Pix: Pabitra das

Did you know that ylang ylang oil is reputed to be an aphrodisiac when used as a bath oil? And that sweet-almond, jojoba and sesame seeds can do wonders for your skin as they are packed with Vitamin E? There’s more: the pale yellow tea-tree oil and the deliciously fragrant lemongrass oil have anti-fungal properties and dabbing lavender oil on the temples can help remedy a nagging headache.

So if you’re a massage fiend, you’re going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to natural essence oils that are all the rage now to pamper the body and mind. Beauty experts reckon that the benefit of a massage with an essence oil is immense — and it’s time to look beyond the regulation coconut and mustard oils.

For those who came in late, natural oils are categorised as carrier oils (or base oils) and essential oils. Carrier oils are cold-pressed (meaning the oil is extracted by squeezing seeds and nuts in a big press) and don’t have strong aromas. These include the mildly viscous, sweet almond and sunflower oil or thick oils like jojoba or olive oil. On the other hand, essential oils are aromatic as they are extracted from flowers, leaves, bark and roots. These include lemongrass, jasmine, ylang ylang, tea-tree and juniper.

Pix: Pabitra Das

A word of caution from natural beauty expert, Blossom Kochhar: “The oils should not be applied directly as they will burn the skin. It’s best to apply them after mixing them with heavier carrier oils.”

Says Dr Priya Peethambar, head, spa operations, Sohum Spa, Mumbai: “Essential oils like eucalyptus, cinnamon and clove have an invigorating effect while lavender and ylang ylang are mood elevators.” You can add a few drops of these oils when you run a bath or mix them with others like sesame and olive and apply them on the body.

At Aikya Spa different kinds of oils are used for aromatherapy, Swedish massage and hot stone therapy Pix: Pabitra das

A typical pampering session at Aikya Spa in Salt Lake, Calcutta, offers a tempting ‘oil menu’. The basil and peppermint oil is good for muscle aches while the lavender and rosemary oil works against acne and itching. Sandalwood oil is the perfect relaxant while oils that blend essences of rosewood, orange, lavender and basil are perfect for de-stressing.

Says Neal Dodhia, co-owner of Aikya: “These oils are used in aromatherapy massage, Swedish massage and hot stone therapy.” The treatments usually last an hour or more. An aromatherapy massage is priced at Rs 2,700, while the Swedish massage costs Rs 2,800 and hot stone therapy, that lasts 90 minutes, is the most expensive at Rs 4,000.

Most top-notch natural cosmetic brands too are wooing clients with an array of natural oils. Kochhar has formulated a range of essential oils like jasmine oil, basil oil (said to aid concentration), the soothing rose oil and lavender oil (known also to soothe aches and pains). The Blossom Kochhar range of mood oils can be in baths. ‘Dreams’ is a mix of grape seed, sweet almond and apricot oils while ‘Happiness’ is a mix of orange and tangerine oils. These are priced at a moderate Rs 150 for a 15ml bottle. Says Kochhar: “Since the oils are rich with nutrients of seeds and flowers, they are great for skin rejuvenation.”

Natasha Shah of The Nature’s Co. stresses on the use of massage oils as stress-relievers and bath oils for their hydrating qualities Pix by Gajanan Dudhalkar

The base oils in the Forest Essentials range include almond oil (Rs 950 for 100ml), coconut oil (Rs 525 for 100ml) and sesame oil (Rs 575 for 100ml).

Says Mira Kulkarni, the woman behind Forest Essentials: “The lime and ginger body massage oil is a special concoction that has black sesame oil as its base oil and guggul that’s used in Ayurvedic medicines. This is a good body toner.”

More aromatic oils come to you from The Nature’s Co. line of oils owned by Mumbai-based Natasha Shah. She re-commends the coconut, lavender and primrose oils, priced at Rs 525 for 100ml, for massages. Bath oils from The Nature’s Co. include blends of Irish moss and mint bath oils and jasmine and lily oil, each priced at Rs 475 for 100ml.

Divita Kanoria of Tathaastu, a natural cosmetics brand, feels that while avocado oil works wonders on cracked feet, olive oil is a natural sunscreen and jojoba oil has moisturising qualities.

Tathaastu’s relaxing massage oil and Aches & Pains massage oil claim to have healing properties

Kanoria recommends a blend of lavender and sage essential oils for a relaxing bath. These cost Rs 499 for 100ml. She also offers two types of body oils that are best used after a bath for their hydrating qualities. So substitute your moisturiser with Citrus Bliss, a blend of almond, grapefruit and orange oil or Sugar and Spice — a mix of almond and spice oils. These are priced at Rs 750 for 100ml.

On the other hand, the Aches and Pains oil — rich with the goodness of apricot, rosemary and black pepper — and the Relaxing oil with grape seed and sandalwood oils are perfect for body massages. These are more expensive at Rs 1,099 for 100ml.

Clearly, it’s time to escape into your own beauty spa with essential oils for company.