Using calendula and/or arnica oil

[Pompal 09.]

Hi all,

I am a qualified homeopath and holistic massage therapist. I am wondering if it is ok for me to add some calendula and or macerated arnica oil (or tincture to my base oil or lotion) if I feel it may be of benefit to my clients when performing massage? I know during my massage training it was stressed that unless qualified in aromatherapy one should not use essential oils on clients unless the client has their own blend.

Calendula and arnica are both used in homeopathic potency and also in oils, creams and ointments (or phytotherapy) , so I would think it would be fine for me to do being a homeopath.

I just feel the need to run it by you guys before going ahead and would appreciate any comments.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

Mal

 

[Paula Ramirez]

Hi Mal

As long as you are not putting yourself forward as an aromatherapists, and the essential oils are just to make the oil smell more acceptable, not to treat conditions then you should be OK ;-)

In aromatherapy the essential oils are generally used in stronger concentrations than most massage therapists would consider using them, they are also blended to suit each individuals requirements not just put together to make a pleasant blend that is safe for everyone regardless of their problems.

These days I tent to just put some Frankincense, clarysage and lavender in to my lotion which isfor general massage use, I also put vitamin E and allentoin into the lotion when I make it to help with the skin, which is the main thing massage therapists come into contact with.

 

[iluvme123]

Since arnica and calendula aren't essential oils, you're outside the realm of aromatherapists (or at least I recognise them as not essential oils) I think anything you can buy over the counter to be used as is, is acceptable, or are you planning on making the oils up yourself? (making them up yourself could be a whole different story). SInce arnica and calendula oils are available over the counter, lots of people that are not trained aromatherapists use a pre-blended massage oil that contains essential oil.

My only recommendation would be find out what the base oil used for the arnica/calendua oil is - just so you know when someone says they are allergic to almond oil and if the arnica/calendula base is almond, don't use it. Also be careful with the calendula - some of the oil can leave yellow stains.

 

[xxxxestwwgj]

Thanks for your replies, which are most helpful. I was thinking of making up some oils myself, but i think I'll just stick to some blends that I can obtain from the pharmacy for now! On my massage training course (ITEC), we were told, that we could only use oil blends on clients if they are the clients own. That is why i've stayed to using just the base oils. I thought I could use arnica or calendula oil with me being a homeopath. I have obtained in the past a WELEDA oil blend consisting of Arnica, rosemary, lavender (can't recall what else) which was for home use. I'd be happy using something similar with some of my clients. I guess as long as I know the contraindications for any essential oils in a blend and check on with clients, it shouldnt be a problem!

Thanks again

Regards

Mal

 

[Arminius]

Hi reikime

could you just clarify what "oils" you are talking about - are you talking about carrier oils or essential oils? Calendula as a carrier oil is brilliant and one of my favourite that I use as a base

Sorry Paul,
do not agree that as long as you dont say that you are an aromatherapist you can use essential oils in your treatments - its like saying that it is ok to give massage as long as you are not calling yourself a massage therapist.

HG

 

[bdrvafrr]

Hi Homelgirl

Actually you can call yourself a massure or a masseuse and charge people for massage therapy without being qualified as long as you do not try and pass yourself off as a trained and qualified therapist, as the law stands at the moment you can set yourself us as almost anything.

Putting a few drops of essential oils into some oil or lotion to make the oil smell better is a million miles away from clinical aromatherapy, where you blend and proscribe essential oil blends to treat specific dysfunctions.

You can also put herbs and homoeopathic additions intowhatever medium you chose to massage people with but that does not turn you into a herbalist or a homoeopath, I formulate my own lotion but that does not make me a chemist just because I mix chemicals together to make lotion.

We might also give our patients a cup of tea and a biscuit or something but that does not turn our treatment rooms into cafés

 

[dillonriker]

I use Calendula and arnica mixed in with other base oils in both massage and aromatherapy.

The ratio is 15 ml sweet almond and 5 ml ofarnica, evening primrose or Calendula etc.

As said by HG they are not essential oils, so you don't need to be qualified.

Hips xXx

 

[W123]

ok Paul

see your point but doesnt actually make it right does it - this is why we are now in the realms of regulation

think we will have to agree to disagree

HG

 

[Sheereseatt]

Hi all

Thanks for your replies.

I was thinking of adding some calendula or arnica (perhaps combo) to either sweet almond or grapeseed oil. I am aware that the oils mentioned are not essential oils. The reason i mentioned Aromatherapy, was because I thought perhaps one has to be a qualified herbalist or homeopath to use the above oil. I don't recall these oils being discussed on my massage course.

I would on occasions like to add some essential oils to my blends, but don't want to have to become qualified in aromatherapy to do so, which was what we were told would need to happen at the college i attended!

So I guess, as long as I do not advertise as a qualified aromatherapist, adding a couple of drops of essential oil to a blend should be ok to do. As for the Calendula or arnica oils, they are fine too regardless of whether I am qualified homeopath or herbalist.

Thanks again,

Mal

 

[Patricia D]

As long as you're aware of any contraindications. Even a couple of drops - for instance using clary sage on a pregnant person - can have effects.

Lesley

 

[Otminiseny]

Hi Lesley

Yes clarysage is one of the milderemmenagogues, some recommend omitting during the first trimester whist others do not, like most things it depends on where the information is coming from, if we consider it was used to clear wine which would have been ingested by pregnant ladies without causing problems, then that brings itsuseinto perspective.

But yes I do agree that it is always better to be aware ofany possible side effects ofanything we use to help people or ourselves, I had someone who was allergic to Aloe Vera once,which I also put in my lotion

 

[RuralLiving]

Personally, as an aromatherapist, I wouldn't use clary sage on any of my clients until term. It is one of the oils we use to help labour along, so is quite powerful.

I actually know of a case where a pre-blend clary sage product was used in the bath by a pregnant lady and she went into labour six weeks early. Of course, we don't know for sure whether the blend caused this as it could have happened anyway, but if there's any uncertainty, we should always act on the side of caution.

Lesley

 

[ksbcrocks]

I wouldn't use it either. I actually don't use lavender on anyone anymore because so many people are sensitised to it due to over exposure (plus I think I was fairly bored with lavender at the end of my training, so I pretty much avoided it anyway ) [/size]

reikime, I wouldn't use the Weleda bland you mentioned on clients, rosemary has a few too many contraindications too to be using it on everyone. Just get a plain calendula/arnica oil and use that, you can mix them, you can dilute them with a base oil, and, other than the possible staining with calendula, you won't have any problems. you'll probably find a plain calendular or arnica oil is a lot cheaper than the Weleda blend anyway. Just make sure you find out what is the base oil in the calendula/arnica oil so you can know if they might be a problem (eg almond oil with nut allergies is sometimes an issue)