Lavender, roman chamomile, sweet marjoram, bergamot, frankincense, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, ginger, geranium, ylang ylang and sweet orange cover almost every purpose in massage. All should be diluted to one to three per cent in a carrier oil such as sweet almond, grapeseed or jojoba. Several, including clary sage, rosemary and juniper, are avoided in pregnancy.
Key takeaways
- Twelve oils cover almost everything
- You do not need a large collection. A small number of well-chosen oils handles relaxation, muscular tension, alertness and mood.
- Dilute to one to three per cent
- Roughly 12 to 18 drops per 30ml of carrier oil. Lower for sensitive skin, children and pregnancy.
- The carrier oil matters too
- Sweet almond is the standard, grapeseed is lighter and cheaper, jojoba suits sensitive skin, and coconut is a nut-free option.
- Lavender is the most versatile
- Well researched for anxiety and sleep, safe for most people, and blends with almost anything.
- Some oils are stimulating, not calming
- Peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus are alerting. Using them in an evening relaxation blend works against you.
- Pregnancy restricts the list considerably
- Clary sage, rosemary, juniper and several others are avoided throughout.
- Preference beats properties
- A blend you dislike will not relax you, whatever its reputation.
Oils for relaxation and sleep
| Oil | Character | Used for | Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Floral, herbaceous, familiar | Anxiety, sleep, general relaxation | Very few; the safest starting point |
| Roman chamomile | Soft, sweet, apple-like | Irritability, sleep, sensitive skin | Avoid with ragweed allergy |
| Frankincense | Warm, resinous, grounding | Slowing the breath, anchoring a blend | Expensive; use sparingly |
| Ylang ylang | Heady, sweet, floral | Tension, blood pressure, relaxation | Strong; can cause headache if overused |
| Sandalwood | Woody, soft, long-lasting | Grounding, sleep | Expensive; check sustainable sourcing |
| Vetiver | Earthy, heavy | Sleep, deep grounding | Very strong; one drop is often enough |
Lavender is the obvious starting point and has the most supporting research for anxiety and sleep. Sleep-specific guidance is in massage for better sleep.
Oils for muscular tension
| Oil | Character | Used for | Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet marjoram | Warm, herbaceous | Muscular tension, cramping | Avoid in pregnancy |
| Black pepper | Sharp, warming | Aching muscles, warming a blend | Can irritate sensitive skin |
| Ginger | Warm, spicy | Stiffness, cold, circulation | Can irritate; use low dilution |
| Rosemary | Sharp, camphorous | Muscular aches, alertness | Avoid in pregnancy, epilepsy, high blood pressure |
| Eucalyptus | Clean, penetrating | Aching muscles, congestion | Care with asthma; avoid with young children |
| Peppermint | Cooling, sharp | Tension headaches, alertness | Avoid in pregnancy and with young children |
These support the massage rather than treating tissue directly. The actual work is done by the technique, as covered in the deep tissue massage guide.
Oils for mood and alertness
- Bergamot. Bright citrus with a floral edge, commonly used for low mood and anxiety. Choose a bergapten-free version to avoid photosensitivity.
- Sweet orange. Cheerful, inexpensive, almost universally liked, and a good option for anyone who finds lavender cloying.
- Grapefruit. Sharp and uplifting; photosensitising.
- Geranium. Green and floral, often used for balance and for hormonal complaints.
- Lemon. Clean and alerting; photosensitising.
- Peppermint and rosemary. Genuinely stimulating rather than calming, and better suited to a morning blend than an evening one.
Note the practical point: putting peppermint or rosemary into a relaxation blend works against the purpose, which is a common mistake in home blending.
Carrier oils
| Carrier | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet almond | Good slip, moderate absorption, inexpensive | The standard choice; unsuitable with nut allergy |
| Grapeseed | Light, fast absorbing, cheap | Oily skin, hot weather, budget |
| Jojoba | Technically a wax, very stable, long shelf life | Sensitive or acne-prone skin |
| Fractionated coconut | Light, odourless, very long shelf life | Nut-free option |
| Sunflower | Light, inexpensive | General use, nut-free |
| Apricot kernel | Light, nourishing | Facial work, mature skin |
Comparison with waxes, balms and lotions is in massage oil vs wax vs lotion.
Dilution rates
| Dilution | Drops per 30ml carrier | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 per cent | 3 drops | Infants over 3 months, very sensitive skin |
| 1 per cent | 6 drops | Pregnancy, elderly clients, facial work, children |
| 2 per cent | 12 drops | The standard for general body massage |
| 3 per cent | 18 drops | Targeted work on a specific area, short term |
| Neat | Never | Not appropriate for skin application |
Sensitisation from over-concentrated or neat application is usually permanent, so err low. More on safety generally is in aromatherapy explained.
Blending basics
- Two or three oils is plenty. More becomes muddy rather than complex.
- Think in notes. A top note such as a citrus, a middle note such as lavender, and a base note such as frankincense.
- Start equal, then adjust. Rather than following a formula.
- Smell before committing. Blend on a tissue first.
- Respect preference. If someone dislikes lavender, no amount of research on lavender will help them relax.
- Match the purpose. Calming for evening, uplifting for morning, warming for muscular work.
Oils to avoid, and when
In pregnancy: clary sage, rosemary, juniper, sage, fennel, wintergreen, basil, peppermint and several others are commonly avoided, with dilution reduced to around one per cent. Lists vary between training schools, which is why pregnancy aromatherapy belongs with a therapist trained in both disciplines. See the pregnancy massage guide.
With epilepsy: rosemary, fennel, sage and hyssop among others.
With high blood pressure: rosemary and some stimulating oils.
Before sun exposure: bergamot, lemon, lime, grapefruit and other citrus oils, which are photosensitising.
With young children: peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary, and much lower dilutions generally.
Around cats: tea tree, citrus, pine, eucalyptus and peppermint among others, since cats cannot metabolise several of these compounds.
Always: never ingest essential oils, and never apply them neat to skin.
For professional treatment, look for a specific aromatherapy qualification and CNHC or IFA registration[2]. Every therapist listed on Massages Bristol is checked for qualifications and insurance. Browse aromatherapy massage in Bristol or the full directory.
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Find a TherapistFrequently asked questions
This article is researched by the Massages Bristol editorial team using NHS guidance, professional body standards and published research, and is checked against the practice of the qualified therapists listed in our Bristol directory. It is reviewed and updated when guidance or standard practice changes. It is general information, not medical advice: speak to your GP if you have a health condition that may affect treatment.