massage techniques are being brought to light. Shiatsu massage is commonly practiced throughout the world. We shall see how other massage techniques continue to be integrated with others.

One of the more popular massage therapies in a world in is shiatsu. International spas offer shiatsu treatments as part of their standard fare. Almost every massage therapy school plans courses in shiatsu massage treatments.

Technology is also having an impact on shiatsu massage therapy. Massage chairs are being programmed to perform different aspects of shiatsu massage. These shiatsu massage chairs can perform many of the same elements of shiatsu. The mechanical replication of hand movements is quite extraordinary.

Although shiatsu relieving, it is also very invigorating. Use of rapid tapping to soothe and loosen the muscle muscles is effective. The targeting of acupoints to help unblock energy seems to effectively restore the balance back to the body. The holistic approach use with shiatsu massage is central to its effectiveness to relieve tension and stress.

It is quite extraordinary that the early practitioners of shiatsu quickly discovered the complex relationships in the body. Their ability to target acupoints to relieve stress and tension is quite amazing. There is much to be understood by Western medicine from many of these long-standing traditional treatments.

A massage is a well-known therapeutic activity that helps to relieve the body of all forms of stress: physical, mental, and emotional. It is practiced in a ceremonial fashion in some Oriental cultures. It is a prescribed form of therapy in a few alternative medical systems. For those of you who have not experienced the beneficial effects of a full body massage, this article should encourage you to get an appointment for one at the earliest.

We are used to getting and giving a simple massage at home. You come home all stressed out and irritable. Then your spouse leads you to your favorite chair, and then begins to loosen the muscles at the back of your neck with a gentle massage. The smile comes back, and you feel your stress ebbing away! That is exactly what a number of alternative therapies have discovered ages ago, and our mainstream medical science is discovering now. A home massage is wonderful, but a professional massage is a great deal better.

First, find yourself a reputed massage salon to gain the full benefit of a body massage. Each person receiving a massage is assigned a separate cabin. You will have to divest yourself of your garments preparatory to the massage. Lie prone on the massage table. A sheet or towel will be draped over you to keep the body heat in. Choose your massage from those on offer. Generally there are two basic full body massages: general body massage, and deep tissue massage. Of course there are many variations available besides.

The first thing that happens when the massaging starts, is that the blood circulation gets enhanced. ‘Enlivened’ is the proper word for what happens to the blood circulation. The blood being the life force of the body, its increased circulation means the whole body gets livened up. When we exert ourselves physically, the muscles get tired due to the accumulation of certain catabolic wastes. The enhanced circulation washes away these wastes and voila! the muscles are not tired anymore! The blood contains elements which are vital for health or healing in other words. So damaged muscles, ligaments, and tissues get healed faster due to the enhanced blood circulation. That’s why you feel fresh and whole during and after a massage.

In fact, a massage is a simple and natural technique to enhance the blood circulation. We all know that blood is the vital force of our body. So enhanced blood flow translates to enhanced vitality and health. There’s a form of obesity which is due to our lifestyle and habits – general inactivity, improper posture, and incorrect body movements. For example, some people slouch around instead of walking erect and energetically. Massage is a quick fix for such cases, and helps a person to shed unhealthy flab. Your skin benefits from the massage too, turning smoother, tauter, and healthier, and you can feel yourself glowing.

Most of us see only the physical aspect of a massage. What most people don’t know is that a massage improves our mental health as well. The enhanced blood circulation clears out tension-causing artifacts and toxins from the brain. A properly administered massage makes you feel rested, and helps you get a good, satisfying sleep.

Professional massage therapy goes beyond enhancing the blood circulation. Professional massage therapy is based on touch therapy, which states that a touch is a psychological bridge between two sentient entities. So, if a colleague is feeling down, a hug will lift his spirits. We’ve seen that happen often enough to know that it is true. A professional massage therapist knows this, and uses it to generate psychological well-being in the subject. So, now you know where to go when you’re aching and paining!

Maybe you consider a full body massage a fad, with cosmetic benefits solely. That is not the whole fact. Massage therapy is definitely a therapeutic activity. Allopathy includes it in physiotherapy. Many Oriental medical systems are based solely on massage therapy, as for example, acupressure and acupuncture. So you need have no reservations about its efficacy and scientific validity. Just be sure to go to a licensed professional massage therapist. You’ll feel recharged and healthy, physically, mentally, and psychologically.

