It's Wednesday, What's Under Wrap?

I always say that Unique Garden Essences offers spa quality products for use in the privacy of your home. So this Wednesday, I want to revisit one of the most "spa like" treatments there is. While there are many "at home" treatments that can make you feel like you are in a spa, none other is quite so spa like, so luxurious as the Body Wrap. While the body wrap treatments are more time consuming than most facial or hair treatments, they are certainly well worth the effort. YOU are well worth the effort and deserve the indulgence!  In addition to the physical benefits of the various ingredients used, you should not ignore the spiritual aspects. So go ahead and wrap yourself in the ocean's best, and emerge like a new creation.... a mermaid perhaps?

To get going in the right direction, there are some tips that, when followed, will help to enhance your treatment. To begin with, before starting these, or any treatment for that matter, make sure that you remove all lotions, perfumes, deodorants, and dirt. The simplest way to do this is by taking a quick shower. When taking that shower, make sure that you use an all natural soap. If you don't have one, at least make sure that you use a mild soap, and preferably a non-perfumed one. Next, warm the tools. By warming the tools, towels, sheets and wrap ingredients you will help to retain your body's heat, thereby enhancing your overall experience. To this end, the use of a space heater is also recommended. By placing it near you in your relaxation area you will not only prolong the heat of the wrap for as long as possible, but will also increase your general comfort level. You can further intensify your treatment, as well as raise your body temperature, by sipping on some hot, herbal tea before your treatment. The cotton strips or sheet that you use to wrap should be immersed in water that is approximately 180 degrees F or 82 degrees C. Make sure that you wear rubber gloves to wring out the sheets/strips so that you can avoid burning your fingers. 

When you are ready to wrap, begin by wrapping the strips (snugly) around your legs, then move to your arms, and lastly do your torso. Make sure to tuck the ends of the strip under a wrapped area nearby to ensure a snug fit. Once you are finished, lay yourself on a plastic sheet (or a shower curtain) and wrap yourself up in it, then cover yourself with blankets, as this will help to maintain the warmth and heat, which helps to activate your treatment. Once you are finished wrapping, put on a warm robe and sit and relax for 20 minutes, unless otherwise directed. Keep in mind that it is very important that you do NOT attempt any physical activity immediately after your treatment. It is usually best to slowly remove the strips and simply roll into bed after relaxation type wraps. Showering shortly after most treatment is not recommended, so please do so only if the recipe/directions specifically mentions it.

Recipes/Directions

For all recipes; 

First off you need to prepare. Select a relaxation spot, such as your bed, the bathtub or a lounge chair. Then cover the area with a plastic sheet or shower curtain liner. Set the space heater next to your relaxation area and turn it on. Place some blankets nearby so they will be handy when you need them.

Relaxation Wrap

1 Cup fresh, chopped, chamomile OR 1/2 Cup dried chamomile 1 Cup fresh, grated valerian root OR 1/2 Cup dried valerian root 1 Cup fresh, crushed lavender OR 1/2 Cup dried lavender 1 cotton or linen sheet cut into 3" wide strips 1 large pot for boiling water (a lobster or spaghetti pot works well) 1 plastic shower curtain liner or plastic sheet blankets Place the herbs in a large pot and fill with water, then bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for five minutes. With a strainer, scoop out as many of the herbs as possible. Then place the sheet strips in the pot and allow to steep for five minutes. Once your five minutes is up, remove the strips one at a time, as you use them, and wring out the excess water. Proceed to wrap yourself as described above, making sure to cover and relax for 10 minutes, after which you should remove the strips slowly and roll on into bed. Valerian has been used since ancient Roman times as a mild sedative, and is used today as a mild sleep aid and anxiety reliever. Chamomile offers calming and anti-spasmodic properties, while lavender lends its balancing, relaxing, and restorative properties, all of which combine to make this wrap the perfect end to a stressful day. Using this wrap just prior to bedtime will maximize its effectiveness, as will delaying washing until the next morning.

