Which Massage Oil?

[skippy]

I have just started on the ITEC holistic massage course and starting to get my own equipment bit by bit so I can do home study.

I am confused on the oil we are to use, we have been advised to use grapeseed oil as this has no known reactions unlike sweet almond oil. I am wondering if I had to mix anything with this carrier oil or have I purchased the completely wrong product? I bought itfrom thelocal hair and beauty supplies shopwho only sale to the trade and studentsand they were not too knowledgeable on this confusion! Or can you recommend maybe a website that do mail-order?
Can anyone advise me and I would like to get the correct product.

Chelle.

 

[seek513]

Chelle,

I am sure you are right to get grapeseed.

A quick guide to Base oils:

Grapeseed: hypodermagenic, medium friction

Sweet Almond: Nut based - check for nut allergies

Wheatgerm: Check for wheat intollerance

Soyabean:

Peach Colonel:

Cornflower: Cooking oils are good when working with children

Mineral based natural petroleum oils block pores, but give a high level of friction, and so more heat.

 

[Ryce :)]

Personally I typically use a blend:

V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex
A complex of nourishing, antioxidant vegetable oils that is colorless and odorless. It is the ideal carrier for essential oils.

Vegetable Oils:
[blockquote]
Fractionated Coconut Oil is distilled from pure coconut oil. It is colorless, odorless, never goes rancid, and is easily washed out from fabrics.
Olive Oil is rich in cell-protecting phyto-nutrients and antioxidants like squalene.
Sesame Seed Oil contains powerful phytonutrients and is nourishing to the skin.
Almond Oil is high in vitamin E and phytonutrients. Highly nourishing to the skin, it protects cell membranes from oxidative damage.
Sunflower Seed Oil is compatible with the skin's natural oils and sebum.
Wheatgerm Oil is rich in lecithin, vitamin E, and B vitamins. Protects skin from free radical damage. Moisturizing and noncomedogenic.

[/blockquote]

 

[Opireeappeada]

Chelle,

I always use grapeseed as my base/carrier oil now, partly because of the contraindications that have already been listed. It is a bit worrying that the local supplier to students isn't clued up.

derekw

 

[Gonzo]

thanks for your opinions on this - it is much appreciated.
So to clarify, can I use Grapeseed oil on its own or do I need an essential oil to blend into it?

 

[Stoner Stan]

You shouldn't be blended essential oils into any carrier unless you are an aromatherapist, although this is.

Grapeseed oil can be used on its own as a massage medium.

Lesley

 

[rnxhakho]

Thanks to all for your help - much appreciated.

Chelle

 

[Tiara A]

Hi Chelle,
have a look at the Biotone range of oils - by far the best I've used.
I buy from the massagetablestore.com but I think there are a few other sites as well

rgds
david

 

[Rick Barone]

All, I agree on the Grapeseed discussion as the best solution for students.Personally I use a mixture of jojoba and grapeseed - I find grapeseed on its own lacks body, and jojoba on its own has too much. Technically jojoba is not an oil, but a liquid wax - not sure why. Neither of them are nut based.

An interesting article to read is the following from the AMTA Massage Therapy Journal - you might want to go for 'organic' varieties of whatever oil you choose. Pretty scary - draw your own conclusions

InTouch


FOR MANY THERAPISTS, USING THE WRONG TYPES OF MASSAGE OILS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS.
By Dr. Millie Hinkle
[link=http://www.amtamassage.org/journal/jobmakeyousick.html]http://www.amtamassage.org/journal/jobmakeyousick.html[/link]

 

[SilverKisses]

From that link it looks like it wasn't plain oil that was being used - the oil had chemicals added (preservatives) and she spoke of others using lotions.

I'm not going to worry too much about the plain oils I use.