IT is no secret that we look good when we feel good. And we feel good when we look good. For centuries, ancient women have practiced this holistic approach to beauty and health. They make facials from plants and minerals. Foot baths, from flowers and soothing teas from a variety of herbs. They relax in herbal baths and meditate using natural fragrances. From sea-salt to lemon grass, they know how to reap the riches of Mother Nature to make themselves feel and look good- inside and out.
What better way is there to appreciate the harmony of health, beauty and the natural world than by transforming fresh foods into natural treatments.
Milk Bath
The tale of Queen Cleopatra and her milk baths is well known. Milk from a goat, sheep or cow makes the skin radically soft and pure to the touch. At home, you can pour fresh or powdered milk in with the bath water. For extra soft skin try natural yogurt or butter milk also in the bath.
Ocean bath
The ocean is a fabulous way to rid the body of toxins, ease aches and pains, clear up unsightly skin conditions, clear the lungs of impurities, reduces the negative effects of asthma as well as relaxes the body, mind and soul. I have found this to be one of the best overall beauty, health and relaxation treatment. After a swim in the ocean one can notice how glowing the skin appears. The benefit of sea salt is based on the premise that sea-water has practically the same chemical make-up as human plasma allowing the body to easily absorb its healing properties. In Tobago, we are very fortunate to be surrounded by this healing body of water. I strongly recommend, a swim in the ocean at least one time a week. Leave the salt on your body for at least half an hour after swimming. It feels wonderful when the ocean breeze dries your body. For those who have a sensitivity to the sun and salt, rinse immediately with tap water so that the salt will not dry the skin.
Aromatherapy bath
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes. Essential oils range from aromatherapy household cleaning products, personal beauty care and natural medicine treatments. The particles in essential oils come from distilling or extracting the different parts of plants including the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, resin and peels. Essential oil benefits come from their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These healing oils are rapidly growing in popularity because they act as natural medicine without any side-effects.
The bath is a perfect place to enjoy the sensual pleasures of aromatherapy oils. Simply drop one or a combination of essential oils into a warm water bath and feel your body drift into a peaceful and calm state, soothing the muscles and mind. Some of the oil’s properties are absorbed into the skin while the rest evaporate into the atmosphere for inhaling.
A few recommended bathtime blends
(Use up to ten drops of these essential oils either together or separately.)
For Calming – Camomile, Lavender, Rose
For Detoxifying – Ginger, Sage , Rosemary
For Passion – Ylang-Ylang, Geranium, Sandalwood
For Brain boosting – Grapefruit, Lemon, peppermint, Pine.
Here are some body masks that can be used on the body to eliminate cellulite, heal sunburnt skin, increase moisture to the skin, treat sensitive skin, soften skin and exfoliate skin.
Volcanic Clay Body Scrub for Cellulite: Sadly there is no quick fix for cellulite. Improved diet, drinking water, dry skin brushing, swimming, yoga and volcanic clay all help. Luckily, we are blessed with mineral-rich volcanic clay from our mini volcanos at Devil’s Wood Yard in Princess Town, Trinidad. The clay seep into the skin to break down fat cells that are situated there.
Ingredients: 2tbsp Clay, 2tbsp sea salt and some water (If the clay is not moist).
Steps: Mix ingredients together to make a light paste. Apply paste to the body. Once the paste is dry, rub the skin to remove it. Shower and massage with an essential oil. The best essential oils for cellulite are nutmeg and rose. Add a few drops to your favourite carrier oil or body cream and massage.
Cucumber Wrap for Sunburnt Skin: Feel the heat melt from your sunburnt body using cucumber and essential oils. Ingredients : 4 lbs cucumbers, plus skin and pips, whizzed in a blender, 2 drops lavender oil, 2 drops tea tree oil and 2 drops chamomile oil. (Cucumber alone can be used).
Steps: Cover your body with the cucumber mixed with the essential oils. Wrap the body in gauze or a cotton sheet and leave on for 30 minutes. Then rinse. The cucumber leaves the skin soft, so moisturizing afterwards is optional.
Coconut Body Glow for Sensitive Skin: For sensitive skin, try one of Nature’s treats: Freshly shredded young coconut (rich in nutrients but not over-abrasive).
Ingredients: Half young coconut freshly grated, ¼ tsp. tumeric powder, ½ lb. carrots, grated or blended, and 2tbsp. gelatin, already set.
Steps: Mix grated coconut with tumeric ( the latter is used for its cleansing properties and high vitamin C content). Gently rub the mixture all over your body. Leave for 5 minutes, then wipe off with a wet warm cloth. Next mix the carrot and gelatin and apply to the skin. ( This adds conditioning nutrients to the skin after the exfoliating process). Leave on for about 15 minutes then rinse with warm water.
Pawpaw Body Polish: Pawpaw contains certain enzymes, biochemically known as papin, which softens and revitalizes the skin when absorbed. Papin also settles the stomach as well as being perfect baby food. Ripe pawpaw around the eyes keeps away wrinkles. Because this fruit has mild exfoliating properties, the skin loses a layer and wrinkles appear less noticeable.
Ingredients: Pawpaw.
Steps: Use ready-to-eat rather than unripe pawpaw (as the acid is too strong), puree it and spread it everywhere, without rubbing. Allow your body to sweat by rolling yourself up in a plastic sheet or sauna for 20 minutes. Wash off and feel the results!
Honey treats: The humectant properties of honey nourish and moisturize the skin. Honey can be used on both the face and body. In Thailand, honey was traditionally used to cover open wounds in order to soften scar tissue and encourage the growth of new skin.
Ingredients: Honey
Steps: Cover the body with honey and sit in a steam room for 20 minutes. Then rinse. Such a gentle treatment can be used two or three times a week for normal to dry skin.
Have fun with these beauty and healing gifts from Mother Nature.
