Setting the scene
Dreaming of a fragrant spa journey to unwind and indulge yourselves? Unfortunately, with Covid 19, this has either been postponed or near impossible to achieve, therefore throughout these trying times, why not try creating your own simple home spa?
Your room becomes your inner sanctum — a place to unwind, rejuvenate and awaken the senses. Surround yourself with the comforts found in a spa to melt your troubles away.
Setting the scene
Essential oils,
The use of essential oils in the home can help to create an emotionally and physically healthy environment as they possess the ability to perfume; deodorise; soothe or stimulate; detox and bring about balance to all who safely harness their power. The following are the many ways they can be used in the home safely for a myriad of imbalances, moods and emotions.
The diffuser:
How to safely use: For a sleep and anxiety remedy, I suggest diffusing three to four drops of Lavender or Bergamot or a combination of the two in an aroma diffuser in the bed room, at least one hour prior to retiring to bed, taking a bath or shower. Essential oil molecules will permeate the air and be inhaled as you undress and prepare for sleep or to bathe, reaching the blood stream and working its magic bringing calm and serenity to an anxious and chattering mind. To boost energy, I suggest diffusing three to four drops of Lemon, Lime or Lemon grass and to balance the emotions, add three to four drops or a combination of Himalayan Geranium, Himalayan Cedarwood or Ylang Ylang
If a diffuser is unavailable, create your own by filling a ceramic bowl with hot water and adding three to four drops of one or a combination of oils. To boost energy levels, diffuse zesty citrus oils of orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime, to relax diffuse, Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood or Bergamot. Add a maximum of 3-4 drops of your chosen oil or a blend of three of them to a basin of hot water, lean over the bowel, covering the head with a towel, and inhale deeply several times. Caution do not use this method if suffering from Asthma and keep hot water out of reach of children and animals.
For immediate effect, sprinkle 2 to 3 drops of lavender to calm, Himalayan Geranium to balance or Lemon to uplift, onto a tissue. Inhale three times repeat when necessary.
Place a few drops of Lavender or Bergamot essential oil on the pillow at night or anytime for that matter to aid sleep and reduce anxiety.
Leave a tissue soaked with an essential oil of choice in a dish open to the elements, Lemon Grass to invigorate, Vetiver to calm and Geranium to balance.
Place a tissue in the grill of the air conditioner and the air-conditioner will distribute the fresh essences all over the room. Lemon to uplift, Geranium to balance and Lavender to calm.
Take a tub of talcum powder, add five to ten drops of essential oil to it shake and then sprinkle it onto your carpet. Let it rest for half an hour then vacuum it out. The carpet will smell out of this world.
Fragrant cleaning of kitchen surfaces with essential oils can also make the room smell out of this world. Mix a few drops of lemon, lemon grass or orange into 10 ml of water either spray onto the surface, immediately wipe the surface clean.
Not so powerful however still effective, add 10 drops of lavender, Bergamot, Lemon, Orange or Vetiver to potpourri that has lost its scent? Or create your own potpourri by adding the above essential oils or a blend of them to dried leaves from the garden, mix together in a container, cover tightly and store for several days to allow the potpourri material to absorb the essential oils then enjoy the relaxing effects of its lingering odour. Lemon and Vetiver are a dreamy blend.
If essential oils are in short supply, grate some of the zest off either an orange, lime or Lemon in the kitchen or in the living room. The whole house will smell fresh, clean and uplifting.
For the bathroom, dampen a cotton swab with your favourite essential oil, perfume or cologne and swab the inside of a toilet paper roll. Each time the toilet paper is rolled, a fragrant aroma will fill the room.
Candles, if candles are made from plant wax and not toxic paraffin, yes, lighting a candle infused with pure essential oils have a therapeutic effect on the being. To bring about balance, choose either Lavender, Vetiver, Himalayan Geranium, Himalayan Cedarwood, Coriander or Frankincense candles. Always make sure that candles are extinguished after use.
Herbal Teas, Drink herbal fragrant natural teas such as Chamomile, Peppermint, Tulsi, Jasmine, Rose, Lemon, Lemon Grass to enhance your fragrant journey.
Plush towels and cotton sheets, Choose the colour of your sheets and towels as colour has a marked effect on our wellbeing, Blue- Harmony and Peace, Violet-Royal and sensitivity, Red- Warmth and vitality, Orange-Invigorating and warmth, Yellow- Joyful and uplifting, Green-Nature and hope. Spray towels with rose water before use.
Robe and slippers. Slip into a thick good quality bath robe in your favourite colour and slippers to give that feeling of being enveloped and cocooned in luxury, sprayed beforehand with your favourite perfume or Rose water.
Eye Pillows, Place Lavender pillows under your head at night or when taking a rest or a power nap.