The biggest thing that those who train to be massage therapists face when they are close to completing their training is if they will actually be able to find a good massage therapy job after graduating.

There numerous types of massage therapy jobs available, from working in a massage studio, to working in a day spa or salon or working in a medical setting such as in a hospital, doctor’s, physical therapy or chiropractor’s office. It also depends on where you live as you mind find jobs in hotels, at resorts or on cruise liners which you can apply for.

The best way of finding out what kinds of jobs are available in the area where you live is to talk to other massage therapists. But do not just limit yourself to those who are connected to the school that you attend, but other massage therapists who run businesses in your area as well. If you can talk to several different ones located in the town where you live along with those who work in different massage therapy jobs.

As you look for a massage therapists job you may discover that you have to factor in travelling as you may find that there is a higher demand for people who have trained as massage therapists in one part of the town compared to another. Also you may find it much easier to get a position working in a health spa as a massage therapist than you would say working for a doctor or hospital.

Also remember that every one of those massage therapists that you talk to will have started out just like you. In most cases you will find that many of them will be willing to take time out in order to answer some or all of your questions for you. You may even find some who can provide you with specific advice or provide you with a lead for a job that you can apply for.

If you know where it is that you want to work as a massage therapist then make some calls to that place. As well as talking to the person in charge of hiring staff also if you can speak to some of the therapists who already work there. Find out from them where their training took place and what they like and dislike about the job they are currently doing. Although from the clients point of view the job may seem perfect for the person doing it this may not be the case.

Most massage therapy schools will have programs in place to help their graduates find a massage therapy job after they graduate. Schools that have built a good reputation in the community often have companies asking them for graduates to hire right out of school. If you haven’t already chosen a school to attend for your training, be sure to take each school’s job assistance programs into consideration before you choose a school.

As long as you keep the above in mind then finding your ideal massage therapy job should be much easier than you would have imagined. Just remember to take your time and weigh up the pros and cons for each one carefully.

A body massage has a revitalizing effect on the body. It relaxes you, it invigorates you, it refreshes you. Read on to find out how a massage can do wonders for you in more ways than you thought possible.

When you have a headache you tend to rub your forehead in a massage-like fashion. Why? Because that relieves you of the ache. Spent many hours staring at facts and figures on the monitor? You massage the lower back of your neck to get relief. This is the basic principle of a massage – to create an ebb and flow of pressure in the target area. Qualified professional masseurs know exactly how to and where to massage an area of the body to generate the desired therapeutic effect. They also know the ‘why?’ of what they do. Let’s go see what a professional massage therapist does for you.

Let’s get a walkthrough of a professional massage. Once in the salon of a professional massage therapist, you’ll be shown to a private cubicle. There you’ll have to remove your clothes and lie down on a massage table with a sheet draped over you. You may have a general massage done, for relaxation and general body tone. Or, you may require more intense massage therapy, like deep tissue massage, which is, well, intense!

The masseur may use Massage Oils to perform the massage, but this depends on the variation of the massage you select. As the massage progresses you will find tremendous relief of stresses and tensions and aches and pains that you were not even aware of till they disappear! You’ll be amazed at how you feel – rejuvenated, restored, relaxed, and relieved! Your muscles lose their soreness, that dull ache in your head vanishes, you feel happier and at ease with the world! You begin to smile just like that, it feels so wonderful!

It is not only sportspersons who require massage therapy. We all do! Our life has become so hectic; our lifestyle has become so sedentary or lacking in physical activity that our body suffers for it. We sit in awkward positions, we slouch, we shamble around… all this unconsciously. The result is that our blood vessels get shifted from their normal positions and so also do the nerves. Knotted blood vessels means poor blood circulation, which means poor health. Knotted nerves means your very sensations are disturbed. The brain gets a lot of static from cramped up nerves. Result: tension and stress, which makes you lose concentration, comprehension, and conviction. The body massage, as administered by a qualified professional massage therapist, mind you, works the body in such a way that your blood vessels and nerves regain their normal position. Your blood begins to flow normally and your nerves function normally. The physical pressure of the massage even serves to reduce flab, if any. Your skin benefits as well. The massage itself, and the Massage Oils, rejuvenate the skin. The subcutaneous blood circulation improves and the muscles that lie just below the dermal layer get exercised. This results in a firmer, tauter, radiant skin tone. So you end up looking better.

