There’s absolutely nothing wrong with picking up a pre-blended massage oil or enjoying one during a spa session. But we can do so much more than that. Why limit yourself to just receiving them as part of a massage? You can use a massage oil every single day – so why not make a good one for yourself? A cannabis-infused massage oil takes things to the next level.
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My first experience with massage oil was over 30 years ago. I decided to take an aromatherapy course that included massage. That first sunny day in the old Victorian school gym was just perfect. The beautiful gothic windows filled the space with colourful light on the shiny wooden floor, and I loved the smell there.
The blend we used was a dreamy mix of Rosemary, Geranium, and Lavender. I still use it today. I didn’t know then that aromatherapy and naturopathy would become my full-time career and life passion.
Why Use a Cannabis-Infused Massage Oil?
Cannabis-infused massage oils have a bunch of great benefits! They’re awesome for helping you relax, easing pain, and they also do wonders for your skin. What a nice way to pamper yourself! Here’s why you might want to make the switch:
Localised Pain Relief
Topical cannabis products usually have CBD (cannabidiol) and/or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in them. These can really help with muscle soreness, joint pain, and inflammation right where it hurts.
Muscle Relaxation
Cannabinoids team up with your body’s endocannabinoid system to help ease muscle tension and stress. That’s why cannabis oils are great for recovery after a workout or for a relaxing massage.
Stress & Anxiety Reduction
CBD has natural calming properties. Pair that with the soothing act of massage, and you’ve got a powerful combo for winding down and rebalancing.
Skin Health
Cannabis oils are often combined with nourishing bases like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil. These are anti-inflammatory, moisturising, and gentle – great for dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis.
Creating Your Own Massage Oil Recipe
Choosing the Right Carrier Oil
When selecting a base oil, I look at three things:
- Heat stability: Since you’ll be infusing the oil with cannabis, it must tolerate heat. Avoid delicate Omega-3 oils like Rosehip, Chia, or Kiwi as they are damaged by heat.
- Slip & glide: For professional massage use, you want an oil that gives good working time without feeling greasy.
- Absorption rate: When you’re using it every day, it’s definitely better if it soaks in quickly. Nobody wants to feel sticky or risk getting stains on their clothes!
Essential Oil Blends for Massage
Once again, with hundreds to choose from, where do you start? The essential oil needs to be affordable and pleasant to use. I love Spearmint oil in the hot summer, but that’s not for me in a cold winter. I want one to be functional and have a therapeutic value, but it also needs to smell nice. A great all-rounder to get you started is *Petitgrain essential oil.
How to Infuse Cannabis in Oils
To make a cannabis-infused mix, use the three oils in the Oil Phase, as they can withstand heat and absorb the cannabis infusion. Choose whether you want pain control by infusing for CBD, for microdosing, or recreational fun (decarb for THC).
Decarb your cannabis in the POT by NOIDS for optimal CBD or THC extraction. After that, add the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran, and Marula oils, then set the infusion button for either CBD or THC. When it is finished, strain the oil out to use in the formulation above.
The dried weed will have absorbed some of the oils, so after you have strained it, top the level up to 90g by adding more Rice Bran Oil if it is needed.
Massage Oil Classic Formulation
Oil Phase: (room temperature)
- 30g *Meadowfoam Seed Oil
- 30g *Rice Bran Oil
- 30g *Marula Oil
Cool Phase: (room temperature)
- 6g *Squalane
- 2g *Vitamin E
- 1g *Lavender Essential Oil (20 drops)
- 0.6g *Rosemary Essential Oil (12 drops)
- 0.4g *Geranium Essential Oil (8 drops)
100g Total
Method
Weigh, then combine all the ingredients together. Mix well, bottle and label. Yep, it’s as simple as that!
Other Essential Oil Blends
The Lavender, Rosemary, and Geranium combination from my first massage remains a favourite of mine. Here are some great alternatives. You could definitely whip up a larger batch of those cannabis-infused carrier oils and then pour them into smaller bottles. That way, you can mix them up with different essential oils when you want! All of these oils are effective, even without cannabis.
