Carrier Oils
A thorough knowledge of Carrier Oils is important for many BodyWork
Therapists, especially those working in the areas of Therapeutic
Massage and/or Aromatherapy.
Comparision between Carrier Oils and Essential Oils
Carrier oils are also known as Fixed Oils because they do not evaporate.
This is in contrast to to Essential Oils which do evaporate and
so are commonly used in "burners" that vaporise such oils
in order to dissipate their scent around a room or other environment.
The following table summarises key differences between these two
categories of oils:
|
Property
|
Carrier
Oils
|
Essential
Oils
|
|
Emollient
|
Yes.
The emollient properties of carrier oils vary but in
general this is one of their characteristics.
|
No
|
|
Marking/Residue
|
Leave a permanent oily mark on paper because they are
non-volatile, hence do not evaporate.
|
Do not leave an oily mark on paper because they are
volatile and so (given sufficient time)
they evaporate into the air. However, colour
present in the essential oil may stain paper.
|
|
Miscibility
|
Generally miscible with chloroform, ether, and petroleum
spirit.
|
Miscible with carrier (fixed) oils. This property is
used when aromatherapists blend a few drops
of essential oils into a larger quantity
of carrier oil.
|
|
Scent / Aroma
|
Very little.
Carrier oils do not generally have disctinctive
scents - it is their consistency and nutrients
that vary.
|
Yes -
Strongly Scented.
Essential oils are those used in aromatherapy.
Note that aromatherapists blend essential
oils with carrier oils before use/application. |
Note: Thorough knowledge about
the selection of these oils, and how
to blend them in appropriate quantities
with carrier oils is important. Specific
essential oils have specific contraindications:
Consult a qualified aromatherapist
before use.
|
|
|
Solubility
(in alcohol)
|
Not soluble in alcohol.
|
Most are soluble in alcohol.
|
|
Viscosity
|
High
|
Low
|
|
Volatility
|
Low
|
High
|
|
|
Properties of Popular Carrier Oils
The following selection of popular carrier oils is listed in alphabetical
order:
Apricot Kernel Oil
|
| |
Apricot oil is similar to Sweet Almond oil (see below) but
is usually slightly more expensive.
Its characteristics include a pale yellow colour,
only slight viscosity, and it is very oily.
"Persic Oil" is the name of the fixed (carrier)
oil extracted from the kernels of apricots (as well as other
similar fruits such as peaches, cherries and plums) by the
process of cold expression.
Odour: |
Moderately strong smell, similar to marzipan. |
Plant & Environs. |
Indigenous to China, now grown in many locations
including the Middle-East, USA and France. |
| |
|
|
Grapeseed Oil
|
| |
Grapeseed oil is one of the most popular carrier oils used
by bodywork therapists. It is a very fine oil that keeps moderately
well and (when used as a massage medium) leaves skin with
a smooth finish that is non-greasy.
|
Odour:
|
Virtually odourless; no distinctive smell.
|
|
Plant & Environs.
|
Grapevines are deciduous climbers, there are many different
varieties. Grapeseed oil originated from France and
is now produced in California, Italy, and Spain.
|
| |
|
|
Peach Kernel Oil
|
| |
Peach kernel oil is similar to apricot kernal oil and sweet
almond oil, however it is usually slightly more expensive
than sweet almond oil.
|
Odour:
|
No odour.
|
|
Plant & Environs.
|
The peach tree is a small deciduous tree of up to about
25 feet (8 m) height. It is indigenous to China, was
brought to Europe by the Romans, and to the USA in the
17th Century.
|
| |
|
|
Sweet Almond Oil
|
| |
Sweet almond oil is one of the most popular carrier oils
used by bodywork therapists. It has a pale yellow colour and
is only slightly viscous (thick consistency), but very oily.
|
Odour:
|
Unrefined sweet almond oil has a delicate sweet smell.
|
|
Plant & Environs.
|
Indigenous to Middle-East, now also grown in the Mediterranean
and South-Eastern USA.
|
|
Vitamins:
|
A, B1, B2, B6, E
|
| |
|
|
Wheatgerm Oil
|
| |
Wheatgerm oil is especially beneficial for tired muscles
and so is an appropriate base oil for use for
after-sports massage.
|
Odour:
|
Unrefined wheatgerm oil has a strong odour.
|
|
Plant & Environs.
|
A cereal grass indigenous to West Asia, now also grown
in many locations across the world.
|
|
Vitamins:
|
A, B1, B2, B3, B6, E, F.
Wheatgerm oil is especially noted for its high vitamin
E content.
|
|
Minerals:
|
Cl, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, S, Si, Zn.
|
| |
|
Note: Persons allergic to wheat flour should be tested
for possible skin reaction before receiving a massage or aromatherapy
treatment that includes the use of Wheatgerm carrier oil.
|
Advice
Notes:
Some of the above oils may have contra-indications,
and some people may be allergic to them.
Always research the side-effects of oils and
do patch tests for skin sensitivity before use.
The above revision information is intended for therapists
qualified in the use of carrier oils.
|
| |
|
Do all courses in bodywork therapies include training in the
use of oils ?
Not all bodywork therapists, or even all massage therapists, are
trained in the selection and use of oils.
For example, practitioners who have trained in Indian
Head Massage but not in general Body Massage may not
have studied oils because Indian Head Massage is often
taught and practised as a dry treatment over clothes.
In the same way, courses in accu-pressure and on-site
massage do not necessarily include training about oils
as these tend not to be used in treatments over-clothes
or in open office, conference, or trade-show environments.
Some reflexology courses include training about media
such as oils, some don't. (Some reflexology courses
require completion of a course in massage as an entry
requirement.)
|
