Last week I needed a little extra help in the comforting department. Knowing that my usual bath oil wouldn't work the magic that I needed it to, I decided to mix my own blend to help me through the emotionally rough few days. I arranged yesterday to have a massage and took my chosen oils to be mixed into the massage lotion for further care. I really enjoyed this blend, so I thought that I would pass it along.

It is not to be used during pregnancy, though. I will list substitutions for pregnant women at the end.

Base note: Cedarwood, cedrus atlantica
The qualities of this oil are for relaxing with psychological properties of meditation and tension release.

Middle note: Chamomile, Roman athemis nobilis
The qualities of chamomile are also relaxing and are used in situations involving anger, fear and stress.

Top note: Orange citrus sinensis
The qualities here are used for calming, depression and stress.

In the tub, I put in 10 drops of orange, 5 drops of chamomile, and 2-3 drops of cedarwood into the warm/hot water. Soak as long as needed. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes. I'm unsure of the ratio that my therapist used in the lotion, but it had the same result. I felt comforted. His base lotion that he used was Alba, unscented.

Cedarwood and chamomile are contraindicated for use during pregnancy so, sandalwood and lavender could be substituted in this instance. Both substitution oils are used for relaxation as well, but do not carry any restrictions on their use. I chose to not use lavender in this case because I seem to use it frequently and wanted to use something different, to stand out from my usual routine.

This information was received through the Aromatherapy For Massage workbook written by Judith Koch, NCTMB. She can be contacted at www.massagevideosales.com