Everyday Bliss Massage
This is a great combination for setting you up for a good day or winding down in the evening. It’s relaxing, but not sedating.
To 99g of the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran and Marula blend, add;
- 8 drops *Lavender (relaxation, anti-inflammatory)
- 6 drops *Geranium (mood balance, skin toning)
- 4 drops *Sweet Orange (bright and happy)
- 2 drops *Frankincense (depth and grounding)
Stress Melt Massage
This is perfect for tension release and emotional grounding.
To 99g of the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran and Marula blend, add;
- 6 drops *Clary Sage (hormonal balance + calming)
- 6 drops *Bergamot (uplifting, anxiety relief)
- 4 drops *Frankincense (deep grounding)
- 4 drops *Lavender (relaxation and a soft floral undertone)
Earth & Calm
This is slightly masculine or unisex, making a great “evening chill” oil for deeper, nurturing self-care.
To 99g of the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran and Marula blend, add;
- 6 drops *Cedarwood Atlas (calming, earthy)
- 6 drops *Bergamot (uplifting but grounding)
- 4 drops *Patchouli (rich, musky, balancing)
- 4 drops *Lavender (relaxing synergy)
Sensual Glow Aphrodisiac
A warm, sultry, mood-enhancing mix for intimacy or self-love rituals.
To 99g of the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran and Marula blend, add;
- 10 drops *Sandalwood (rich, creamy base note)
- 6 drops *Jasmine Absolute (intoxicating and floral)
- 2 drops *Ylang Ylang (sensual and euphoric)
- 2 drops *Patchouli (earthy, grounding sensuality)
Deep Sleep & Chill
Designed to calm a racing mind and relax a restless body before bed.
To 99g of the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran and Marula blend, add;
- 8 drops *Roman Chamomile (soothing to the nervous system)
- 6 drops *Lavender (classic sleep aid)
- 4 drops *Vetiver (deep, earthy and grounding)
- 2 drops *Cedarwood Atlas (warm, woody calm)
Sore Muscle Recovery
Deep tissue support with anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting power.
To 99g of the Meadowfoam, Rice Bran and Marula blend, add;
- 6 drops *Sweet Marjoram (muscle relaxant and nervous system)
- 5 drops *Black Pepper (stimulates circulation)
- 4 drops *Ginger (anti-inflammatory, warming)
- 3 drops *Lavender (softens and soothes the combination)
- 2 drops *Roman Chamomile (tissue repair and inflammation)
You can get a downloadable PDF of these essential oil blends and more.
How to Use Cannabis-Infused Oils
- Shake well before each use to evenly distribute the essential oils and infused cannabinoids.
- Apply a small amount (a few pumps or drops) to the area you want to treat, like sore muscles, tired feet, or your neck and shoulders. You can also use it for a relaxing body oil ritual.
- Massage into the skin using slow, firm strokes. Try to apply up the legs and up the arms from the hands. This gives greater lymphatic drainage. Allow the oil to absorb naturally – there’s no need to rinse.
- For post-shower application, towel off gently and apply while your skin is still slightly damp to help lock in moisture.
- Use as often as needed, especially after workouts, before bed, or during moments of tension and stress.
- If you’re using a cannabis-infused version, start with a small area and observe how your body responds. Effects are localised, but if using THC-infused oil, avoid driving or operating machinery afterwards.
General Safety Information
Always research to ensure that an essential oil is safe for you and won’t interact with your medications. Keep all essential oils and cannabis-infused oils away from children. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you use cannabis-infused oils.
Label the bottles with the amounts of the oils used. Keep your oils out of direct sunlight and in a cool place (a cupboard or drawer?) if possible, as this will extend their shelf-life. Do a patch test first to ensure you are not allergic to any of the oils. The ones I have recommended are not nut oils.
Conclusion
This formulation is simple to make and incredibly versatile. Plus, it’s shelf-stable for at least 12 months if stored properly. If you’re feeling a bit achey, want to give your skin some love, or just feel like treating yourself while also doing something nice for your body, making some cannabis-infused massage oil is a great idea! It’s a nice little addition to your self-care routine, and it could become your new favourite thing!
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