beauty #7 SOOTHING LINDEN BATH BLEND

DRIED LINDEN

DRIED COMFREY

DRIED YARROW



OATMEAL

Hello everyone! Hope you had a very relaxing weekend. I welcome you to a new chapter of my beauty blog. Today i am blogging about Aromatic Herbal Baths...ohhhh...sounds relaxing isn't it? Herbal baths, as you all know, are detoxifying and intensely relaxing both spiritually or physically. In many cultures, bathing ceremony with herbs is a ritual, returning to the source for the body and spirit. Bathing is a daily rite, giving a special attention to yourself. So the next time you step into the shower, dont just get in there. Relax and attune with your own being......

RECIPE

1/4 cup dried linden for soothing frayed nerves

1/4 cup dried comfrey for healing skin irritations

1/4 cup dried yarrow, an ancient chinese herb valued for its astringent as well as muscle-soothing properties

2 tablespoon oatmeal to soften the water

To make an herbal bath you can do any of the following:

 toss a tea bag directly into the bath water

 OR

use a piece of muslin cloth which are filled with herbs and tied. These can be attached to the faucet so that the running water goes through them

OR

placed in the tub.

***you can use the latter method with the linden bath blend****

RECIPE SOURCE: Secrets of the Spa



beauty tip #6 GINGER & LEMONGRASS DETOXIFICATION AND REJUVENATION WRAP

GINGER



LEMON GRASS

This two ingredients are very easy to find at any store, most especially the asian store. Lemongrass has an antiseptic properties while ginger has a cleansing effect. Ginger, is cultivated in the Southeast Asia 2,500 years ago. Its medicinal property is known to rid the body of flu-like symptom, colds and respiratory ailments. This wrap, given the time, is particularly an ideal morning ritual. The smell of lemongrass will uplift and rejuvenate your mood! And not to mention, lemon grass and ginger are great for chicken soup too!

RECIPE

1 cup fresh lemongrass, chopped (or 1/2 cup dried)

1 3-inch long piece of ginger root (grated or minced)

1 large boiling pot

1 cotton or linen sheet or shower curtain liner

1 or 2 blankets

Place lemongrass and grated ginger root in a large pot and fill with water. bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heata nd let it sit for another 5 minutes. With a strainer, scoop out as many ginger and lemon grass as possible. Place the sheet strips in the pot one at a time as you use them, and wring out excess water. Start by snugly wrapping the strips around legs, then arms, and finish with the torso. Tuck the ends of the strip under a wrapped area nearby so as to ensure a snug fit. Wrap yourself in the plastic sheet or shower curtain liner and relax in a lounge chair or bed. Cover yourself with blankets for warmth. After 15 minutes, remove sheet strips and shower.

RECIPE SOURCE: Secrets of the Spa

Again, if you find this time consuming, experiment. Make a warm bath instead. I think, as long as you have the right ingredient, you will get the same effect.



beauty tip #5 REMINERALIZING SEAWEED WRAP

powdered seaweed

dried seaweed



fresh seaweed

In this recipe, your are given 3 choices of seaweed that you can use, whichever is available in your area. Seaweed wraps are beneficial as a quick way to remineralized the body and repelnish it with nutrients, like potassium,magnesium, calcium, copper, vitamins and amino acids. In fact, it is recommended to eat seaweed at least once a week, to get those nutrients that we lost on a daily basis. And i do! i love fresh or dried seaweed. Our blood's molecular structure is similar to sea water, thereby enabling nutrients from seawater to easily filter through the pores of the skin and directly into the blood stream. You may not know this, but some popular seaweed like the kelp is used for cosmetics and healing purposes. Some of  us may not like seaweed at all, but it's worth the try for good health sake!

RECIPE

8 ounces dried or powdered seaweed and enough water to make a paste

OR

approximately 3 ounces of fresh seaweed

mylar or plastic sheet

1 blanket

space heater(optional)

Place a blanket at the bottom of the bathtub and set Mylar or plastic sheet on top. Set the space heater nearby and turn it on. While sitting on the sheet, cover yourself with the seaweed paste or the fresh seaweed and then wrap yourself with the plastic sheet and blanket. Relax for 20 minutes. Slowly unwrap yourself and remove blanket and sheet from tub. Fill the tub with warm water and relax for 10 minutes. After the treatment, pat skin dry and moisturize.

recipe source: Secrets of the Spa



beauty tip #4 CHAMOMILE, LAVENDER & VALERIAN RELAXATION WRAP



Good day everyone! i would like to say thank you to all of you for leaving a comment on my blog. It's been a while since i posted my 3rd beauty tip. I was out of town with my family and got so busy. Anyway, i am back again and so today and on the following days my posts will be all about body wraps. Todays body wrap is excellent for soothing and rerlaxing your muscles. With the use of lavender, known for its soothing property and valerian, which was traditionally used in ancient rome as a mild sedative. Today, it is used as a mild sleep aid and anxiety reliever. Also chamomile known for it's realxing property as well. This wrap is perfect after a stressful day, and it is best to shower the next day, after the wrap, to prolong the effects of moist heat. And if you are having trouble finding fresh herb, always ask your local health food stores. They usually have a selection of dried herbs. Now, if you find the steps too tiring to follow, try experimenting, instead of wrapping your body, maybe make this a warm bath, i guess it will still give you the same relaxing effect on your body.