Detoxifying Wrap

1 Cup fresh, chopped lemongrass OR 1/2 Cup dried lemongrass 1 3" long piece of grated or minced ginger root 1 large pot for boiling 1 cotton or linen sheet cut into 3" wide strips 1 plastic sheet or shower curtain liner blankets place the lemongrass and the ginger in a large pot and filled with water. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for another 5 minutes. Scoop out as much of the herbs as possible, then place the sheet strips in the pot and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the strips one at a time, as you use them, and wring out the excess water. Apply as instructed in the tip section above. Once completely wrapped, cover with blankets and relax for 15 minutes. After you remove the wrap strips, shower off. Ginger has been cultivated in Southeast Asia for over 2,500 years for its medicinal properties. It has been found to rid the body of flu-like symptoms, colds, and respiratory ailments, while the scent of lemongrass uplifts and rejuvenates moods. Lemongrass has tonic, invigorating and antiseptic properties, while ginger offers stimulating and cleansing effects, which makes this wrap perfect for part of your morning ritual.

Remineralizing Wrap

8 oz dried or powdered seaweed OR 3oz fresh seaweed water (enough to make a paste) 2 Plastic sheet or shower curtain liner blankets This wrap is probably best executed in the bathtub for ease of cleanup. Put a blanket (or blankets, enough so that you are comfortable) on the bottom of the tub, then set the plastic sheet or shower curtain liner on top of the blanket(s). While sitting in the tub, on top of the plastic, cover yourself with the seaweed past or the fresh seaweed, then wrap yourself with a plastic sheet and blankets. Relax for 20 minutes, then slowly unwrap yourself, remove the blankets and sheets from the tub, fill with warm water and relax for an additional 10 minutes. After the treatment pat your skin dry, and don't forget to moisturize. *Make sure that you use the space heater for this treatment. Seaweed wraps are a quick way to remineralize the body while replenishing the body with nutrients and elements that are lost on a daily basis, such as amino-acids, calcium, copper, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, protein, and vitamins. The molecular formation of the human blood cell and that of seawater is very similar, which allows nutrients from the seawater to easily filter through the pores of the skin and directly into the bloodstream. The most popular type of seaweed used for cosmetic and healing purposes is kelp, which is the common name for the leafy brown algae that grows along colder coastlines. Although using fresh seaweed is optimal, a seaweed powder (mixed with enough water to create a mayonnaise-like paste) will give you equally satisfying results.

Make it Yourself Monday- Facial Masks

Now that we are coming into Fall, it is really important to pay attention to your skin and take some time to prepare it for the harsh winter weather that we all hope we don't have! And, if you are blessed enough to live in the warmth, then you still need to care for your skin, because the sun is just as harsh as the cold, if not more so.


So here are a couple of easy to make face masks. The first one will mainly serve to detoxify and remineralize, while the second will be heavily nourishing. So one one week and one another would be perfect! 




Seaweed Mask


You will need;
4 tablespoons of kelp powder-[*See the 1st note below the recipes] (check your local health food store for this).
1/2 cup of aloe vera gel (you can get this in your local big box store or pharmacy)
3 tablespoons of distilled water


Mix the kelp powder and gel in a small bowl, then slowly add in the water until the mixture becomes a the consistency of a thick paste. You may use slightly less or maybe even slightly more water than the amount stated. That is ok. Just get a nice pasty consistency, one that you can easily spread. Then apply it to the face and neck, and leave sit for 15 to 20 minutes while you try to relax. When time is up, rinse with warm water and pat dry, then moisturize as normal.


This mask is gentle enough to be used routinely, so once a week is great, or alternate this one with others that have benefits you may need.


Vegetable Mask


You will need;
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1 cooked and mashed medium sized carrot
1 peeled, pitted and mashed avocado
3 tablespoons honey


Combine all the ingredients into a bowl, mix well, and spread over the face and neck. Relax for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool water and pat dry. Moisturize as normal.


Clay Masks


You can take all manner of clay and add any type of liquid to it to make a mask. You can use milk or other dairy products (such as cream, yogurt, or milk), water or various juices. 


Just a few notes-


-There is more than one type of seaweed available. You need to make sure that you purchase one that is face safe. Some types are only for use as a body wrap, and those are too harsh for facial use. So make sure that you get one that is safe for the facial area.


-There is more than one type of clay available. Generally speaking, certain colored clay is better for certain skin types. Do not buy a certain clay because your friend has that clay. You need the type that is best for your skin! 
Want to know what is best for what? Tune back in tomorrow for Teaching Tuesday- Clay!


