Massage Terms

By Anna Lynn Sibal

If you watch martial arts movies, it is highly likely that you have seen a character in such a movie take down his or her enemy through the simple act of pressing certain points in the enemy’s body. The application of pressure on these particular points on the body of the enemy can debilitate him or her in many ways, like making him or her paralyzed or blind.

Carrier oils are oils extracted from certain nuts, fruits and vegetables. Also sometimes called vegetable oils, carrier oils are used by practitioners of aromatherapy and by massage therapists for mixing with essential oils before they are applied to the skin. Carrier oils, just as their name implies, carry the essential oil to the skin for absorption. Carrier oils are necessary because essential oils are too highly concentrated to be used alone and may cause irritations to the skin.

But even though carrier oils function as bases for essential oils, they also have their own individual properties, and these properties are beneficial to the body when applied to it. Thus, carrier oils can be used alone.

Here is a list of the most commonly used carrier oils for massage:

Almond oil. Almond oil has Vitamin D and is good for moisturizing skin. It has a nutty but very light smell, and it is easily absorbed by the skin.

Apricot oil. Apricot oil is rich in Vitamin A, which helps slow down the skin’s aging, as well as rehydrate and revitalize it. Because it is light, apricot oil is also good for use with sensitive and delicate skin. It is also often used for soothing skin burns and inflammation.

Avocado oil. Rich and heavy, avocado oil is often favored for use on people afflicted with skin ailments such as eczema or psoriasis. It is also good for treating sunburn and for improving dull and dry skin. Avocado oil is also believed to help in rejuvenating the skin, making it softer and looking younger.

Evening primrose oil. Evening primrose oil has similar properties with avocado oil in that it is good for treating skin conditions like psoriasis and dryness of the skin. However, evening primrose oil does not keep well and should be used up as soon as it is opened.

Grapeseed oil. This is one of the most commonly used carrier oil, due perhaps to the fact that it is also the least expensive. It is light enough to be used by people with oily skin.

Hazelnut oil. A kind of oil that is rich in nutrients, hazelnut oil is good for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. It also helps fight skin aging by encouraging skin cell regeneration.

Jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is one of the best oils for use with people with oily skin. It breaks down excess sebum, thereby controlling acne and dandruff. It also contains Vitamin E, which helps in keeping the skin looking young and free from blemishes.

Sesame oil. Sesame oil has antiseptic properties. As such, it is good for treating skin infections, fungal problems, and other skin ailments like ringworm and scabies.

Wheat germ oil. Although wheat germ oil has quite a strong smell, it is very rich in nutrients like Vitamins A, B, C and E, not to mention essential fatty acids. It is said to be good in breaking down cellulite, and in removing stretch marks and scar tissue.

Aromatherapy Carrier Oils - See Oil Massage Video