Essential oil guide
Essential oils for massage: what each one does and how to use it safely
The oils Jessie blends into massages at Work Well, what people choose each one for, which ones pair well, and the safety notes that matter. Aromatherapy is included in every session, so use this guide to pick a scent before you arrive.
The short answer
Which essential oils are best for massage?
The essential oils most often used in massage are lavender and Roman chamomile for calm and sleep, sweet orange and bergamot to lift your mood, eucalyptus and peppermint for a clear, open feeling, and marjoram, ginger and rosemary for sore muscles. The best oil for you is one you enjoy; a scent you dislike will not help you relax, whatever it is supposed to do.
Jessie has trained in aromatherapy and adds essential oils to any massage at no extra charge. She blends a few drops into her massage oil, so the scent stays light and the oil is diluted to a skin-safe strength. The 14 oils below are the ones clients ask for most. She keeps many more, so if you have a favorite that is not listed, ask.
Think of essential oils as a comfort, not a treatment. Research on them is mixed and mostly small, and nothing here replaces advice from your doctor. What is clear is that a scent you like makes it easier to let go on the table.
Quick finder
Find an oil by what you want to feel
| Goal | Oils to ask for |
|---|---|
| Calm | Lavender, Roman chamomile, Ylang ylang, Sweet orange, Bergamot, Clary sage, Cedarwood, Frankincense |
| Sleep | Lavender, Roman chamomile, Sweet marjoram, Cedarwood |
| Focus | Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary |
| Breathing easier | Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Frankincense |
| Sore muscles | Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Sweet marjoram, Ginger |
| Mood | Ylang ylang, Sweet orange, Bergamot, Lemon |
| Tension headaches | Lavender, Peppermint |
Want a ready-made combination? The Aromatherapy Blend Builder picks three oils from this list based on your goal, the scents you like and any safety flags, and gives you a diffuser recipe for home.
Oil by oil
The essential oils Jessie uses most
Grouped by scent family. Oils from different families usually blend better than three that smell alike.
-
Floral
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
- Scent
- Soft, clean and floral.
- People choose it for
- Winding down, stress and sleep. Lavender is the most studied oil for relaxation, and inhaling it has been linked with feeling calmer in several small studies.
- In your session
- Neck, shoulders and back, or a drop on the face cradle for a quiet hour.
- Good to know
- One of the gentlest oils. Rarely, it irritates sensitive skin.
- Pairs well with
- Cedarwood, Sweet orange, Frankincense, Sweet marjoram
-
Floral
Roman chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile
- Scent
- Sweet, apple-like and gentle.
- People choose it for
- Settling a restless mind at the end of a long day, and for people who find lavender too sharp.
- In your session
- A soft, low-key note in calming and sleep blends.
- Good to know
- Skip it if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies or other plants in that family.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Sweet orange, Cedarwood
-
Floral
Ylang ylang
Cananga odorata
- Scent
- Rich and exotic; a little goes a long way.
- People choose it for
- A warm, sweet floral that many people find calming and mood-lifting.
- In your session
- Used in very small amounts; one drop in a blend is plenty.
- Good to know
- Strong in larger amounts and can bring on a headache for some people. It can also irritate sensitive skin, so it stays at a low dilution.
- Pairs well with
- Bergamot, Sweet orange, Cedarwood
-
Citrus
Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis
- Scent
- Bright, cheerful and sweet.
- People choose it for
- A cheerful lift on dark winter afternoons, and an easy scent for people new to aromatherapy.
- In your session
- A bright top note that softens woody and floral blends.
- Good to know
- Sweet orange is not considered sun-sensitizing. Like all citrus oils it goes stale with age, and old oil is more likely to irritate skin.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Frankincense, Ginger, Cedarwood
-
Citrus
Bergamot
Citrus bergamia
- Scent
- Citrusy with a soft floral edge.
- People choose it for
- Lifting the mood while still feeling calm; it is the citrus note in Earl Grey tea.
- In your session
- A sunny, softly floral note in calming blends.
- Good to know
- Can make skin burn more easily in strong sun. Skip sun and tanning beds on that skin for about 12 hours, or ask for it in the diffuser only.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Frankincense, Ylang ylang
-
Citrus
Lemon
Citrus limon
- Scent
- Crisp and clean.
