Massage is the kneading and stroking of the body’s soft tissues – the skin AND the muscles – with varying degrees of pressure. It has long been incorporated into a number of traditional health systems such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

Generally, there are 2 types of massage and the benefits of each can be different; gentle and strong.

Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel good’ chemicals, to help induce relaxation and a sense of well being, to relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline. It helps reverse the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure.

Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products. It eases tense knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility. Many of today’s health problems can benefit from massage therapy because the manipulation of soft tissues affects so many of our bodily systems.

Prolonged periods of stress can subconsciously affect many systems of the body. Stress has been shown to aggravate, or even cause, such problems as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss and decreased immune function. Massage therapy is one of the best antidotes for stress. Massage boosts the body’s immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress.

Tension can build up in the muscles, causing a decrease in circulation and nutrient delivery to tissues. Manipulation of the soft tissue decreases muscular tension, increases removal of metabolic waste and promotes nutrient delivery to healing tissue. With a therapeutic massage, stress can be significantly reduced. This, in turn, will increase energy, improve your outlook on life, and in the process boost your immune system function.

As you can see, massage is not just a luxury anymore, it’s a better way to healthier living! If nothing else, massage just feels good. It feels good to get, and believe or not, it feels good to give it as well. Massage therapists are known to find a sense of calm themselves when giving a massage.

In applying holistic healing to your life, you must take a holistic approach in treatment of problematic imbalances. Holistic products are also using when you want a balanced life. The difference between alternative medicine and holistic medicine is that focusing on your physical health is not the main point.

Essential oils play a large role in holistic living. Here we will discuss the many different aspects of essential oils.

An essential oil classified as a carrier oil is an all natural method of aromatherapy. These oils are organic and can be used topically. How you ration the oil depends on your application method of choice.

Let’s look at synergy oil. This oil has 90% essential oil within it and only 10% of carrier oil. Massage oils contain synergy oils in them. Most of these synergy oils are applied very sparingly. Only the massage oil is applied more heavily.

There are different body cleansers that remove waste from your body by use of negative and positive electrical current. You soak your feet in water with an ionizer for about 30 minutes. The water changes color depending on how many toxins are in your body.

With this process, your body rids itself of wastes accumulated due to high stress levels and poor diets. These ions enter into your body and these acids are then neutralized in the process. This is called reverse osmosis.

Using an aromatherapy facial packed with essential oils, use of herbal cleansers, toners, moisturizers help your skin tremendously. Always use products that are all natural.

Here is a list of essential oils and their many uses in dealing with emotions:

• For anger, use Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Roman Chamomile, Patchouli, Petit grain, Neroli, Orange, Bergamot, and Jasmine.
• For anxiety use Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rose, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Frankincense, Mandarin, Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium, Bergamot, and Cedar wood.
• To boost self confidence use Jasmine, Rosemary, Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Cypress, and Bay.
• To aid in depression use Lemon, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Geranium, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Frankincense, and Grapefruit.
• To fight fatigue and exhaustion use Vetiver, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Rosemary, Lemon, Peppermint, Patchouli, Helichrysum, Ginger, Grapefruit, Cypress, Frankincense, Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, and Clary Sage.
• To conquer fear use Vetiver, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Neroli, Lemon, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Lemon, Neroli, Sandalwood, and chamomile.
• To help get over grief use Vetiver, Neroli, Sandalwood, Rose, Helichrysum, Frankincense, and Cypress.
• For happiness and peace use Ylang Ylang, Rose, Sandalwood, Orange, Neroli, Lemon, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Frankincense, and Geranium.
• To help with insecurity try Vetiver, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Sandalwood.
• To ease irritability use Sandalwood, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Lavender and Mandarin.
• To ease loneliness use Rose, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, and Bergamot.

There are so many uses for these essential oils. For each specific problem, you are sure to be able to find an oil which will ease the problem. Inhaling these healthful essential oils helps the body feel good all over. These oils should be a way of life, in maintaining your overall health.