Young Living Essential Oils

Massage Anyone?

Oil has been used by man for thousands of years because of the many powers it has demonstrated. Essential oils are used for food, beauty, and medicine, proving its endless usefulness then and now.

We are living in a high-stress society, never enough time to do what needs to be done. Because of this stressful world we live in, aromatherapy and massage have come to be a big factor in reducing stress and tension. There are medicinal products and ways to ease anxiety through oil massages dating all the way back to 1000 BC.

Essential oils are natural products of plants; the bark, flowers, seeds, roots, and leaves. They are called essential oils because they are elemental in nature. Every plant has its own characteristics, giving it a distinct flavor, smell and effect for its use. Let me give you a few examples of wonderful ingredients in massage oils:

Almond oil is used for minimizing swelling, and Olive oil helps loosen stiff muscles, and safflower oil is used as a blood purifier.

Every woman is looking for ways to have smooth, soft, and younger looking skin. Castor oil is known for its healing properties of scar. Avocado provides vitamins A and E nourishing all skin types. If you are struggling with acne, jojoba oil is a big help as it decreases the pores ability to secrete oil. Essential oils are essential for healthy, beautiful skin.

There are several additives that can increase the effect of these essential oils, for example, Aloe Vera can restore irritated or burned skin, cayenne can increase circulation and blood flow. Grape Seed extract works as an antibacterial fighting viruses and keeping infection away from the body.

Aroma therapy is a combination of a soothing massage and aroma stimulant, sending the senses on a wild vacation. Spas are using this along with lights, music and an inviting atmosphere creating a sense of tranquility for their clients, and counting on their "senses" to bring them back again and again. They have caught on the positive effects of using oils for aroma therapy and massage.

What does "Aromatherapy" mean?

Aromatherapy is using the essential oils of plants to benefit the effects of a persons mood or health. The natural oils release their beneficial properties when gently heated. Aromatherapy is using the fragrance oils from plants that are burned, releasing their active properties. They are used as massage oils, allowing the body's own heat to release these precious oils.

You will typically see aromatherapy being used in conjunction with massage therapy. Both of these together provide huge physical and mental benefits, especially when performed by a health professional or masseuse.

And...What is "Massage" therapy?

Massage therapy is a form of placing pressure or kneading different parts of your body, relieving pain and tension. There are different types of massage lotions or oils that can be used in this process. These oils provide healthful benefits for your skin and allowing the masseuse to use its lubrication to get to the deeper tissue and muscles.

A massage can be either relaxing or stimulating, depending on the style of massage you get. A relaxing massage is deeply enhanced by the use of aromatherapy. The massage is effectively releasing the tension and stress in your muscles, the oils in aromatherapy can enhance and extend the effects. This is why most spas offer aromatherapy in conjunction with their massages.

What about that stimulating massage, does aromatherapy help? The answer is yes, and the reason is a massage can stimulate blood circulation and increased breathing, enhancing any aromatherapy being used. There are many who suffer from respiratory or circulatory problems who have greatly benefited from this treatment in spas and biomedical treatment centers.

Analgesics are successfully used for pain because it binds with the specific receptors in the nervous system blocking your perception of the pain, or your emotional response to pain. Endorphins and enkaphins are chemical messengers that are produced in the brain and can also block pain, runners call it an "endorphin high" when they kick in, easing their pain.

Essential oils can also block pain receptors and affect your emotional response to your pain. This is natures way of helping you cope with pain, no matter the origin; nerves, muscles, organs, or your emotions.

Muscle Pain

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a very simple but powerful antispasmodic as well as anti-inflammatory, and is used as a strong muscle relaxant.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) was used by the Romans and was known as the "herb of happiness". Today it is used for soothing muscle and nerve pain, including headaches.

The essential oil that is best known for its pain relieving qualities is Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum). It has antispasmodic and anesthetic qualities as well as working as a anticoagulant, all helping relieve any deep pain you may be suffering.

As mentioned above, Peppermint (Mentha piperita), is also a great source of pain relief. It has been found to be good for arthritis, rheumatism, back aches, and headaches, because of its high menthone and menthol content.

Clove (Syzgium aromaticum) is another essential oil that has been used for thousands of years for pain relief. The famous herbalist, Hildegard of Bingen, of the twelfth century, was known to use clove for his pain. It is highly known for it's anesthetic, and analgesic qualities, as well as being an anti-inflammatory. The American Dental Association still recognizes clove for its analgesic properties for toothaches.