SIMPLE & ROMANTIC
A romantic and inexpensive gift you can make for a loved one is a warming massage oil! This light, sweet smelling massage oil is beneficial for sore muscles and promotes relaxation. The ingredients are simple but intentional.
THE INGREDIENTS
Fractionated Coconut Oil – absorbs quickly into the skin, moisturizes nicely and can help carry a sweet scent.
Minced Ginger – in skin care can promote blood circulation, calm acne and help sore muscles, aches and pains. Packed with antioxidants, it can also provide smoother skin and give a radiant glow.
Pure Vanilla Bean – is an anti-inflammatory. It smoothes and calms the skin, giving it a youthful appearance. Not to mention the amazing smell it gives off.
Chili Peppers – contain capsaicin, which can help desensitize pain receptors. Capsaicin binds to a nerve receptor called VR1, which signals the brain to think you are being exposed to something hot. The nervous system responds by releasing a neurotransmitter called substance P. Once all the substance P in this area is depleted, no more pain signals can travel from that area to the brain. After the heat sensation fades, the sense of pain is significantly reduced.
Crushed red pepper when infused with oil will give more of a tingle or warming sensation vs. a hot sensation, however it will still ease tense muscles and offer relief.
Making this massage oil is easy. Simply heat fractionated coconut oil with the minced ginger (dried ginger is best), pieces of vanilla bean and crushed red pepper. You will heat the oil on low for several minutes until it gets super hot. Do NOT bring to a boil. Once your oil is very hot remove from heat and let cool completely. I let mine sit for about two hours. Once it is cooled, strain out massage oil by using a cheese cloth in your funnel. I like to transfer the oil into an 8 ounce lotion pump.
As you can see, the oil ends up being a beautiful deep golden color with tiny bits of vanilla bean; it is so pretty! ♥
Last, I add my essential oils. I like to use ylang ylang essential oil because when used in aromatherapy, it gives a person a sense of calm and relaxation.
THE RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 1 Tsp Crushed Dried Ginger
- 1 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper
- 1/2 Crushed Vanilla Pod
- 14 Drops Vanilla Essential Oil
- 4 Drops Ylang Ylang
Instructions
- Combine Coconut Oil, Ginger, Red Pepper and Vanilla Pod.
- Heat on low for several minutes until oil becomes very hot.
- Do NOT bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and let cool for several hours.
- Strain and transfer oil to a 8 oz container.
- Use a cheese cloth in your funnel to strain out ingredients.
- Your oil will be a rich golden color with flecks of vanilla (BEAUTIFUL!)
- Add your essential oils to your container and shake gently to distribute.
- It is now ready to use!
- Use liberally on the skin and massage into sore muscles.
- Avoid touching sensitive areas, such as eyes, after use as this recipe contains chili peppers.
- It smells good enough to eat! Of course I don’t recommend it unless you omit the essential oils 😉
For more DIY recipes and how to better take care of your skin, check out the Beyond Beauty book!
Excellent!
I have had a very busy week and realised how much I need a maasage. Of the few options I had, making the massage oils myself felt so much more interesting and motivating. My research led me here and I am so excited to learn and try this one here. THANK YOU SO MUCH
for your amazing recipe and instructions.
Yours motivated
Haatsari Lorreen 🙄🇿🇼
Hello! Thank you so much for your comments. I am glad you liked it. It’s one of my favorites 🙂
As I was reading I notice you said that you added chili peppers to your recipe, at what point do you add the chili peppers. The picture just shows the peppers floating in the oil. This recipe sounds amazing I just want to make sure I get it right so I can have the best experience.
Hello! You will add the peppers in when you add the ginger and vanilla. I hope you love it 🙂
This recipe sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing. How do you store this oil? And how long will it store for? Will the coconut oil harden if stored? Sorry for all the questions.
Thank you for your comment. The oil should store for several months depending on the quality of the oils used. Store at room temperature. The coconut oil should not re-harden when mixed with the other oils 🙂
Can I use ginger powder or ginger essential oil?
I’ve never tried that before so I’m not sure how it would work but maybe give it a try and see if you like it.