Massage Oils

Last week we had a look at how to make homemade massage oils using base oils and some drops of essential oils. I thought this week it would therefore be a good idea to provide some ideas of the types of blends you can make.

Because both the carriers and essential oils have different properties they all have unique advantages that can be used to target differing things. Dry skin, blemished skin, even cold and fly symptoms, choosing the right blend can really help.

Here is a quick guide to some of the best blends of oil that you can make in the home.

Lavender Massage Oil: Lavender is excellent for feeling calm and sending you off to sleep, so a lavender oil is perfect for use at the end of a long day. It has a lovely smell that is a great natural way to life you mood. If you have just the essential oil at home, a few drops in your bath (or your childrens’ bath) will help relax and calm you.

Eucalyptus Oil: This is ideal for treating the onset of cold and flu symptoms. It also relieves muscular aches and pains so it a good massage oil to be used after intense activity, or the day after when you are finding moving difficult! Children shouldn’t get too close to it however although it is good for clearing their stuffy noses. Simply place some oil on a tissue and let them sniff it or place a drop on their pillow before bed.

Oils for normal skin: The recipe for making an oil for normal skin (skin that is neither very greasy nor very dry) is 30ml Almond Oil + 20ml Thistle Oil + 38ml Jojoba Oil + 2ml Vitamin E. This blend will nourish and moisturize normal skin.

Baby Oil: Baby oil can me made at home quite simply. The following ingredients should be blended together. 38ml Avocado Oil + 40ml Shea Butter Oil + 20ml Thistle Oil + 2ml Vitamin E.

You can have a try at home and come up with your own recipes. Making massage oils and aromatherapy oils is a fun pass time. Have any of you got any other ideas for nice blends of oils? Send in your thoughts below.

How to make Massage Oil

You can make massage oil or aromatherapy oil at home quite easily. All you need are the essential oils of your choosing and a carrier oil, or base oil to blend it with.

There are a few different type of carrier oil, and each one has its own unique qualities. The first step is to choose the one you want. Some common base oils include:

Avocado Oil: This is a good source of vitamins A,B and D and is a medium weight oil. Those who have very greasy skin may want to choose a lighter oil, similarly those with very dry skin might want something stronger. It is particularly good for wrinkles.
Sweet Almond Oil: This is a heavy oil that is suitable for those with very dry skin. It is a good choice if you are wanting to massage your feet which tend to be have very dry skin. It is very rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 and B6.
Grapeseed Oil: This is is a lightweight oil so good for treating quite greasy skin. Grapeseed oil is a a good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals. It is excellent for light massages and is water-dispersible too.
Jojoba Oil: This is actually a wax, not an oil but it is one of the best carrier oils when making massage oils at home. It is very stable and will last a long time. It is a good base to choose if you are dealing with blemished skin or acne.

Once you’ve selected the carrier oil, choose one or two essential oils of your choosing and mix them together using the following quantities:

6 teaspoons of carrier oil + 8 drops of essential oil.

Essential oils are concentrated extracts and not at all appropriate to rub straight on to the skin. This can be dangerous. That is why carrier or base oils are used to dilute them first. The base oil is also important as it stops the essential oil from evaporating too.

Have any of you got any more tips for base oils? Send in your ideas below.

The Big Chill

No, I’m not referring to winter, but to the need to chill out and wind down. Is it just me, or is it getting more and more difficult to find time to simply relax and switch off?

I’m one of those people who always remembers something I ought to be doing, so as soon as I sit down a huge list entitled ‘items you should have done three days ago’ pops into my head...hopeless when all I want is to chill for a few moments. What I really need is something to take my mind off my ‘action list’ (and to stop being such a control freak, but that’s another matter altogether!).


And that’s where Baldwins aromatherapy products come into their own. Not only do they give me the chance to pamper myself, but the intoxicating perfumes have a way of meandering through my olfactory system into my brain and giving my action list a good talking to! No, I’ve no idea how it works – it just does.

The essential oils in aromatherapy are so relaxing that it’s pretty near impossible not to fall under their spell. If you’ve used aromatherapy to help you relax, deal with particular periods of stress in your life, or even illness – tell us your story.

Home Cooking

Have you seen the new Delia Smith cookery programme on TV? I can’t help thinking that her new style of cookery – which consists largely of opening tins and the door of the freezer – is going to put her in the firing line of some other celebrity chefs on our screens. But I say ‘well done Delia’…real cooking for real people who don’t have three days to soak lentils or stuff quail.

On the cookery theme, here’s a couple of ideas you might like to try out in your own home. You can cook in the kitchen if you must, but the bathroom will be even better. The reason for the unconventional cooking environment is that these are aromatherapy recipes fresh from herbalist, Baldwin & Co. Cook up your own gorgeous scented products for bath time pampering or give them away as special personalised gifts. Either way, you’re in for a treat, so here goes.

1. Massage Magic

Pop down to Baldwins and pick up some massage oil, or if you can’t get to the shop, order online. You can either buy the light or the rich version; both contain goodies like vitamin E and evening primrose oil. Choose two or three essential oils to fragrance your base oil. How about Ylang Ylang and Mandarin for a sensual exotic perfume. Simply mix three or four drops of each into 50ml of your base massage oil. Use a jug for mixing and then pour into your final container.

2. Shower Time Wake Up

This recipe is perfect for your morning shower. To 50ml of Baldwins base shower gel add the following essential oils: 8 drops of lavender, 4 drops of peppermint and 2 drops of lime. Mix well, use under a running shower and wait for the ZING!

If you have a favourite recipe for essential oils that you absolutely love (and are generous enough to share with us), then get in touch. We’ll feature some of your ideas on this page over the coming months.