We generally believe that a massage is a form of physical therapy, and hence benefits us in a physical way only. This is not true. We are benefited mentally as well as physically. Just as the muscles get tired due to the accumulation of wastes, our brain undergoes much the same effect when we exert ourselves mentally. The enhanced blood circulation washes away the accumulated toxins from the brain, and leaves it fresh and tension-free! That’s why you can get a really good, healthy sleep after a body massage.

Massage therapy is a form of touch therapy. A touch or a caress shows empathy. It is probably instinctive in those animals that must seek their mother for support and feeding as soon as they are born. Most animals are born blind, and so they depend on touch to find and detect their mother. Even if not blind, young ones nestle and cuddle up against their mother when they sleep, the touch, the feel being sufficient to reassure them of a support system. Our subconscious translates the masseur’s professional touch to a strong, positive symbol of reassurance and of support. Hence, our spirits are lifted and we emerge from the massage psychologically healthy.

Now that we’ve analyzed the effects of a body massage, why don’t you get yourself an appointment with a good, reputed, licensed, professional massage therapist, and help yourself to a veritable bouquet of benefits, physical, mental, and emotional!

History records the prevalence of the full body massage as a regular feature of ancient civilizations – Hellenic, Egyptian, Roman, and Asian. Even then, centuries ago, a massage could not be administered by just anyone. Social historians say that the masseur or masseuse had a status somewhere between a physician and a priest in ancient Egypt. This esteem was well deserved, because the massage requires specialized training to be performed properly and correctly.

Massage is a form of psychosomatic treatment. By ‘psychosomatic treatment’ I mean that which affects the body and the mind in consort. A trained masseuse will use her knowledge of physiology to soothe the nerves. This calms the recipient’s mind. The masseuse will also manipulate the muscles and tissues to relieve physical tension. So you benefit bodily and mentally in many wonderful ways. An untrained practitioner focuses only on the physical aspect, the body. Therefore such a massage is only half done, and leaves you vaguely unsatisfied.

Massage is based on a specific psychosomatic treatment that is popularly called ‘touch therapy’. We all know the effect and value of a hearty hug, an emotional embrace, a tender touch, and a kindly kiss. Few know that these ‘touches’ actually help the body to heal itself in an inexplicable but wonderful way. The massage stimulates the blood circulation which is a prime treatment in itself, because a better blood flow improves excretion of toxic substances from the body, improves the supply of oxygen to the muscles and organs, improves the supply of disease-fighting antibodies to sites under virulent attack. Even the skin benefits from a massage. It becomes tauter, even radiant, so much so that people not only look younger they actually feel younger! So who needs Ponce de Leon when you have a good masseuse!

There are many people who go out of their way to stay at a particular hotel or health resort only to avail of the massage services they offer. So it’s time that you shed your apprehensions about massage parlors and take the plunge! You won’t regret it, ever!

A well reputed massage parlor will charge you anything from $50 to $100 for a an hour long session. You’ll be led into a private cabin where you’ll be asked to remove your clothes and then lie prone on the massage table. An assistant will cover you with a sheet, not just for the sake of modesty, but actually as a requirement of the massage therapy, since body warmth must be maintained. Only one part will be uncovered at a time, the one which is being massaged. Using special aromatic oils the masseuse will begin the massage, using a variety of manipulative movements of her hands, the main being strokes or gentle kneading or circular movements.

The masseuse will begin at the feet and then continue up to the hips. You’ll feel the massage magic begin to work. Indescribably pleasant, the massage will release the negative tensions from the soles of your feet, your calves, your thighs, and then your hips. You’ll feel a warmth coursing through your veins, sorry, arteries! A warmth which heals away all those ailments, those cricks in the joints, those sore spots in the hams.

From the hips her hands will move over the back, the arms and shoulders, the neck, and finally the head.

Massaging generates a little heat inside the body which heals the body from the inside. Thus therapeutic heat is generated right at the spot where it is needed. This process of internal healing is wonderfully restorative. There is just one thing you must be careful about: don’t visit any of these shady massage parlors. Ask around before selecting one to give your custom to. Insist on being massaged by a professional masseuse who has undergone a rigorous training and passed a state-approved examination before being licensed to practice in public. This is to make sure that you are not harmed in any way. So, see you at the massage parlor!

