Use of Herb Compresses in Massage

Massage therapy in and of itself can by very therapeutic, as many people can attest to. In many cases massage is done with certain oils; sometimes to simply make the massage easier, in other cases they can add beneficial aroma therapy. One way to take the benefit of massage even further however, is to add herb compresses. There are probably as many combinations of herb compresses for massage as there are masseuses who use them. Many herb compresses, however, have become very popular and established due to their continuing success.

A compress of such elements as ginger, mint, and citrus given during or after a massage can promote a feeling of energy in a subject. Ginger is a very mild irritant to the skin, which is why in the right doses it can stimulate nerve endings and help bring blood to the skin, leaving that part of the body feeling energized and speeding the process of healing. Camphor can also work in this way, as well as citrus herbs. Especially when the massage is focused on promoting energy, this type of herb compress can be a great way to enhance the overall process.

When it comes to massage for relaxation, other types of herbs can be used. Lavender leaves or oil mixed with chamomile are often used as herb compresses to promote relaxation during or after a massage. There are even herb compresses used in massage to help with the sex drive, relieve constipation, ease the symptoms of hay fever, and release feelings of anger. Though massage treatment with these types of herb compresses is often controversial, what really matters most is what each person gets from them. Herb compresses in massage are rarely dangerous, but are both stimulating and detoxifying and you would expect an experienced massage therapist to be educated well enough to know how to use herb compresses and in what quantities.

When using herb compresses for massage, the usual first step is to steep the herbs in water or some type of oil before using them. Though herbs can be applied directly to the skin, combinations of herbs are often combined in a tied cloth bag after being prepared, and then the bag is steamed to warm it and gently rubbed, held or patted over the skin, or the parts of the body where it will be most useful. The key to doing this properly is to study how each herb must be prepared. Sometimes the herbs are prepared separately; sometimes they are steeped together in the water or the oil. The herbs can be applied to the skin separately as well, depending on the effect that the masseuse is going for. There are several good books on using herbal compresses for massage, as well as classes that you can take from licensed masseuses. If you are already a licensed masseuse and would like to venture into the realm of using herbal compresses to enhance the massage experience, it can often be beneficial to simply find a fellow masseuse who has used this method for a while, find out where they trained and then if possible, help him or her with preparation of the herbal compresses. Experiencing it first hand in this manner can be a great way to learn quickly, and in the correct way.