Aromatherapy, the practice of using natural plant extracts to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being, has been practiced for centuries for its profound effects on the body and mind. When combined with the soothing art of massage, it creates a holistic approach to self-care that nurtures both the body and the spirit.

In this post, I will share the basics of self-massage with aromatherapy oils, including how to create an essential oil blend that is safe to use at any age and techniques for applying your oil. These tips will help you create a rejuvenating experience right in the comfort of your own home. And if you love it, which I am sure you will, you’ll want to make this part of your weekly self-care routine. So, grab your favorite essential oils, carve out some “me time,” and let’s learn about aromatherapy self-massage. 

Essential Oil Blending

Blending essential oils is a wonderful way to maximize their benefits for various purposes, from perfumes to therapeutic applications. Essential oils are natural compounds extracted from plants, each carrying its unique aroma and therapeutic properties. When applied topically, these oils can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, offering a range of benefits, from relaxation to pain relief.

To use essential oils topically, it’s essential to dilute them with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation. Common carrier oils include coconut, almond, or jojoba oil. Once diluted, essential oils can be applied to the skin, massaged into sore muscles, or added to bathwater for a soothing soak.

Understanding the viscosity of essential oils is crucial when creating blends, as thicker oils require fewer drops than lighter ones. By experimenting with different combinations and dilutions, you can create personalized blends that cater to your needs, whether for relaxation or targeted health concerns.

Essential Oil Blending: Measurements

Here are some additional measurements to keep in mind:

• 1 ml equals 20 drops
• 1 teaspoon equals 100 drops
• 1 ounce equals 600 drops
• 1/2 ounce equals 15 ml
• 2/3 ounce equals 20 ml
• 5/6 ounce equals 25 ml
• 1 ounce equals 30 ml

Essential Oil Dilutions for Blending

Calculating dilutions is crucial for creating effective blends. For instance, if you’re aiming for a 20% dilution in a 10ml bottle, you’ll need 40 drops of essential oils. You can adjust the number of drops for each oil according to your preferences.

For massage oil blends, I typically recommend a 1-2% dilution for a relaxing effect. However, for specific issues like joint discomfort or muscle tension, a stronger dilution may be beneficial. Here are some general guidelines:

• Dilutions for Adults: 2 – 5%
• Dilutions for Infants and Children: 0.25% – 1%

By understanding dilutions and blending techniques, you can create personalized blends that cater to your needs, whether for relaxation or targeted health concerns.

Dilution Chart for Blending

Use this essential oil dilution chart to help you find the right amount of essential oils for your blend.

Self Massage Using Aromatherapy Blend

To give yourself a relaxing self-massage with your aromatherapy blend, start by choosing a carrier oil such as sweet almond or coconut oil. These items are readily available at health food stores. If you cannot find them, you can substitute with olive oil. However, be aware that olive oil has its own slight aroma. This does not impact the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils; it’s merely a matter of personal preference. Next, add the desired amount of drops for your essential oil blend (see Dilution Chart) to the carrier oil and mix well. Begin massaging the oil into your skin using gentle, circular motions, starting from your neck and shoulders and working your way down to your feet. Pay attention to any areas of tension or discomfort, and spend extra time massaging those areas to release tension and promote relaxation. You may also opt to apply the blend only to areas of concern, such as your neck and shoulders, lower back, knees, or feet. The application location depends on the purpose of your blend. For general stress relief, consider applying it to your whole body after a warm shower or bath. If targeting muscular pain, apply it directly to the site of discomfort. And if seeking relief from abdominal cramping, apply the blend directly to the affected area. Take slow, deep breaths as you massage to fully enjoy the calming benefits of the aromatherapy blend. 

Self Massage Aromatherapy Blend

Use this self massage aromatherapy blend for stress relief and relaxation after a warm bath or shower. Massage on whole body or on the feet.