A full body massage is an experience that is truly relaxing. It relieves you of all your physical and even mental tensions. The one caveat is to get yourself massaged by a licensed professional massage therapist.

The benefits of a full body massage are many.

Massage is based on a specific psychosomatic treatment that is popularly called ‘touch therapy’. We all know the effect and value of a hearty hug, an emotional embrace, a tender touch, and a kindly kiss. Few know that these ‘touches’ actually help the body to heal itself in an inexplicable but wonderful way. The massage stimulates the blood circulation which is a prime treatment in itself, because a better blood flow improves excretion of toxic substances from the body, improves the supply of oxygen to the muscles and organs, improves the supply of disease-fighting antibodies to sites under virulent attack. Even the skin benefits from a massage. It becomes tauter, even radiant, so much so that people not only look younger they actually feel younger! So who needs Ponce de Leon when you have a good masseuse!

Never had one before? Try it for a wonderful experience!

I’ll walk you through your first massage. The first step is to select a well-reputed massage parlor. You go to the receptionist, register yourself, and set up an appointment. The usual charge is $50 to $100 for an hour-long session. You step into a private cabin, step out of your clothes, and lie face down on the massage table. You’ll be covered with a sheet, just to keep the warmth in. The masseuse will begin massaging you, using a massage oil to help her hands move smoothly over you. There are special strokes used in a massage like strokes, circular motions, pressing actions, and a gentle kneading action.

Starting at the feet, she will work her way up, up the legs, to your hips, using her skilled hands to manipulate and relax the muscles, one by one. The blood vessels will also be relieved of various internal tensions, thereby improving the circulation of blood. The masseuse may use any one of a number of massage methods, varying in pressure and stroke, to get your circulation up to speed. Sometimes the massage therapist may use her own experience and her analysis of your particular condition to select this method; optionally, you may be asked to select the method you prefer.

The masseuse’s magical hands continue their journey upwards over your back ending at your head. At every inch, you will experience such indescribable relaxation, that it is best left for you to experience firsthand!

Massaging heals the body from within. This natural healing process is entirely restorative. Just make sure you patronize a reputed massage parlor, and get massaged by a trained and licensed professional therapist. Getting a massage by an untrained masseuse may actually aggravate your aches and pains instead of alleviating them. Now you’ll have to excuse me! I have a massage waiting for me!

There’s a little known secret in natural therapeutics — the profound healing pain relief of Helichrysum italicum essential oil. Its action is nothing short of amazing, though this information is rarely offered directly by aromatherapy companies due to advertising restrictions. Throughout the medical aromatherapy texts however, this fantastic oil is lauded for its broad range of healing effects on the body’s tissues. Here’s a quick primer on using this oil for yourself and your loved ones.

The pure essential oil steam distilled from the flowers of the Helicrhysum italicum plant is an absolutely remarkable healing agent. Not just compared to natural medicines, but compared to ALL pain relieving medicines available today. It is safe, effective, and easy-to-use. The oil is listed in ‘Essential Oil Safety’ as non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. It is regularly prescribed for undiluted application to the skin (where very few other essential oils are). Most conservatively, the oil is sometimes said to be avoided during pregnancy, and by young children — but this warning is not found in today’s most advanced aromatherapy texts. If your situation is questionable, check with a health professional before use, but know that Helichrysum essential oil is considered to be exceptionally safe.

It’s the efficacy — the ability to reduce pain and heal that is most remarkable about Helichrysum. Nearly every form of pain seems to respond positively to Helichrysum essential oil application. Joint pain, back pain, muscular and connective tissue pain, nerve pain, and pain resulting from injury, surgery and trauma can all be helped. The most common usage of the essential oil is a dilution in Jojoba oil, massaged into the affected areas a few times a day. The oil can also be used completely undiluted if desired for the most severe or immediate situations.

