The practice of using scented oils and infusions for massages or mixing them with bath water dates back to the Egyptian, Chinese and Indian civilizations. All the oils and concoctions are obtained from plant sources and special parts of the plant like roots, resin, leaves or blossoms are carefully crushed for the extraction process. Pure aromatic oils have great healing properties on both the mental and physical systems. Aromatic oils are either used singularly or a combination of different oils is used in aromatherapy. Depending on the constituents of the aromatic blend, it can tranquilizing, or help eliminate pain, detoxify, renew cells, stimulate or relax muscles, or create calmness in insomniacs.
The essential aromatherapy oils are mixed with carrier oils that are soothing and gentle on the skin. This combination helps nervous system release tension from the inside and the carrier oils make the skin soft, supple by hydrating the dermal layer. Making your own body massage or bath oil is easy and fun as all you have to do is follow the recipe and directions. The only caution to follow when making them yourself is to not over mix or shake the ingredients vigorously as it could damage or lessen the curative properties of the final mixture.
DIY: How to Make Aromatherapy Massage Oils at Home
Pure essential oils have distinct aroma that ranges from delicate to woody or spicy. Rubbing the oil gently on your body not only instantly hydrates the skin but also promotes general well-being. Following are a few aromatherapy massage oil recipes that you to try.
1. Warm Soothing Cardamom Blend
Ingredients:
Sweet orange essential oil (top note): 14-16 drops
Cardamom essential oil (middle note): 3-4 drops
Cinnamon bark essential oil (base note): 5-6 drops
Carrier oil: coconut, almond, or jojoba oil
Directions: Carefully and gently mix the above essential oils and store in a clean dark glass or PET plastic bottle in a cool, dark place. Avoid storing in the bathroom cabinet as they are constantly exposed to warmth and moisture.
Benefits: The sweet aroma of sweet orange essential oil is a great mood enhancer. Cardamom is an essential oil in many Ayurvedic solutions to ease and soothe the nervous system. The antimicrobial and stimulating properties of cinnamon bark essential oil also promotes digestive health.
2. Citrus Floral Blend
Ingredients:
Bergamot essential oil (top note): 10-12 drops
Grapefruit essential oil (secondary top note): 2-3 drops
Jasmine essential oil (middle note): 2-3 drops
Vanilla essential oil (base note) 4-5 drops
Carrier oil: grapeseed, olive oil or jojoba oil
Directions: Stir all the essentials oils carefully, without over or heavy mixing and store them in clean glass or PET plastic bottles in a cool, dry place – away from the warm bathroom environment.
Benefits: Bergamot essential oils elevates mood, keeps stress at bay and grapefruit oil improves skin health. Jasmine oil warms the body and stimulates the senses and vanilla is a great aid for elevating mood. This heavenly mix is perfect for emotional well being and relaxing after a long, tiring day.
3. Relaxing Lavender Blend
This sweetly scented aromatic blend is perfect for enjoying a deep, nourishing sleep. Massaging a few drops of oil over the temples, behind ears, inside of wrists, and on the bottoms of your feet about ten minutes before bed helps ease the body during sleep.
Ingredients:
Mandarin essential oil (top note): 1- 2 drops
Lavender essential oil (middle note): 12 -14 drops
Chinese Rose essential oil (secondary middle note): 2-3 drops
Sandalwood essential oil (base note): 3-4 drops
Carrier oil – grapeseed
Directions: Mandarin essential oil is extremely relaxing and also aids digestion. Lavender essential oil is a powerful natural detoxifier and helps in relaxation. Chinese rose enhances the aroma of the blend while sandalwood essential oil is soothing with anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Bergamot Lavender mix
Bergamot essential oil (top note): 2-3 drops
Lavender essential oil (middle note): 10-12 drops
Chamomile essential oil (secondary middle or base note): 4-5 drops
Carrier oil – grapeseed or jojoba oil
Directions: Gently combine all the ingredients and store in a clean dark glass or PET plastic bottle. Keep away from direct heat or humidity.
Benefits: Bergamot essential oil helps relax stressed muscles and is also a mood-lifter. Lavender essential oil helps soothe the skin and gently detoxifies as well while chamomile essential oil aids inflammation and helps heal wounds and mild dermal irregularities.
How to Make Aromatherapy Baths Oils at Home
Baths are always relaxing as the warm water soothes tired muscles. Adding aromatherapy oils to your bath water will enable you enjoy a spa like treatment in your home! A warm bath infused with the heady scents of these oil mixes will ease off tension and also work wonders for your skin. A handy tip to enhance the benefits of these bath oils is to scrub the skin with loofah and gently pat dry your body with a towel post the bath. Follow with rubbing a few drops of the oil mix on your skin for soft, supple, scented skin.
1. Healing Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Bath Oil
Ingredients:
15 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops Peppermint essential oil
5 drops Rosemary essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree essential oil
125 ml carrier oil of your choice, such as jojoba oil
Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a dark glass or PET plastic bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place, away from your bathroom cabinet – it’s too warm and humid. Pour about a tablespoon into the bath after you’ve finished running the water. Sweet Orange essential oil can cause sunburn – do not use before sun exposure.
Benefits: The soothing, minty feel of this eucalyptus aromatherapy bath oil blend is perfect for relieving stuffy nose, mild flu and eases aching muscles. This antimicrobial blend also helps improve concentration and keeps the mind alert.
2. Lavender Aromatherapy Bath Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
10 drops Lavender essential oil
5 drops Frankincense essential oil
1 drop Cedarwood essential oil
125 ml carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil
Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a dark glass or PET plastic bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place, away from your bathroom cabinet as it can be too warm and humid. Once your bath water is ready, pour about a tablespoon in it.
Benefit: A great mix for soothing a cranky mood, it also helps to get a good, deep sleep. Additionally, it also eases sore, aching muscles. Lavender and cedarwood essential oils help relieve pain by reducing inflammation and relaxing tight muscles.
3. Relaxing Sandalwood Essential Bath Oil
Ingredients:
30 drops Sandalwood essential oil
12 drops Lavender essential oil
2 drops Cedarwood essential oil
125 ml carrier oil of your choice, such as jojoba oil
Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a dark glass or PET plastic bottle. Store in a cool dark place, preferably away from bathroom cabinets. Pour about one tablespoon of this aromatherapy oil mix once the bath water is ready.
Benefits: The rich, invigorating aroma of this oil mix is perfect for de-stressing and will surely calm your body. The deep woody scent of this DIY bath blend is also ideal for men and can also be used as massage oil. It is essential to purchase good quality sandalwood essential oil so that it is effective for skin conditions like eczema and effectively nourishes dry, aging skin.
4. Vetiver Lavender Bath Oil Mix
Ingredients:
20 drops Lavender essential oil
16 drops Orange essential oil
4 drops Clary Sage essential oil
1 drop Vetiver essential oil
125ml carrier oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil
Directions: Carefully combine all the ingredients in a dark glass or PET plastic bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place. Add one tablespoon into the bath after you’ve finished running the water.
Benefits: This deep, nourishing aromatherapy bath oil offers a host of benefits as it calms your nerves, relaxes your muscles and helps to fall into a deep, peaceful sleep. The essential oils deeply hydrate and repair the skin and reduce wrinkles. Alternatively, this concoction can also be used as a body rub – simply rub a few drops on your face and torso before bed time, it offers the same benefits.
