Whether you get a massage at home or at a massage parlor, you want to use some type of massage oil to allow the hands to glide over your skin without friction.
When it comes to oils, you will be spoilt for choice, given the myriad options available such as avocado oil and grapeseed oil.
But what about olive oil? Yes, we’re referring to the same cooking olive oil you use to drizzle over your salads or use in marinades or sauces for meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables.
You can use the same cooking olive oil in massage therapy for amazing results for several reasons, most notably the fact that it is super thick and smooth, and best of all is easily available at your local grocery store.
Extra-Virgin vs. Regular Olive Oil for Massage
When it comes to olive oil, you have two types to choose from—extra-virgin and regular olive oil.
For massages, you always want to use extra-virgin olive and not regular olive oil, because the former is produced in its purest form, therefore is free from any additives.
Furthermore, extra-virgin olive oil contains more nutrients, and retains its natural antioxidants and vitamins compared to regular olive oil.
One of the other perks of olive oil for massage is that it can be used as a carrier oil and combined with many different types of essential oils to create bespoke healing and aromatic massage oils.
That said, here are a few reasons why you can use olive oil for massage.
Reasons to Use Olive Oil for Massage
Dry Skin
Getting a massage with olive oil is an effective way to combat dry and flaky skin, usually caused by harsh weather. Certain nutrients in olive oil help moisturize your skin by reducing water loss, resulting in improved health and appearance of your skin.
Olive oil can also repair damaged skin caused by overexposure to the sun, and can be mixed with vitamin E to create a rich, moisturizing skin treatment.
Head Massage
A scalp massage with olive oil promotes shinier, healthier, and more manageable hair. Massage therapists usually use olive oil in scalp massages to condition and moisturize the scalp and dry hair.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidant content, therefore prevents the circulation of blood in the scalp, and nourishes the hair follicles.
Pain Relief
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons to use olive oil is because it provides great relief from aches, pains, and muscle spasms.
Some ayurvedic doctors in India even prescribe an olive oil massage for relief from gout, swelling, arthritis, sprains, and muscle pains.
Olive Oil Massage Recipe
Ingredients:
- 20 ml of extra virgin olive oil
- 15 drops of your favorite essential oil such as rosemary, lavender, pine, lemon, juniper, tea tree, jasmine, sandalwood, or ylang ylang.
- An empty bottle
Directions:
1. In an empty bottle, mix the olive oil with the essential oil of your choice by shaking the bottle.
2. Let the mixture rest in room temperature for approximately half hour before application.
Final Thoughts
Massaging your skin with olive oil offers numerous benefits such as:
- Strengthening your body, and releasing toxins
- Improving sleep
- Rejuvenating tissues
- Accelerating wound healing, and increasing immune defenses
- Removal of metal and physical fatigue
Massaging with olive oil provides several health benefits such as pain relief, reduce or prevent dry and flaky skin, and eliminate flaky scalp conditions.
You can use olive oil on its own or mix it with any essential oil for a personalized massage experience.
