Running an aromatherapy business must be filled with calming music, soothing scents, and lots of relaxation, right? We can all use essential oils for work!
Sometimes. But mostly, it’s just like any other business. The only difference is that we get constant reminders that life is too short to worry about the small stuff, and that number one, it really is all about taking care of ourselves.
I mean, I can’t preach self-care all day and then not properly hydrate myself or work too many hours. Actually, I know that I CAN do that because I have. So what I actually mean is—it just doesn’t work.
That’s why simple tricks to help us stay on track and return back to what matters are essential. I’ve found that besides the ever-present opportunity to just sit back and take a deep breath, essential oils also help bring me back to a focused state.
I recently wrote an article for Massage Today on using essential oils to re-center while at work. Though this is geared towards massage therapists, the article is relevant to everyone. It will not only apply while at work, but the info is great for getting focused in general.
My three go-to essential oils for work (right now) are: Eucalyptus, May Chang, and Spruce.
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) – Think of Eucalyptus as a breath of fresh air. This respiratory tonic and sinus opener will inspire you to breathe deeper. It helps to open the lungs to take in new air, and its expectorant qualities clear mucus from the respiratory passages.
- Spruce (Picea mariana syn. P. nigra) – Spruce, to me, is like strength and growth in a bottle. It’s great for those days when you feel heavy and bogged-down by tasks or responsibilities. Spruce is another respiratory tonic, inspiring a full breath as if we were on a walk in the woods.
- May Chang (Litsea cubeba) – May Chang smells like the excitement of a new day. It is a bright and uplifting, lemon-y smell that feels like the light of gold. It is a bit like Lemongrass but a little less irritant. (This is a super plus!)
These are three of SO MANY to choose from. I want to know, what is your favorite oil to use when you go to work? What about it works for you?
Thank you for letting me share my love for aromatics with you!
Aromatically Yours,
Nyssa
P.S. CALLING ALL MASSAGE THERAPISTS. I need your help! What questions would you like answered regarding massage and aromatherapy? I’ll be writing a few more articles for Massage Today this year, and I’d love to know any burning questions you might have. Leave me a comment on what future articles you’d like to see.
Hi Nyssa,
One of my major concerns with using essential oils during massage is proper usage…as in the number of drops in the massage cream/oil. Another is that I see coworkers putting undiluted peppermint oil on their hands, rubbing them together, and having the client breathe it in. Similarly, coworkers putting undiluted oil directly on their skin. I have been able to educate clients on proper usage, but how to get fellow MTs to understand the potential for developing an allergy. (Note – After 20+ years of using essential oils, I developed an allergy to Lavender.)
Thank You.
Hi Karyn,
I tried to address this in this article here but I know I can go back to that subject again and again. So many have had your same experience of becoming sensitized to oils, which is so sad because we can prevent this with dilution. I’ll definitely find another angle to address this issue.
Spikenard, rich, deep, healing, like being wrapped in Love, tenderness, calming. Ho Wood, rich and woody…takes me to the forest. Lemongrass…we’ve just always had a love affair that doesn’t end.
Oh my goodness, that is beautiful! Love that you love Lemongrass, not one of my favorites but it’s awesome that each oil has a distinct personality that speaks to each of us differently.
Nyssa Hi!!! I’d love to ask you so many questions about massage and aromatherapy! Your Mom too!! My first: Your favorite massage oil you use daily on your clients? I’ve been using a cream for many years but I realize I may need to change to oils for better skin health etc.. What is your set up for using EO’s for an aromatherapy massage? Do you offer pre made blends for them and they pick what they like or do you go through a longer process to see what they may need for health reasons? I know people can take many directions with this. I also fear using to often in the room with sensitization. Thanks Nyssa!
Hello! My favorite massage oil is fractionated coconut oil. I’d say I use it for about 85% of my massages. I also keep almond and jojoba around, sometimes blending 2 or all three together to vary my massage oils. I have several bottles of oil (at least 1 with no coconut because I have one client that is allergic and at least 1 with no essential oils added for clients that prefer no scent) with different carrier oils and essential oils so I always have something that works for each client.
As long as you are diluting your essential oils properly, in my opinion you need not worry about sensitization. Almost all of my sessions include a diluted essential oil blend on the client and a few drops of one or two oils in the diffuser.
I do offer longer consultations for clients who want to go deeper into aromatherapy for their own health, but in my normal sessions I use what I know about them, my own intuition, and choose from the oils I have a working relationship with and I know are generally safe, while making sure those jive with the client before using.
As for your own practice, you have lots of options! If you want more info, check out the articles I’ve written for Massage Today: http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/columnist_other_articles.php?id=4070