Raindrop Technique® (RT)
D. Gary Young developed the Raindrop Technique®.
In 2001, David Stewart, PhD, circulated a questionnaire to over 2000 health practitioners, massage therapists, aromatherapists and their clients, to gain insight on the results that were accruing from RT. He received 422 responses summarizing the experiences of some 14,000 Raindrop sessions. His findings are summarized in his booklet, A Statistical Validation of Raindrop Technique (available through Essential Science Publishing). Overall, the 416 respondents who had received RT rated it positive (97%), pleasant (98%), resulted in improved health (89%) and resulted in an improved emotional state (86%). 99.9% of receivers said they would choose to receive RT again.
[From the Essential Oil Desk Reference]

Heritage Essential Oils typically used in Raindrop® are: Bones & Joints, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Cypress, Birch, Marjoram, Muscle Relax, Peppermint

Raindrop Description - A Personal Perspective
The purpose of applying essential oils to the spine is to stimulate the immune system, eliminate toxins and bring the body into balance. We personally don't espouse the Raindrop Technique® entirely as taught by Gary Young or others but have simplified what we've learned from their teachings for our personal use. We vary the oils used depending on what we are addressing and the person receiving the massage.

Because a gentle back massage using essential oils may stimulate detoxification, it is important for the one receiving the application to drink plenty of pure water before and after a session. Our suggestion is to drink at least ½ your body weight in ounces of pure water daily, and perhaps more before and for a few days after receiving a and essential oil massage of this nature. This is a beneficial habit whether doing massage or not. If wellness is the goal, stop drinking soda pop, coffee and/or alcohol.

Detoxification may result in bodily soreness, headache, sinus drainage, coughing or a skin rash. While unpleasant, these symptoms are temporary and are merely an indication that you are detoxing. Some teach that skin rashes occur when the colon, liver and kidneys are so saturated with toxins that they are unable to function efficiently. The skin becomes the organ that excretes the toxins - thus the rash. We feel that improperly diluted essential oils can be too intense for the skin and need to be diluted at a rate that they don't cause skin irritation. If this happens, it is advisable to discontinue using the oils for a while and to double water intake. Adding citrus essential oils to the water (a few drops per quart) may give support to the lymph system and be helpful in flushing the toxins.

Babies, children and adults of all ages benefit from a gentle back massage, just be sure for the very young, elderly and those with sensitive skin that you test the oils first on their feet. If they tolerate them well, you may use them sparingly on their backs with proper dilution (which may be up to 98%). Keep alert to reddening of the skin. If this happens, or if the person comments that they feel burning, then add more of the carrier oil to reduce the effect. Below is my version of Raindrop® massage.

Have the person lie face down on a bed or massage table.

- Start with BONES & JOINTS blend. This blend is already diluted.
- Using one oil at a time, apply up the "spine" of each foot (arch) in this order:
Bones and Joints
Oregano
Thyme
Basil
Cypress
Birch
Marjoram
Peppermint

- Drop a few drops of the carrier oil down the spine. Use more for sensitive skin.
- You will use one essential oil at a time in the same order as above, but if you feel to change the order, follow what you feel to do.
- Drop a few drops along the spine (like drops of rain), and then lightly feather-stroke up the spine from the lower back up to the neck.
- Next, gently let your fingers straddle the spine starting at the lower back and move upward to neck three times with each essential oil.
- Now, starting at lower back, use the two fingers that straddled the spine and roll them forward till they rest on the first knuckle joint. Continue this up the spine to the neck.
- Finally, with finger tips making large circles on each side of the spine and gently massage up the sides of the back a few times.
- Sprinkle a few drops of MUSCLE RELAX over the spine and feather-stroke it in. There should be enough carrier oil to glide your fingers up while straddling the spine. If there is not enough lubrication, add a few more drops of the carrier oil. Using these same fingers, gently zig-zag across the back several times to help release any muscle tension.

The following oils are used in the traditional Raindrop session:
Carrier oil (Natural/Organic blend is very nice)
Bones & Joints - helps balance the body
Oregano - immune support, fights bacteria and viruses, antiseptic for respiratory system
Thyme - immune support, fights bacteria, fungus, infection or virus
Basil - relaxing for spastic muscles and stimulates nerves and the adrenal cortex
Cypress - anti-bacterial, -infectious, -microbial, diuretic, decongestant for lymphatic
Birch - anti-inflammatory for bones, muscles and joints, decongestant for lymphatic
Marjoram - relaxing for spastic muscles, relieves cramps, aches and pains
Peppermint - anti-inflammatory, calm nerves, respiratory congestion
Muscle Relax - relax, calm, relieve tension of muscles, fatigue or stress