- Remember to keep the avocado pit because it is a great natural massage tool.


-If you use clay in a mask, the thicker the clay is, the more intense the drawing action will be, so keep this in mind as you prepare it. 


-Masks are designed with ingredients that are intended to pull impurities from the skin, then other ingredients are intended to either restore and/or put some specific properties back into the skin. 


-What your skin type is, and what it needs to restore balance, are the key factors that should determine the type of mask that you use.  When in doubt, study and ask questions! 

Make It Yourself Monday- Easy Seaweed Scrub

 With winter beginning to appear in our rear-view mirror, it is time to evaluate what this season has done to our skin, repair any damage, and begin preparing for the revealing fashions of Spring and Summer. Today's Make it Yourself Monday project is just the thing to help you on your way to taming harsh, winter skin. 


This recipe is multi-functional. The scrub part gently, but firmly, exfoliates dead skin cells, smoothing the skin, and preparing its surface to more easily accept the nutrients and elements that are needed to replenish those which are lost on a daily basis [by the skin]. 
Since the molecular formation of the human blood cell and seaweed are very similar, nutrients contained in the  seaweed are easily able to be filtered through the skins' pores, and then travel directly into the bloodstream. This means that nutrients and elements such as potassium, magnesium, iodine, protein, copper, vitamins, calcium, and various other amino acids, will be pulled from the seaweed, and transfered into the body, restoring the balance that elements strip away. 


Kelp is the most popular form of seaweed used for healing and cosmetics purposes. Kelp is the common name for the large, leafy, brown algae that grows along the colder coastlines. Fresh kelp is often available in health food stores and many internet vendors, but using the powder, usually by adding water to form a mayonnaise consistency paste, will be just as beneficial as the fresh. 


For this Easy Seaweed Scrub you will need the following


1 lb Sea Salt -  Instead of  ordering this in from a vendor, you can actually get it, very inexpensively, at your local grocery store. Look in the condiment section, it will be in a container similar to your table salt, but with a "sea salt" label. I find that the fine grain works best. 


4 oz. Sweet Almond Oil


1 oz. Shea Butter 


2 oz. Melt and Pour Soap Base - Use whichever type you prefer


1 oz. Seaweed Extract or Seaweed Powder


1 tsp. Fragrance of your choice or 1/2 tsp. your choice of Essential Oil or EO Blend 




To begin, melt the shea butter and the melt and pour soap base in a pan, over low heat. Once melted, remove from the heat and add in the almond oil and salt, mix well, then add the seaweed extract or powder, and lastly, the fragrance of your choice. Make sure that everything is evenly mixed, then pour out into a jar and allow to cool completely. 


Use this scrub as you would any other, making sure to keep the product away from your eyes. Be careful to not to introduce any water into your jar, as water droplets may facilitate microbe growth. In order to prevent this, with a dry hand, remove the entire amount that you will use in one application. Re-seal the lid and put the jar away prior to beginning your scrub, so that you cannot possibly be tempted to reinsert a wet hand into the jar. Wash your face and neck with this scrub, rinse and pat dry, then moisturize as normal.

Teaching Tuesday- Take a Bath that Works for You

You may have noticed that I left Tuesday out of last weeks posts. I went from not posting at all to doing four last week, so I felt that I may be pushing it to try and do five or seven. However, this week is clipping along fairly well, so I thought I'd add an extra post [this week].

At any rate, many of my older posts are geared toward education. Since I have loved learning about herbs and their uses, and by extension, essential oils, sharing that information is exciting and important to me. I don't want to loose that aspect of this blog, so I will continue to write an educational post once in a while. While this may not be each week, if there is something in particular that you would like to know more about, please let me know.

For this week, since I am sitting in a freezer and we are expecting up to six inches more snow today/tonight, I want to revisit the therapeutic value of taking a bath. A bath can revive, awaken, soothe, calm, and/or cure, depending what temperature it is and what you put into it.

A morning bath should be tonic in nature; stimulating the body, eliminating toxins, and relieving the body of physical tiredness. To accomplish this, they should be approximately 97 to 98 degrees F. Of course, this is why I rarely take a morning bath! LOL!