- People choose it for
- A clean, awake feeling and a clearer head.
- In your session
- Paired with herbal or minty oils for a fresh, bright blend.
- Good to know
- Cold-pressed lemon can make skin burn more easily in strong sun for about 12 hours. Fine in a diffuser.
- Pairs well with
- Rosemary, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Ginger
-
Fresh and minty
Peppermint
Mentha × piperita
- Scent
- Cool, sharp and awakening.
- People choose it for
- Tension headaches, a foggy head and a stuffy, closed-in feeling.
- In your session
- A tiny amount at the neck, shoulders or scalp, kept well away from the eyes.
- Good to know
- Feels cold and tingly, so it stays at a low dilution. Keep it away from young children’s faces, and it is commonly avoided in pregnancy.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Lemon
-
Fresh and minty
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus
- Scent
- Clearing and camphor-fresh.
- People choose it for
- An open, clearing feeling during cold season or allergy season, and in blends for tired muscles.
- In your session
- Upper back and chest area, or in the room while you are face down.
- Good to know
- Do not use it on or near the faces of young children. If strong scents trigger your asthma, skip it.
- Pairs well with
- Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary, Cedarwood
-
Herbal
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
- Scent
- Green, herbal and bracing.
- People choose it for
- Feeling alert and focused, and in warming blends for sore, overworked muscles.
- In your session
- Legs, back and shoulders after work or training.
- Good to know
- Commonly avoided in pregnancy and by people with epilepsy. Tell Jessie if either applies.
- Pairs well with
- Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood
-
Herbal
Sweet marjoram
Origanum majorana
- Scent
- Warm, herbal and comforting.
- People choose it for
- Comfort for sore, tight muscles, and a warm herbal note in evening blends.
- In your session
- A favorite pairing with deeper work on the back, hips and legs.
- Good to know
- Generally gentle on the skin when diluted.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Ginger, Cedarwood, Roman chamomile
-
Herbal
Clary sage
Salvia sclarea
- Scent
- Earthy and musky-sweet.
- People choose it for
- A calm, grounded feeling; its scent is earthy and a little musky.
- In your session
- A supporting note in calming blends.
- Good to know
- Commonly avoided in pregnancy. It can feel quite relaxing, so plan a quiet afternoon.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Frankincense
-
Woody and resin
Cedarwood
Cedrus atlantica
- Scent
- Dry, woody and grounding.
- People choose it for
- Slowing down at night and feeling grounded; the scent is dry and woody, like a forest after a warm day.
- In your session
- A base note that makes calming and sleep blends last.
- Good to know
- Generally gentle on the skin when diluted.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Bergamot, Frankincense, Sweet orange
-
Woody and resin
Frankincense
Boswellia carterii
- Scent
- Resinous, warm and quiet.
- People choose it for
- Slow, deep breathing and a quiet mind. It is the same resin the wise men brought in the Christmas story.
- In your session
- A warm, resinous base for calming and breathing blends.
- Good to know
- Generally gentle. Like citrus oils, it can irritate skin once it is old and oxidized.
- Pairs well with
- Lavender, Sweet orange, Cedarwood, Bergamot
-
Warm and spicy
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
- Scent
- Warm and spicy.
- People choose it for
- A warming feel in sore, stiff muscles, especially in cold weather.
- In your session
- Low back, hips and legs, often alongside warm stones.
- Good to know
- Feels warm on the skin, so it is used sparingly.
- Pairs well with
- Sweet orange, Sweet marjoram, Lemon, Frankincense
Safety
Essential oil safety, in plain terms
Always diluted, never neat
Essential oils are highly concentrated. On the skin they should always be mixed into a carrier oil or lotion first. Undiluted oil can burn or irritate, and repeated use can lead to a lasting skin allergy. Keep oils away from your eyes, and never swallow them.
Sun-sensitive citrus
Bergamot and cold-pressed lemon can make skin burn or discolor in strong sun. If you are heading to the beach at Farragut, out on the boat or up the mountain after your massage, choose a different scent that day or ask for citrus in the diffuser only. Sweet orange does not have this effect.
