As Danièle Festy, pharmacist and author of the Essential Oils Bible, points out, cutaneous application is “the royal way” for essential oils (HE), “fast, efficient and safest”. On condition, however, of taking the precaution of testing the HE, potentially allergenic, before the first use and of respecting the dosages.
Most often, a mixture of essential oils intended for cutaneous application (massage) consists of 95% ofvegetable oil and 5% essential oils (i.e. a tablespoon of HV and 15 drops of HE). Theoretically, any HV can do, but the properties of this carrier oil can boost the effects of the essential oil.
For example, the oil ofarnicawell known for its pain-relieving effects, will complement the action of soreness-reducing essential oils better than any other (helichrysum, rosemary with camphor, eucalyptus zesty). Ask your pharmacist for advice or opt for a versatile HV: the oil ofAlmond (massage for children) or macadamia oil (for adults).
The skin can also absorb essential oils via bath water (by mixing them with a solubilizing excipient (such as Labrafi l®, solubol, etc.), or in the shower (20 drops of essential oils in 100 ml of organic shower gel example), or using hot or cold wet compresses (tap water plus HE) or poultices (clay base plus HE for example).
How to use essential oils in massage
To massage the body, never use pure essential oil, especially on a large surface. Dilute it systematically in a neutral oil, at the rate of 4 to 6 drops for 10 ml of oil (2 teaspoons). Wheat germ, apricot, sweet almond… choose! The oil will also allow the hands to glide better, for your greatest happiness…
You will find ready-made vegetable oil bases in pharmacies to dilute essential oils. These bases are very practical and very complete since they combine up to seven different vegetable oils to harmonize perfectly with all types of uses. Finally, always warm the oil in your hands, for a few seconds, before massaging, and not pour it directly in a trickle on the skin. It’s infinitely more enjoyable…
How to do the allergy test
Before considering a cutaneous application of the essential oil, it is important to test it directly on the skin to prevent any reaction. allergic. For this test to be valid, do it with only one EO at a time by lightly rubbing a single drop in the hollow of your wrist. If, after ten minutes, nothing happens, you can use EO without fear of intolerance. On the other hand, if redness or irritation, burn Where an itch appearsabstain and choose another of the same bill with the help of the pharmacist.
If it’s an emergency…
In case of emergency, a direct application is possible by massaging three to five drops of pure HE on the bend of the elbow or on the inside of the wrists. Penetration into the blood is then almost immediate since in one minute, the majority of the active ingredients reach the body through the bloodstream. The effect is usually quite spectacular, when treating congested bronchi, with green myrtlefor example.
On the other hand, you should know that certain “photosensitizing” EOs are contraindicated for such an application if you are exposed to the sun (angelica, lemon, bergamot, tangerine, orange…). And that other EOs, particularly allergenic, are not suitable for skin application (cinnamon, laurel, pine, basil…), even mixed with vegetable oil. Finally, others, dermocaustics, must be sufficiently diluted before their application.
And in case of error?
In a hurry to do your massage, you got the wrong bottle: for example, it’s not pure lavender butoregano pure (very irritating to the skin, by the way) that you applied. Don’t panic, “sponge up” the excess with a cotton ball or cloth and dilute, dilute and dilute again… with vegetable oil. No oil on hand? Use the kitchen water, but never water!
Hygiene precautions
Before and after any aromatic massage, wash your hands thoroughly. Before, for the sake of hygiene, of course. It would be a shame to “pollute” the essential oil-vegetable oil mixture. Afterwards, it is less obvious but potentially more dangerous for the distracted: if you have forgotten that you have just handled essential oils and that a sudden and unpleasant itch in the eye torments you… Look no further! You’re off for a long rinse.
Read also :
The top 10 most essential oils
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