Swedish massage is a light-to-medium-pressure massage technique that incorporates techniques like effleurage (long gliding strokes), petrissage (kneading), and tapotement (rhythmic tapping, such as the karate chops you might associate with sports massage). Essential oils are often used to enhance your massage experience.
Massage has been shown to boost your mood by encouraging the release of feel-good hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. Regular massage can also improve your immune system by reducing stress, which can wreak havoc on your body’s defenses.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most commonly used essential oils. Its aroma is instantly recognizable and has been shown to help people relax during a massage. It also has antiseptic and sedative properties that make it useful for soothing burns and insect bites.
Aromatherapy oil massage is a Swedish massage Bowling Green that uses essential oils to enhance your experience. Before starting the session, your massage therapist will add a few drops of the chosen oil to your massage lotion or oil.
Long, flowing strokes are used during the massage to ease tension and improve circulation. This type of massage is a great choice for anyone looking to relieve stress and reduce muscle knots. The therapist will use techniques like kneading, vibration, tapping, and passive joint movement to improve your overall mood during the massage. Lavender and other calming essential oils can be added to your massage to improve your experience. Using essential oils for a massage requires combining them with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond, or olive oil, to dilute them.
Frankincense
Frankincense is often called the “king of oils” for its wide array of uses that promote good health. It has been used since ancient times in spiritual ceremonies and medicinal salves. It is harvested from the resin of Boswellia sacra trees found in Oman and Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and in Somalia in northeast Africa.
This essential oil is known to promote cell regeneration, which can help smooth and tone skin. It can also help reduce scars, stretch marks, and acne and treat wounds. It has antiseptic properties and can help fight cold and flu germs.
Frankincense can also treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the inflammatory response of the body’s immune system. It has also been shown to increase breathing capacity, so it is recommended for people with respiratory ailments. It relaxes the muscles between the ribs, allowing for greater lung expansion and easing coughing.
Geranium
Pelargonium graveolens is the species most commonly cultivated to extract its sweet-smelling essential oil. In aromatherapy applications, geranium oil reduces feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, and fatigue, enhances concentration and cognitive function, and balances emotions and hormones.
Its astringent properties effectively eliminate dead skin cells, tighten the skin, and diminish signs of aging. It enhances circulation, soothes menstrual and perimenopausal symptoms, and boosts immunity.
Easily propagated from stem cuttings, geraniums offer a wealth of colors and forms for your garden or window box. Try a few different varieties to find the best one for your space. Plants with lemony scents add zest to salads and sorbets; those with rose fragrances make delicious tea, and those with a fruity flavor are good additions to jams, cakes, or desserts. The fragrant leaves are also a tasty accompaniment to meat dishes and salads. The flowers are a pretty touch in arrangements and bring a delicate scent to the home.
Grapefruit
Known for its cleansing and purifying properties, grapefruit essential oil has a fresh, tangy citrus scent that is cheery and uplifting. It is believed to help with weight loss, reduce sugar cravings, and enhance mood and energy. It is also thought to boost immunity and aid in detoxifying the body.
It is often used in massage as it is said to promote circulation and improve lymphatic drainage. It is also a natural antiseptic and can help treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
It is recommended to dilute the oil with a carrier oil before use, as it can be a skin irritant. It is a photosensitizer and should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is important to note that ingesting essential oil can be toxic and potentially fatal. Therefore, unless you are under the care of a qualified aromatherapist, it is best to avoid using any oils internally.
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