Massage can be performed purely with a base oil which is light and unscented (sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, or soya oil). Other base oils can be added for their particular properties; jojoba, apricot kernel and avocado oils are nourishing and are often used as part of skincare regimes, wheatgerm oil is rich in vitamin E, good for skin integrity and repair.

Other oils that can be used in massage are herbal infused oils. Common infused oils include calendula (marigold), comfrey, arnica and St John's Wort, each will impart the valuable properties of the herb to the area massaged. Or to get a more unusual infused oil, why not make your own INFUSED OIL, sweet almond oil infused with lavender is a lovely relaxing massage oil.

The most common way to add the therapeutic properties of herbs to a massage oil is to add essential oils. When making a blend for massage, proportions of 1-3% essential oil to base oil is used, for instance 2-6 drops of essential oil added to 10 ml of base oil. A single essential oil can be used to make the 2-6 drops, or you can use a mix of oils. You can choose oils either for their properties or just because you like the smell.

Massage does not have to be performed with a partner, you can always massage yourself. Methods of massage are beyond the scope of this web page, but you do not have to do anything beyond what feels good (we all instinctively rub sore muscles). If you require further information we can recommend that you read a good book about massage.