Making our own formulation is very easy to do. It is recommended to start of with lower dilutions and work your way up only if necessary; this helps you conserve the precious oil by only using as much as required for the desired results. Forty drops of Helicrysum in each ounce of carrier oil will create an approximate 5 percent dilution; eighty drops for a 10 percent dilution; etc. The pure essential oil, not diluted in any carrier oil, is recommended when a trauma has just occurred, to prevent further tissue damage due to swelling and oxidative free-radicals. For example, a twisted ankle could receive a few drops of the pure oil from a fingertip, massaged into the painful region immediately after the injury, and several times over the next 24 hours.

In addition to its pain-relieving action, the pure essential oil includes natural constituents which actually speed wound healing. It is thought that this is a result of the oil quenching free radicals in the injured area, and signaling tissues to regenerate. For these reasons, Helichrysum is also found in many formulas for healing and anti-aging of the skin. Helichrysum is also excellent for burns, and just a little bit of oil on small burns can provide immediate relief. (If using for injuries with broken skin, avoid use if excessive bleeding is an issue, as the oil acts as an anticoagulant. Use only once bleeding has stopped completely, and is not likely to be of concern again in these cases).

The most potently-healing Helichrysum essential oil is considered to be the ’serotinum’ sub-species grown on the island of Corsica, France. The oil is often distilled from wild growing plants, which can be the strongest healers due to their synergistic relationship with their natural environment. The oil is also distilled from Helichrysum italicum flowers grown around Europe; one may try more than one source to find the oil that works best for them.

The profoundly effective action for pain relief provided by Helichrysum italicum essential oil is one of natural medicine’s most wonderful treasures. With its exceptional ratings for safety, efficacy and ease-of-use, the oil is unsurpassed as a healing agent for all sorts of pain. Its quick, gentle action is appreciated by the great majority of users, and is worth investigating for your own needs.

The aim of any natural therapy is to restore balance to the body – the same is true in using essential oils for skin care. With natural aromatherapy oils and ‘base’ ingredients, you can support and nourish the skin in a way superior to any synthetic product. While dramatic results can sometimes be seen with skin care ingredients made in a laboratory, natural botanicals can, when properly blended and applied, support long-lasting change without harsh chemical side effects.

Basic (yet very effective) aromatherapy blends for your skin will use some formula of essential oils from plants and flowers, based in a nutritive carrier oil, usually a seed or nut oil. These types of blends provide the powerful therapeutic healing effects of essential oils with the nutritive essential fatty acids of the carriers. Making your own blends is a very simple process; simply measure the proper amounts of carrier oils into a one, two, or four ounce mixing bottle (one with an eye dropper top are best, providing an easy way to dispense the blend) and add the essential oils, mixing as you go.

There are a few essential oils most often used in skin care recipes – you can pick and choose from among these depending on your desired results. Other essential oils may be added to enhance the aroma of your blend; many oils used to do so are also are know to relieve tension or bring about a healthy state of mind – and most natural clinicians will tell you that beauty starts from the inside-out. So make something you love the smell of that also helps your skin glow!

These few primary skin care oils include the following: Helichrysum italicum – the oil of this flower is one of the most highly regarded in aromatherapy for it’s great versatility. It has a pleasant aroma, it contains rare ‘di-ketones’ which stimulate the skin’s natural metabolism, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory (all tissue damage and aging is associated with inflammation on a cellular level). Lavender oil – ‘true’ or ‘French’ Lavender is the most used oil in aromatherapy today because of it’s great multitude of effects. Like Helichrysum, it contains regenerative ketones; it reduces inflammation; it speeds wound healing; AND it has an aroma very well known for its relaxing effects – easing tension while healing your skin – could you ask for more? Next up is Rosemary of the ‘verbenone’ type. It also contains ketones (that the cineol type does not) and is known as a circulatory and metabolism stimulant, increasing the flow of nutrients in, and waste products out, of your skin cells. Palmarosa essential oil is included in many blends for it’s gentle cleansing and antiseptic properties. And last but not least, Carrot Seed oil is the premier oil for regenerating tired, lifeless skin – often a result from too much stress or high levels of pollutant exposure.

This is only a few of the many essential oils included in skin formulas, though these are considered among the most important for their broad range of effects. Almost any essential oil can be added to a blend in balanced quantities. In many cases, oils are added as much for their lovely aroma as their direct therapeutic benefits to skin tissue. Many aromatherapists, and natural health professionals for that matter, consider the overall mental and emotional condition to be of primary importance in creating an appearance of fitness and beauty. Many citrus and floral oils are used for this reason – Neroli, distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, is an often used example. Others are Jasmine, Sandalwood (very popular in Men’s skin care), Geranium and Ylang Ylang.

