Olea europaea - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Natural Touch Aromatherapy's Extra Virgin Olive Oil (from Olea europaea) is extracted from the flesh of the fruit rather than the stone or "kernel". The olives are first left to dry in the sun until they begin to ferment. They are then gently crushed, the stones are removed while still whole, then the flesh of the remaining fruits is pressed. The oil extracted in this way is then centrifuged and filtered. This relatively lengthy extraction process means that olive oil is also relatively expensive compared with other similar oils.

Olive oil is described in some texts as having very many benefits for therapeutic external use, such as for use in cases of bruises, burns, insect bites, itching skin, and sprains. However, it is not particularly popular as a massage carrier oil, partly because it is rather fatty and heavy compared with other oils (such as Grapeseed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil, for example), and partly because it has a sufficiently strong odour that this may be noticed and overwhelm some of the subtler aromas of essential oils.

Some therapists use olive oil blended with other carrier oils such as Grapeseed Oil or Coconut Oil, in which case it's beneficial properties can be made available and while some of it's disadvantages for massage are overcome.

Note - Olive Oil must be used with care and by trained personnel because it has some known contraindications.