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.
Table of Contents
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 gothic windows lit up the room with all kinds of colours reflecting off the polished wooden floor, and I just loved the smell in that place.
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 is known for helping to calm people down naturally. 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.
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How to Infuse Cannabis in Oils
To create a cannabis-infused mix, use the three oils from the Oil Phase, as they can handle 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 to ensure maximum extraction of CBD or THC. 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!
Ingredients Spotlight
Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Meadowfoam seed oil is prized for its exceptional stability and lightweight, non-greasy feel. It mimics your skin’s natural sebum, helping lock in moisture and leaving the skin soft and supple. Rich in long-chain fatty acids, it helps retain moisture during massage, making it an excellent base oil.
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Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin E, ferulic acid, and oryzanol. It’s deeply nourishing, easily absorbed, and ideal for sensitive or mature skin. This oil supports skin elasticity and adds a lovely, silky glide for massage without feeling heavy.
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Marula Oil
Marula oil is a luxurious, fast-absorbing oil high in oleic acid and antioxidants. It’s known for its ability to deeply hydrate, calm inflammation, and improve skin smoothness. Marula oil brings a touch of luxury to your blend and leaves skin radiant and comforted.
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Squalane
Vegetable Squalane is a lightweight emollient derived from olives or sugarcane. It mimics the skin’s natural lipids, providing a silky, non-greasy finish. Squalane helps boost hydration, support the skin barrier, and gives your massage oil a beautiful, smooth slip.
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Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as both a skin-loving antioxidant and a natural preservative. It protects skin from environmental stress and helps extend the shelf life of the oils in your blend. Vitamin E also supports skin healing and softens rough patches.
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Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is famous for its relaxing, calming aroma. In massage oil, it soothes both the skin and the senses, helping relieve tension and promote a sense of peace. Lavender’s gentle, skin-friendly properties also make it suitable for most skin types.
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Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil adds a fresh, herbal scent and offers stimulating, circulation-boosting properties. It’s known to help reduce muscular aches and stiffness, making it a great addition to a massage oil blend.
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Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil has a beautiful floral aroma that uplifts the mood and supports emotional balance. It also helps tone and balance the skin, making it a popular choice in skincare and massage products.
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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 Essential Oil – relaxation, anti-inflammatory
- 6 drops Geranium Essential Oil – mood balance, skin toning
- 4 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil – bright and happy
- 2 drops Frankincense Essential Oil – 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 Essential Oil – hormonal balance + calming
- 6 drops Bergamot Essential Oil – uplifting, anxiety relief
- 4 drops Frankincense Essential Oil – deep grounding
- 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil – 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 Essential Oil – calming, earthy
- 6 drops Bergamot Essential Oil – uplifting but grounding
- 4 drops Patchouli Essential Oil – rich, musky, balancing
- 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil – 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 Essential Oil – rich, creamy base note
- 6 drops Jasmine Absolute – intoxicating and floral
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil – sensual and euphoric
- 2 drops Patchouli Essential Oil – 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 Essential Oil – soothing to the nervous system
- 6 drops Lavender Essential Oil – classic sleep aid
- 4 drops Vetiver Essential Oil – deep, earthy and grounding
- 2 drops Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil – 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 Essential Oil – muscle relaxant and nervous system
- 5 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil – stimulates circulation
- 4 drops Ginger Essential Oil – anti-inflammatory, warming
- 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil – softens and soothes the combination
- 2 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil – tissue repair and inflammation
Click to download a PDF Classic Massage Oil and 10 Essential Oil Blends.
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 enhances lymphatic drainage significantly. 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 sore or just want to treat your skin to something nice, why not make some cannabis-infused massage oil? It’s a great way to relax and pamper yourself! It’s a great way to indulge yourself and take care of your body at the same time! It’s a nice little addition to your self-care routine, and it could become your new favourite thing!
FAQ
What are the benefits of using cannabis-infused massage oil?
Cannabis-infused massage oils can help with relaxation, pain relief, and skin nourishment. They may reduce inflammation, soothe sore muscles, and promote a sense of calm without psychoactive effects.
How does cannabis-infused massage oil work on the body?
When applied topically, cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate pain, inflammation, and stress responses. This interaction can provide localised relief and relaxation.
Can cannabis-infused massage oil help with skin conditions?
Yes, the anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties of cannabis-infused oils can benefit skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin by soothing irritation and promoting hydration.
Will using cannabis-infused massage oil cause a high?
It depends on whether you decarbed your cannabis for CBD or THC. Also, different vegetable oils penetrate the skin at different rates, so it’s not a straightforward answer.
Is it legal to use cannabis-infused massage oil?
The legality of cannabis-infused products varies by location. In many areas, CBD-infused products are legal, while THC-infused products may be restricted. Always check local laws and regulations before use.
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