REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE OR TOUCH YOURSELF

The art of massage therapy can be painted by any, not just the master artists! With a few simple tips you can treat your self, your partner, or be treated by your partner, to a fantastic and therapeutic massage.

**MASSAGE TIPS**

• If you do not have a massage table don't worry! Just cover your firm mattress with a towl or bath sheet.
• Put on some relaxing music, light the aromatherapy candles, dim the lights
• Make sure that the room is warm and the phone is unplugged. If you have children, make sure that they are cared for and that they won't disturb you. In other words, lock your door! lol
• Use natural oils or cremes, as they are nourishing to your skin and create an easy glide on the skin to help with the actual massage.
• Cold pressed oils maintain their natural vitamin content. These nutritive values will lubricate your skin and also will be absorb into the skin when you are finished with the massage, moisturizing it.
• Aromatherapy assists by providing therapeutic benefits, especially when combined with essential oils that are noted for evoking relaxation responses. The fragrance you use should bring to mind pleasant memories. This, then stimulates positive and healing emory patterns.
• The main reason for a massage is to activate the nerve endings in the body and stimulate the bloods circulation through the stroking of the skin, albeit gently or a bit more roughly.
• When you use the right essential oils in massage therapy, you can relieve anxiety and stress, increase lymph production in the system, improve blood flow, detoxify the system, ease pain and soothe sore muscles.
• You can custom blend essential oils to meet your needs, or just ask your herbalist to make you a blend.
• The power of caring human touch is a healing catalyst, both to help release tension and lactic acid build up in mucles. Touch is a comforting, caring signal to the mind and the body.
• A massage that is too painful will not yield effective results. There are many different types of massage techniques. Kneading, deep friction, rocking, compression, skin rolling, fingertip brushing, and percussion to name a few. Whichever you use will depend upon what feels best to you and what works best on you. Your preferences may change with your moods and that is okay too!
• Do not get a massage immediately after exercising. The body continues the process of eliminating toxins through perspiration for a time after you exercise and this will interfere with the absorption of the oil by the skin.
• Remain warm and relaxed after your massage for at least 20 minutes.
• Since warmth is so important in keeping muscles relaxed, you may need to add a space heater to the room when getting a massage. At the very least, keep a few extra blankets nearby for after the massage.
• Pour the massage oil into the palm of your hands first, then onto the skin to warm the oil.
• Replenish body fluids and help to cleanse the body and remove toxins from it after the massage by by drinking 8 ounces of water or herbal tea.

In future posts I will cover more about essential oils and their therapeutic properties, but for this post, I am detailing some recipes for general health and well being. For the most part, you can change the essential oil in the recipes to fit your mood and needs. In this first recipe, the clary sage helps to alleviate fatigue, irritability and depression. The lavender is known for stress reduction, alleviating headaches, and stimulating the circulatory system, not to mention that it is very arromatic. Alone, or mixed with other oils, lavender is also known for inducing relaxation and promoting rest, but mixed with the clary sage, this blend is ideal for cleaning the body systems and ridding it of toxins and impurities. It promotes total physical and spiritual relaxation.

**RECIPES**

**LAVENDER SAGE MASSAGE OIL**

Grapeseed oil is a great oil to use for a massage blend because it is high in polyunsaturates. It is very light and very easily absorbed by the skin. Mix 1/2 cup grapeseed oil with 4 drops of lavender essential oil and 4 drops of clary sage essential oil. Blend them well, then massage into the skin. Try using the pit of the avocado that you used in other recipes as a massage tool. It is a great, natural massager! Remember to rest for 20 minutes after your massage. **VETIVER MASSAGE OIL** Jojoba oil is actually more like a wax than an oil. It is very rich in natural vitamin E and is very similar to natural human oil secretions, sebum. It is very easily absorbed by the skin and is suitable for all skin types, making it one of the most popular carrier oils. Jojoba oil blends well with most essential oils, and has the added benefit of having a longer shelf life than most carrier oils (2-3 years). Vetiver essential oil has a rich, woodsy scent and is known for calming and grounding properties. This recipe is good to use for full body aromatherapy massages or for local applications to sooth tired and sore muscles. Mix 1/2 cup of jojoba oil with 40 drops of vetiver essential oil. Mix the oils well and stor in an amber glass bottle. **MOISTURIZING MASSAGE OIL** You can add whatever essentyial oil blend to this recipe that you need. Here, the oil blend iteslf is the main focus. This recipe is for normal to very dry skin and will leave you with mositurized, amazing feeling skin! 1/2 cup sweet almond oil 1/4 cup coconut oil 4 Tbs. avocado oil 3-5 drops of essential oil(s) Store for 3-6 months in an aber bottle. Make sure to keep out of direct light and away from extreme heat.