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Reiki has this incredible way of helping me tap into a reservoir of inner peace and reconnect with the rhythm of life. We all have off days and we all have days where our soul needs a hug. Reiki is that hug for me. The love I feel flowing through my body reminds me to let go of that emotion – lately it’s been frustration – that is keeping me stressed. And when I do I instantly feel like I am sinking into myself again. The way I am without all the crud from the outside world, and finding my peaceful Self again.

And when I pair this experience with aromatherapy? Well, magic happens. Essential oils have a direct pathway to the brain where they can evoke memories, soothe emotions, and promote a sense of peace and balance. I’m going to nerd out for a moment because this is super interesting and blows my mind. Aromatherapy has this effect on us because of the olfactory system, which is the sensory system responsible for our sense of smell. It involves the detection and processing of odor molecules by specialized sensory cells in the nasal cavity called olfactory receptors. These receptors transmit signals to the brain, specifically to the olfactory bulb, where the brain interprets the information and identifies different scents. As a child, I remember waking up to the smell of toast and fresh brewed Cuban coffee, reminding me of my mom and grandma and our family traditions. To this day, the smell of toast makes me think of them. This is how the olfactory system works. A scent triggers an emotional response that influences our behavior and memory. This symbiotic relationship supports emotional awareness and healing. 

Essential oils have this amazing ability to speak to our senses in a way that words can’t quite capture. Whether it’s the calming aroma of lavender or the invigorating scent of peppermint, each oil carries its own unique energy that can help us shift our mood and mindset in an instant. I’ve found that blending these oils with my reiki practice amplifies the balancing effects, creating an opportunity for transformation and growth.

One of my favorite moments was when I first experimented with combining essential oils and reiki during a self-care session. I remember feeling the weight of the world melt away as I applied a calming blend to my wrists and settled into a reiki meditation. It was like all the stress and worries of the day just evaporated, leaving behind a sense of peace and clarity that I hadn’t felt in a while.

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to share reiki and aromatherapy with others. In my practice, I’ve seen firsthand how this synergistic combination can help people find balance, release tension, and reconnect with their inner wisdom. If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or just feeling a bit out of sorts, give it a try. You don’t need to follow any formula. Just smell some essential oils and take a drop or two of the ones you like into a tablespoon of carrier oil. Apply on your wrist, inner elbow and back of the neck. There’s something truly transformative about experiencing these modalities together.

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These products often have chemicals like formaldehyde, parabens, and phthalates that can trigger allergic reactions. Despite my sensitivity to fragrances, I have never had a sneezing fit or negative reaction to essential oils. When I started working with essential oils, I tried many recipes for household cleaners and found one in particular that cleans my floors like magic. I don’t have to worry about allergies when cleaning my floors anymore.

This floor cleaner leaves my floor spotless and my home smelling amazing. It is safe and effective to use on tile, wood, vinyl, and laminate flooring. This recipe requires only three ingredients, is environmentally friendly, and is safe for your floors, family, and pets. It is also really low-cost, pricing out at cents on the dollar compared to commercial cleaners found at the grocery store.

Choose Your Essential Oil

For this recipe, you’ll want to pick your essential oil based on what you need. I often use lemongrass or lemon in my mop bucket to clean my floors, but every now and then, I change it up by trying a different combination. Lemon oil has excellent cleaning and disinfecting properties that make it a great choice for floor cleaning.

One combination I love is wild orange and peppermint because it gives the house an immediate mood lift. The citrus aroma from the wild orange and the refreshing smell of peppermint boost the happiness factor in my home instantaneously. I get plenty of compliments when friends and family walk in after I have recently cleaned with this combo.

• Lemon – disinfectant, removes bad odor
• Melaleuca – cleanses and disinfects
• Lemongrass – removes negativity in the air, cleanses

• Orange – uplifting aroma, removes dirt, grime, bad odor, cleanses
• Peppermint – refreshing

Essential Oil Floor Cleaner Recipe

Ingredients

• 10-15 drops lemon essential oil
• Bucket of warm water
• 2 cups white vinegar

Instructions

• Add all ingredients into a bucket of water.
• Mix and use.

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