An evening bath can be uber relaxing, getting the body ready for sleep. It can also soothe tired, achy joints and muscles. For a relaxing, getting ready for bed bath, the temperature should be between body temperature (98.6 degrees F.) and 102 degrees F., depending upon personal preference. For a joint and muscle soothing bath, the water temperature should be between 104 and 107 degrees, depending upon your preference. If you are taking a bath after intense physical exercise or after a long, stressful day, you should use the joint and muscle soothing temperatures.

To augment the bathing experience and to help ensure reaching the desired goals/effects, adding an herbal tea or an essential oil (individual or a blend) to the water is a good idea. For a special treat, such as a home spa day, you can even try "thalassotherapy". Thalassotherapy is a water, aka bath, treatment that utilizes seawater, seaweed, algae and/or mud to revitalize the body. These treatments can nourish, detoxify, cleanse, rejuvenate, energize, and improve circulation.

Yes, you CAN do a thalassotherapy treatment at home, quite easily, if you have a good recipe. Of course I happen to have a recipe that takes just minutes of prep time and will offer you a great way to relax in the tub. Additionally, the seaweed (in this recipe) is rich in iodine and protein which are directly absorbed by the skins' pores. This means that they will affect the body on a cellular level, and, in the process, help to detoxify, stimulate, revive and remineralize the body as a whole. Additionally, the gel used in this recipe will help to regenerate and soothe dry, damaged skin, complimenting the effects of the seaweed.

All you need is 1/2 cup of dried seaweed powder (available at many soap and beauty supply shops) and 1/4 cup aloe gel (also available at many soap and beauty supply shops, Brambleberry.com, or in your local pharmacy *just make sure to get plain gel, no additives*). Pour the gel and the seaweed powder into your bath as it runs, then soak and relax for 20 minutes. Pat dry and moisturize when you are finished. This type of treatment can be draining, so be cautious to no overexert immediately after your bath.

*For herbal bathing recipes see this old post

Finally, with any and all baths it is recommended that you drink plenty of water or herbal tea after the bath in order to replenish bodily fluids. You should also moisturize the skin while it is still warm and moist, as this will allow the lotion to soak into the skin. Better absorption equals better product utilization, which equals softer, smoother skin and better protection.

**Disclaimer** Any information I provide on oils, fragrances, herbs and/or butters is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition, nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. The information may not be complete, or entirely accurate. You should seek professional medical advice for any condition or ailment.

WRAP YOUR MIND AND BODY AROUND THIS

After you have scrubbed your body the next step in your at home spa treatment is the body wrap. It is important to treat yourself, to maximize your relaxation, maximize the revitalizing and rejuvenating aspects of this therapy. So go all out for yourself. If your bath area is large, you may want to take a lounge chair and space heater into it. Or you can utilize the tub by simply adding a bath or real pillow, and the heater of course. Some wraps are best done in the bath to keep clean up at a minimum, but you can always go all out by transforming your bedroom into a spa for a few hours. Draw the curtains, dim the lights, light some aromatic candles, preferably some lavender essential oil ones, and maybe some chamomile too. Then bring in a space heater, some large bath towels and all the items you will need for your treatment. Don't forget to uplug the phone either! Prepare your mind so that you can get the most out of this time, you deserve it!

TIPS

• Make sure that if you are not doing this right after you scrubbed, you remove all dirt, perfumes and lotions before beginning a wrap. A quick shower should accomplish this goal with ease.
• It is important to warm all your tools, towels, sheets, and ingredients prior to use. This will help to retain the heat during your treatment, which will help the treatment to work more efficiently.
• The sheet or cotton strips should be immersed in water that is approx. 180 degrees F or 82 degrees C.
• Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin, and avoid burns when wringing out the sheet or cotton strips.
• Select your relaxation spot and gather all of your needed items before you begin. Having everything at hand will speed the preparation phase and allow for a more streamlined and effective treatment.
• Using a space heater near the relaxation area will prolong the heat of the wrap.
• Sipping some hot herbal tea before you wrap will raise your body temperature and intensify the effects of the wrap.
• You can use a cheap shower curtain liner (they have them at the dollar stores) instead of buying a plastic sheet.
• Watch for bedding sales and buy yourself an all cotton (you can also use linen, but I prefer cotton) sheet to cut and use for treatment strips. You will need them to be about 3" wide. You can wash and reuse them many times, so one will be sufficient for quite a while.
• When you make pastes, make them the consistency of mayonnaise for optimal benefits.
• You are not finished with your treatment when the wrap is done. You need to cuddle up in a warm bath robe for another 20 minutes, and make sure that you do not attempt to do any physical activity immediately after the treatment.