**THE ART OF SELF MASSAGE**

Begin by taking some time to quiet yourself and prepare mentally. Once practiced this may only take three to five minutes of quiet time in a softly lit room, but in the beginning you may need longer. Start by focusing on the center of your diaphragm and quieting yourself by concentrating on your breathing. Deep breathing will help you to relax and focus yourself, drwing your attention to the task at hand. Take a few deep, slow, cleansing breaths. Relax and focus on your breathing. Clear your mind of any other thoughts. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, slowly and steadily. Do not let yourself think of anything besides your breathing. Push all other thoughts away. Take as long as you need. Once you are relaxed, it is time to begin your massage. Begin at your feet. Pour some massage oil in the palm of your hands, then take both of hands and massage the bottom of your feet by applying pressure in a circular motion from the center of the foot outward. Then massage upward on each foot, from the ankle to the toes, using the thumbs to press firmly. Massage each toe, then massage the tops of the feet, moving up your legs to the calves, then the upper legs. Continue to apply oil as you go, and as needed. Use a kneading technique on sore muscles. After the upper leg move on to the shoulders and your neck. Start on one side, using your fingertips. Work down yoru arms and then massage your hands and fingers. Be sure to do each finger, just as you did the toes. Once you have finished, stay warm and relax for an additional 20 minutes. Remember to drink your replenishing fluids noted in the tip section above.

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.

Herbal Bath Recipes

Here are some bath blends to make your soak a therapeutic one! After each recipe, you'll find the indications for the ingredients. Remember to tie these ingredients in cheesecloth or muslin and toss into the bath, as it is filling, or hang from the faucet so that the water flows over the bag as your bath fills. You should allow at least 5 minutes of steeping before getting into the tub. Make sure you toss out all used herbs. Also note that the oatmeal should be the old fashion, uncooked type. ____Revitalizing Blend_________ 4 cup ginger root 1/4 cup dried parsley 1/2 cup grated lemon peel 2 Tbs. oatmeal (uncooked, old fashion type) Oatmeal softens the water. Lemon is cleansing and aromatic. Parsley is a skin tonic. Ginger root promotes circulation. ___Invigorating Bath___ 1/4 cup dried rosemary 1/4 cup dried sage 2 Tbs. oatmeal Rosemary relieves mental fatigue. Sage treats loss of concentration. Oatmeal softens the water. ___Stimulating Blend____ 1/4 cup dried basil 1/4 cup dried eucalyptus 1/4 cup dried peppermint Basil regenerates mental powers. Eucalyptus treats lack of concentration. Peppermint alleviates mental fatigue and lack of concentration, and revitalizes. ______Citrus Tonic_________ 1/4 cup lemon peel 1/4 cup grated orange peel 1 Tbs. dried parsley 1 Tbs. dried comfrey Lemon treats lethargy. Orange fights depression and anxiety. Parsley stimulates.Comfrey is a mild antiseptic. ___Relaxing Bath Infusion_____ 1 Tbs. dried peppermint 1 Tbs. dried lavender buds 1 Tbs. dried eucalyptus leaves 1 Tbs. dried chamomile flowers Peppermint alleviates mental fatigue and lack of concentration, it revitalizes. Lavender relaxes, sooths, promotes rest and sleep, and restores balance to the body systems. Eucalyptus treats lack of concentration, and helps you to breath deeply. Chamomile calms you and helps to tone the skin. And, on a slightly different note..........Try a seaweed therapy bath treatment. It is very relaxing, and seaweed is rich in iodine and protein. These are directly absorbed through the pores in your skin, as you soak. This bath will help to detoxify, revive, remineralize, and stimulate the body as a whole. The aloe compliments the effects of the seaweed, helping to regenerate and sooth damaged or dry skin. _____Seaweed Therapy Bath____ 1/2 cup freeze-dried seaweed powder (next to fresh, freeze-dried powder is seaweed in its purest form). 1/4 cup aloe vera gel Pour the seaweed powder and the gel into the bath water, the relax in bath for 20 minutes. Pat skin dry and moisturize after bath. *Seaweed baths can be draining so do not overexert yourself immediately after the treatment. **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.