Massage oils have long been known to be of huge benefit to both body and mind. Not only do they have some really amazing effects on the skin, but they’ve been proven to tackle muscle tension, pain, reduce stress and promote relaxation and sleep. What’s not to love?
The latest craze to hit massage studios across the world though is CBD massage oils.
CBD oil is the nickname given to cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. This is why it’s so commonly known as cannabis oil.
As with all new trends to hit the health and wellness world, it can be difficult to know whether CBD is really as miraculous as some people claim. What scientists do know is clear, but it’s even clearer that they still have much to learn.
The History of Aromatherapy, Essential Oils and Massage
The practice of aromatherapy is arguably as old as time itself. For as long as humans have inhabited the earth, they’ve used their resourcefulness to harness the healing powers of their environment. Aromatherapy might not have become a concept until relatively recently, but it has been in existence for centuries.
The actual definition of aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for healing and cosmetic purposes. This probably isn’t surprising, as we hear so much about essential oils being used for aromatherapeutic purposes. But what are they?
Essential oils are oils which are extracted from selected plants which are believed to have medicinal properties. Some of the most common essential oils used include:
- Lavender oil
- Tea Tree oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Rose Hip oil
- Clove oil
- Frankincense oil
Each of these oils are thought to have therapeutic properties on the body and mind. For example, it is widely accepted that lavender can promote sleep and tea tree oil can cleanse the skin. Aromatherapy harnesses these properties in a holistic and all-natural way.
Since people have begun treating their ailments in this way, massage has been one of their preferred methods. Massage has been proven to have remarkable effects on mood. The slow and deliberate release of muscle tension not only reduces pain but can vastly improve sleep, concentrate and overall wellness. Coupled with the right essential oils, this has become a hugely popular choice for those looking to take care of body and mind.
The Health Benefits of Cannabis Oil
There are over 100 chemicals found in the industrial hemp that CBD is derived from. However, CBD is the one which has received the most attention from the medical science community, the media and the general population. This is mainly because not only has there has been a significant study done into the possible health benefits of CBD, but it’s also been proven that pure CBD cannot cause a “high”.
Studies have shown that CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Researchers believe that this makes it an excellent treatment for chronic pain relief. In fact, they continue to investigate its potential as a future treatment for illnesses such ass:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Arthritis
- Some types of cancer
Other studies are focusing on the potential of hemp-derived CBD to treat mental health. This is a slightly more contentious issue. Some studies suggest that CBD could exasperate some mental illnesses and possibly even cause schizophrenia, while others indicate that it can be extremely useful in treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Because cannabis remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law, research into cannabidiol is slow. However, more and more states are legalizing its use for medical purposes and this, in turn, is speeding up scientific efforts. For now, the picture remains too unclear to draw any hard and fast conclusions. However, there is certainly plenty of reasons to feel hopeful about the future of CBD oil.
Using CBD Massage Oils at Home
Massage experts are now using this oil for clients who want their massage to pack a real medicinal punch. The hype surrounding medical cannabis has made this a trend that everyone is jumping on board with. However, much of the sensationalist claims made about the miracles of medical cannabis are based on misinformation.
Ecstatic declarations that CBD can treat, cure or prevent any disease known to man are not to be trusted. Anyone planning on incorporating CBD oils into their home aromatherapy practice should be very wary of such sensationalism. Carrying out your own research and remembering that not everything you read on the internet is true is as important as ever.
With that being said, CBD oil treatments are becoming more common in massage and aromatherapy in general. While there isn’t much scientific evidence to prove that they work as well as people claim, the anecdotal evidence is hard to ignore. There is also enough data to confidently experiment with CBD treatments without any major fear of harsh side effects.
However, while there is definitely a good reason to be excited about CBD and its potential as a massage oil, it’s important to not get too wrapped up in all of the hype surrounding it. Scientists still know relatively little about this natural remedy, and while what they do know is very promising, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.