*WRAP RECIPES*

*REMINERALIZING WRAP* 3 ounces fresh seaweed (Kelp) OR 8 ounces dried or powdered seaweed with enough water to make a paste plastic sheet or Mylar sheet blanket space heater Place your blanket at the bottom of your bath tub and then place the plastic or mylar sheet on top of it. Set the heater close by and turn it on. Undress. While sitting on the sheet, cover yourself with the fresh seaweed or the seaweed paste, whichever you are using, then wrap yourself in the plastic sheet and blanket. Relax like this for twenty minutes. After your twenty minutes are up, unwrap yourself slowly. Toss the blanket and sheet out of the tub and fill the tub with warm water. Relax in the tub water for ten minutes, then pat dry and moisturize. Kelp is the most popular type of seaweed used in cosmetics and for healing purposes. Seaweed wraps are an easy and fast way to replenish the body with nutrients and minerals that are lost on a daily basis such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iodine, copper, amino acids, vitamins, protein and phosphorus. Since seawater has the same basic molecular formation as the human blood cell, nutrients from the seawater are able to easily filter through the skin pores and be absorbed directly into the blood stream.

*REJUVENATING WRAP*

1 cup fresh, chopped lemongrass OR 1/2 cup dried 3" piece of ginger root, grated or minced large pot of boiling water - spaghetti or lobster pot size 1 cotton sheet cut into 3" wide strips 1 plastic sheet 1 or 2 blankets Put the lemongrass and the ginger into a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Cover and let simmer for five minutes, then remove from heat and allow to sit for an additional five minutes. Take a strainer and scoop out as much of the plant material as you can, and throw it away. Place the strips in the infused hot water and allow to steep for five minutes. When the time is up, draw out the strips one at a time and wring out the excess water. Start at your legs and snugly wrap the strips around your body. After the legs, do the arms, then finish with your torso. Tuck strip ends into the strip in another spot to help make the fit snug and secure. After you have applied all the strips, wrap yourself in the plastic sheet then cover yourself with the blanket or blankets. Relax in bed or on a lounge chair for fifteen minutes, then remove the strips and shower in warm water, pat dry and moisturize. This wrap makes a great morning treatment, as the lemongrass has tonic, antiseptic and invigorating properties, while the ginger is cleansing and stimulating. Ginger has been found to rid the body of respiratory ailments, colds and flu type symptoms, while lemongrass is a known mood elevator and rejuvenator.

*RELAXATION WRAP*

1 cup fresh chamomile, chopped OR 1/2 cup dried 1 cup valerian root, grated OR 1/2 cup dried 1 cup lavender, crushed OR 1/2 cup dried 1 cotton sheet cut into 3" wide strips 1 large pot of boiling water (spaghetti or lobster pot) 1 plastic sheet 1 or 2 blankets Place all the herbs in the pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. Then cover and simmer for five minutes, remove from the heat and allow to stand for another five minutes, then remove as much of the solids as you can with a strainer, tossing them out and retaining the infused water. Put the sheet strips in the water and allow to steep for five minuets. Remove the strips one at a time and wring out the excess water before you begin to wrap them around your legs. Continue removing a strip at a time, and wrapping until you are completely wrapped. Do legs, then arms, then torso. Tuck the strip ends into the strip at another point so that it holds snugly. Once wrapped, lay on the plastic sheet and roll yourself up in it, then relax on your bed or in a lounge chair, and cover yourself with a blanket or two for ten minutes. When your time is up, remove the strips and simply hit the bed. Valerian has been used since Roman times as a mild sedative, sleep aide and reliever. Chamomile has calming and anti-spasmodic effects, while lavender has relaxing, soothing, and restorative properties. The use of all three of these combined makes this the perfect wrap to prepare you for bed after a long, stressful day. Do not shower for several hours after this wrap so that you can preserve and prolong the effects of the heat treatment.