Children, pets and sensitive noses
Peppermint and eucalyptus should not be used on or near the faces of young children. Cats and some other pets are very sensitive to essential oils, so at home, diffuse in a room they can leave and keep bottles out of reach. If you have asthma, get migraines from strong smells or are sensitive to fragrance, say so when you book; the scent can be very light, kept away from your face, or left out.
Health conditions and medications
Tell Jessie about allergies, skin conditions, epilepsy, and any medications or treatment you are having. Rosemary is commonly avoided with epilepsy, and Roman chamomile with ragweed allergies. If you are unsure, ask your doctor first.
If you are pregnant
Jessie sees expecting clients after the first trimester, with their provider’s OK. She does not use essential oils in the massage itself for pregnant clients; your massage oil is unscented.
There may be a light aromatherapy scent in the room. If you would rather have none, mention it when you book. For using oils at home during pregnancy, ask your provider; clary sage, rosemary and peppermint are among the oils commonly avoided. Read more about pregnancy massage.
Between visits
Using essential oils at home
-
In a diffuser
Follow your diffuser’s instructions; for most, 3 to 5 drops in about 100 ml of water is plenty. Run it for 30 to 60 minutes, then give the room a break. More is not better, and constant scent tends to stop registering.
-
As a body oil
For adults, about 6 drops of essential oil per ounce (30 ml) of carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or fractionated coconut gives roughly a 1% blend; up to about 12 drops (2%) is common for a body massage. Use less on the face and for sensitive skin.
-
In the bath
Oil and water do not mix, so drops added straight to bathwater float and can sting. Mix 3 to 5 drops into a tablespoon of carrier oil first, then add it to the bath.
-
Patch test and storage
Try a small amount of a new blend on your inner arm and wait a day. Store oils in dark glass, tightly capped, away from heat and light, and replace citrus oils after about a year; old oils are more likely to irritate.
After a session, there is no need to shower the oil off right away; see massage aftercare for what to do in the hours after your massage.
Questions
Essential oil questions, answered
Does aromatherapy cost extra at Work Well Massage?
No. Essential oils are included with every massage at no extra charge, the same as hot stones. Every style costs $100 for 60 minutes, $140 for 90 minutes and $180 for 120 minutes. Tell Jessie which scent you like, or book an aromatherapy massage when scent is the point.
Which essential oil is best for sleep?
Lavender is the classic choice, and cedarwood, Roman chamomile and sweet marjoram are popular too. Woody and soft floral scents tend to feel like evening. The best one is the scent you find most relaxing, so try a few and see which you prefer.
Which essential oils help sore muscles?
Sweet marjoram, ginger, rosemary and eucalyptus are the oils most often used in blends for tired, sore muscles. They feel warming or cooling on the skin, and they pair well with deep tissue or hot stone work. The massage does the heavy lifting; the oil adds comfort.
Do you use essential oils during pregnancy massage?
No. Jessie does not use essential oils in the massage itself for pregnant clients; the massage oil is unscented. There may be a light scent in the room, and you can ask for none when you book. Pregnancy massage is offered after the first trimester, with your provider’s OK.
Can essential oils treat anxiety, headaches or other conditions?
Some small studies suggest scents like lavender can help people feel calmer, but essential oils are not a treatment for any medical condition. Use them for comfort and relaxation, and talk to your doctor about symptoms that worry you or do not go away.
Can I skip the scent entirely?
Yes. Aromatherapy is always optional, and an unscented massage is easy. If you are sensitive to fragrance, mention it when you book so the room is ready for you.
Sources and further reading
- Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition (Churchill Livingstone, 2014): dilution, sun sensitivity and pregnancy guidance.
- National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy: safety information
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: aromatherapy
General aromatherapy information for massage clients, not medical advice.
Keep reading
Related guides and articles
Journal
Essential Oils for Stress: What Actually Helps
Which essential oils people use for stress and low mood, how aromatherapy works during a massage, and how to choose scents you will enjoy.
Bring a scent to your next massage
Pick an oil here, or build a blend, and show Jessie when you arrive. Aromatherapy is included in every session.