HAVE FUN!

RECIPE:

3 cups fresh herbs:

1 cup chamomile, chopped

1 cup valerian root chopped

1 cup lavender, crushed

OR

1 1/2 cups dried herbs:

1/2 cup dried chamomile

1/2 cup dried valerian root

1/2 cup dried lavender

1 cotton or linen sheet cut into 3-inch-wide strips

1 large pot for boiling (like a spaghetti or lobster pot)

1 plastic sheet or shower curtain liner

First, select your relaxation spot(bed,lounge,chair or bathtub) and place the plastic sheet or shower curtain on it. Set up the space heater next to it and turn it on. Set blankets nearby. Place herb in po and fill with water. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes/ With a strainer, scoop out from the water as many herbs as possible. Place sheet stips in pot and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove strips from the pot one at a time as you use them, and wring out excess water. Start by snugly wrapping the strips around legs, then arms,and finish with the torso. Tuck the ends of the strips under a wrapped area nearby sp as to insurea snug fit. Lay yourself on the plastic sheet or shower curtain, wrap yourself in it, and cover your body with blankets. Relax for 10 minutes, then slowly remove strips. Roll into bed.

RECIPE SOURCE: Secrets of the Spa

beauty tip #3 EXFOLIATING SEA SALT & APRICOT KERNEL OIL Body Scrub

Good day!!!  I hope that you have tried at least one of the body scrub on my blog. Today, Body scrub #3 is about exfoliating, increasing blood circulation, stimulating the lymph production to eliminate toxins, while trigerring the skin's own oil. This recipe is again, from the book Secrets of the Spa. So, take your time today,  perhaps ask a partner or a friend to do a at home spa with you, do a little R&R and be refreshed when you come back to work on monday, while I, as a matter of  fact will be doing some R&R with my family and relatives not in my house doing a spa, but up in the mountains enjoying the cool breeze and the night star, away from the hustle and bustle of the city life....See ya!

                                                                           RECIPE

                                                                  2 cups coarse salt

                                                             1/4 cup apricot kernel oil

                                                                  body-scrub tool

      Make a paste out of the sea salt and apricot kernel oil in a bowl. While standing in the bathtub, shower, or on a towel with a space heater nearby, place a handful of the mixture on your body (starting with the legs, then the arms, the torso and the back) and begin spreading in a smooth, cicular motion.

      It is important to keep palms of hands and the fingers flat against the surface of the skin while applying firm but not abrasive pressure to the skin. The point of the rub is to affect the surface of the skin, not the underlying tissues. After the entire body has been scrubbed and exfoliated, gently shower or rinse off the mixture using a sponge or loofah and a mild bath wash. Pat dry.

beauty tip #2 OATMEAL, ALMOND & AVOCADO body scrub

Thanks to all, for leaving your sweet messeges on my blog. Today i am going to share another body scrub recipe from the book Secret of the Spas. this particular scrub is ideal for irritated, tired and dry skin.

OATMEAL - rich in vitamin E (anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, skin soothing)
ALMONDS - natural emollient and when ground, effective exfoliant
AVOCADO - contains vitamin A, D and E which possesses collagen-rebuilding properties

                                                                      RECIPE

                                                                 1/2 cup almonds
                                                               1 cup dry oatmeal
                                              1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and mashed

                 Place almonds in a blender or coffee grinder and grind until coarse and not too fine.
  Mix almonds and oatmeal and place in glove or muslin mitt. Scoop up avocado and rub on body    with  mitt. rinse off with warm water pat dry and moisturize.


NOTE: to avoid clogging your drain, make a small pouch or bag out of muslin cloth and fill it with dry oatmeal and grated almond.


HAVE A FUN AND RELAXING WEEKEND......

beauty tip #1 BODY SCRUB for dry and flaky skin

REVITALIZING SEA SALT & ROSEMARY OIL SCRUB
Secret of the SPA by Catherine Bardey

This is ideal for dry and flaky skin. Sea salt exfoliates the skin's; the invigorating effects of rosemary will increase blood flow

                                                                     RECIPE

                                                            1/2 coarse sea salt
                                                          1/4 cup rosemary oil
                                                             body-scrub tool

                Dip the body-scrub tool in a bit of oil, then dip i in the coarse salt. Rub over skin in a circular motion, paying attention to rough spots like the knees, elbows and heels. rinse off with warm water, pat dry and moisturize.


note: rosemary oil are available at health food stores


A few years back, i bought a book about do-it-yourself beauty regimen. It was on sale at Barnes & Noble so i thought i 'd buy it; #1 for the good price, #2 for when i feel like pampering myself whenever i can or have the "time" to do it. And so, just like some of my books, they all end up in my little bookcase. But anyway, i was cleaning and dusting the other day, i then spotted this old book of mine called " secrets of the spa". I thought this would be a great book to share on my blog. The book is by Catherine Bardey, and it features a head to toe recipes to pamper yourself at home. From rubs, wraps, masks scrubs, lotions to potions! i would be posting a lot of these home beauty recipes on my blog. I do hope that you too, will be able to set aside a time for yourself, and try these potions for yourself and let me know what you think! Have a fun and relaxing day to all!!!