The essential oils are almost never applied to the skin undiluted (Lavender is a rare exception). Instead, they are added to what are known as ‘carrier’ or ‘base’ oils. Diluting the essential oil in carrier not only stretches your dollar, but the oils actually are more effective this way! Research has shown that most essential oils have the most dramatic therapeutic effects at concentrations of less than 5% of the total blend. And the carriers have their own positive effects; besides helping your skin absorb the essential oils, they provide nutrients such as essential fatty acids, and vitamin compounds which enhance the skin’s health.

A few of the most important carrier oils include the following: Rosehip Seed Oil is highly regarded for it’s regenerating effects for skin which has been over-exposed to the sun or has other damage. It includes a variety of Vitamin A which acts to increase cellular turnover, similar to Retin-A without the over-drying side effects. Numerous scientific studies have validated this oil’s positive effects on damaged or prematurely aged skin. Next is Evening Primrose Oil, which has a significant quantities of gamma-linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid. Evening Primrose oil has been used to support skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and may help premature skin aging. Finally, Hazelnut oil is possibly the most commonly used base oil for skin care; it is gentle, has little aroma, and is suitable for all skin types. Often, small amounts of Rosehip seed and/or Evening Primrose oil will be included in a blend, with Hazelnut oil comprising the majority of the carrier mixture.

Here are several blends categorized by skin type to get you started. For normal skin, used at any time: In each ounce of Hazelnut Oil, add 15 drops Thyme Linalool, 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone, 15 drops Neroli, and 15 drops Spike Lavender; this blend can work well for acne with it’s antiseptic properties, but is an excellent tonic for all skin types.

If your skin has been chemically damaged, is overly-sensitive, or otherwise ‘weakened’ with broken capillaries, try this mixture, applying frequently: For each ounce of base oil, use three parts Hazelnut, one part Rosehip Seed, and one part Evening Primrose. Add the following essential oils: fifteen drops Moroccan Chamomile, fifteen drops Helichrysum, fifteen drops true Lavender, and fifteen drops Roman Chamomile. The Helichrysum, Lavender and Rosehip seed will enhance the skin’s own natural metabolism, and the addition of the Chamomiles will greatly reduce inflammation that is found with almost all damage and/or aging.

If your skin is prone to acne, or has over-active sebaceous glands, the following blend can be of great assistance. It contains regenerative, antiseptic, and cleansing oils. Simply use Hazelnut as the base, and to each ounce include fifteen drops of Green Myrtle or Inula graveolens, fifteen drops Eucalyptus dives (because of the ketones in this oil, it should not be used if pregnant – or under 10 years of age – but is otherwise considered safe), fifteen drops Spike Lavender, and fifteen drops Rosemary verbenone.

For skin appearing tired and lifeless, and a healthy glow with this blend: 1/5th ounce of Rosehip Seed and 4/5ths ounce Hazelnut oil. To this add 15 drops Carrot Seed essential oil, 15 drops Lemon verbena, 15 drops Niaouli, and 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone. The strong, revitalizing qualities of Carrot Seed and the firming effect of Niaouli combine with the natural detoxifying properties of the Rosemary and Lemon verbena to make an excellent restorative blend. For aging skin, for tightening and regeneration, blend in 5 ounces of Hazelnut oil and 1 ounce of Rosehip seed oil, 15 drops of Green Myrtle, 15 drops of Cistus or Rock Rose essential oil, and 15 drops of Rosemary Verbenone. The essential oil concentration is kept low here so the blend can be used near the eyes – if any irritation occurs, limit use near sensitive areas.

These blends are tried and true combinations of essential oils (see Kurt Schnaubelt’s “Advanced Aromatherapy – the Science of Essential Oil Therapy”). They will help get you started into the wonderful world of natural health and beauty. There is a blend here that can suit the needs of nearly every individual; yet there are no hard and fast rules. You can blend oils to your own tastes and needs, just keep in mind that more is not usually better in natural medicine and therapeutics – a balance is important. Most essential oils work best at concentrations below 5% of the total blend in a carrier. For best results, once you begin to experiment, allow your intuition to lead you to the oils and combinations that work best for you.