Cupping has been all over the news and social media this week with athletes like Michael Phelps sporting his cup marks like a badge of honor. Acupuncturists know the numerous benefits of cupping for pain, inflammation and for drawing heat and stagnation out of the body and it’s good to see the proper application of cupping.  I have seen way too many Facebook and Instagram posts with an excessive number of cups and marks on the body. What the Olympiads know is that our bodies have this amazing self-healing ability and we don’t need excessive cupping to get the job done.

I want to share with you the oil I make for cupping my clients.  An oil is needed on the skin before cupping (especially sliding cups) to make it easier to move the cup around. The herbs and essential oils infused in the oil also give the benefits of aiding in breaking up stagnation and drawing heat out of the tissues and muscles.

As always, use organic and ethically wild-crafted herbs and oils

Pour Some On (a tribute to the Chinese formula Po Sum On)

2 ounce Carrier Oil- I like to blend Olive & Sesame Oils and infuse them with herbs like Ji Xue Teng and Hong Hua

2-3 Menthol Crystals

8 drops Peppermint essential oil

8 drops Eucalyptus (I like E. radiata)essential oil

5 drops Lavender essential oil 

Note: This Oil will cause redness and irritation of the skin.  Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or other sensitive locations. 

Apply liberally to the skin before cupping or guasha. You can also use on sprained and swollen sport sinjuries.

With Love,

Jessica

p.s. thanks to Getty Images for the Michael Phelps picture