Body Oils

in many Arabian countries, a bride's body is massaged in preparation for the sacred marriage ceremony with oils including orange blossom (neroli) rose, jasmine and other exquisite perfumes. Her dress is often perfumed, while the bridegroom may be anointed with rose and oud (also known as aloeswood). These aromatic extravagances have a very long tradition, and their purpose is not only to purify, but to deter the evil spirits, the jinn, from coming to the ceremony.

There is a special sacredness about using essential oils directly on the body. The human being is physical mental, emotional and spiritual, and all are precious. As a general rule, to one ounce of carrier oil (30ml) add between 10-20 drops of essential oil.

In clinical aromatherapy - the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes - the choice of carrier oils can be very important to the outcome. This is not necessarily the case with subtle healing. In Western spiritual traditions, two oils stand out as well established and loved, olive oil and almond oil, no doubt because these trees grew in the Holy Land.

Olive oil is too heavy for all-over body oils; almond oil is thus a good option when choosing a carrier oil. The words ' carrier oil' are interchangeable in aromatherapy with 'base oil' or 'vegetable oil'.

When making a body oil, put the essential oils into the empty bottle first, and swish them around the bottom of the bottle to allow them to act synergistically with each other. Only when they are blended, and have become something more than their individual parts, should the carrier oil be added. put the top on the bottle, turn it upside down a couple of times, then gently roll the bottle between your hands. This action not only ensures complete mixing of ingredients, but energizes the blend.

Reference:The Fragrant Heavens: V.A.Worwood