Sun Bath, Try sitting in a sunbathed and warmed room, top up your vitamin D, at the same time see how great it feels
Music, play your favourite music, making sure it has a running time of up to 60 minutes, so your tranquil times are not disturbed. Play music that incorporates the natural sounds of birds, leaves rustling, babbling brooks, waves, whales singing or falling rain. Music is very therapeutic, however if you prefer, silence too is important for physical and emotional health, sit silently in a room of your personal choice and let your mind relax.
Loofah and natural sponge, used with shower gel, loofahs are great for exfoliating dead skin. Softer sponges (nice for working up a rich lather) are better for delicate areas or more frequent use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Add one drop of Lavender to calm, Geranium to Balance and Cedarwood to uplift.
Begin the journey by turning off the TV, shutting down the computer and switching of the mobile, do not cheat by leaving the mobile by your side, as it will surely ring just as your mind has cleared itself of clutter and is about to embark on a journey of peace and tranquillity. Think positive! Concentrate your mind on a pleasant experience rather than a negative one. Imagine you are laid on a sunny beach in Bali rather than confined to the four walls of your home or sailing on clear blue seas on a luxury yacht around the Caribbean. It is all in the mind, think positive and you will be positive. Concentrate your efforts on yourself, for a change and allow at least two hours of uninterrupted peace to thoroughly unwind in your homemade spa.
Begin the fragrant journey by turning the shower into a steam room. Use a bowl of warm water positioned safely in the corner of the shower, containing four to five drops of a chosen essential oil such as, Lemon, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot or Geranium into the corners of the shower floor, close the door and turn the water on to a very hot temperature, at full force. After about five minutes, change the water to a cooler setting and step into the shower. Simply place a small stool or chair if you have the space or simply stand in the steam, breathing slowly, inhaling the aromatic essential oil molecules. After 5 mins have a blast of cool water over your body and then repeat the procedure 5 times.
Followed up by applying a homemade body scrub using the following: 2/3 cup ground Almond nuts or seeds, 1/3 cup oatmeal, brown rice flour, or whole wheat flour enough liquid to make a paste (water, yoghurt, milk or aloe Vera gel) Combine the dry ingredients in a blender until they are reduced to a coarse meal. Pour the meal into a glass jar with a screw top, if none of the above ingredients take a jar full of Himalayan salt, add almond oil and five drops of your chose essential oil fragrance. When you wish to have a body scrub, scoop out about a fist full of the meal, and place it in a bowl. Stir in enough of the liquid to make a paste. Scoop up the paste with your hands or a washcloth and rub over your body from your feet to your neck; do not use this scrub on the face, as it is far too course. Store the glass jar with the meal in the fridge for the next scrub day.
After your steam, scrub and shower, step out and slip into your thick robe, those of you lucky enough to have a bathtub step immediately into a pre drawn bath adding add five to six drops of essential oils of your choice blended in a tablespoon of almond oil or fill the bath with rose petals if available. Allow at least thirty minutes in the bath and focus on deep relaxation during this unhurried, hot soak. Post bath, pat yourself dry with a thick towel and apply a warmed luxury body moisturiser mixed with rose petals.
While in the bath apply a homemade cucumber mask, make as follows: 1 tbsp of instant non-fat milk powder, 1/2 peeled cucumber, 1 tsp plain yoghurt, on drop of Himalayan Geranium and one drop of Lavender essential oil. Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth. Apply to face and neck (avoiding eye area) cover the paste and entire face with freshly cut cucumber to complete the mask, leave on for 15-20 mins, then rinse off and pat dry.
Get dressed and make a refreshing, healthy meal or snack such as a big salad with plenty of raw vegetables or pieces of fresh fruit. These will help keep you fresh light hydrated and very regular.
Your fragrant home spa journey does not have to revolve entirely around the bathroom you can sit in a comfortable chair, on your day bed, living or TV room and soak your feet in a footbath. The footbath bowl can be simple or elaborate. Using a mixture of pure essential oils and pre bought herbal tea bags of Mint, Peppermint, Orange, Tulsi, Lemon, Peach, Cardamom, Ginger or Green Tea, bring water to the boil add three tea bags of your chosen herb and infuse for up to 10 minutes stirring at times. Pour into the footbath, lay back and enjoy the therapeutic effects and subtle fragrances of the oils and the herbal tea. To enhance the soak place one drop of a matching essential oil to the foot bath the same essential oil into the water and enjoy. (Remember to use a cap full of vegetable oil disperse one drop of chosen essential oil in before applying to the water)
The final touches to any fragment spa journey must be the nails. All scrubbed, moisturized and dried off ready for the ultimate, file and polish. To file your nails, use a soft nail file, (not a metal one as they are too rough and can damage the nail) and work from one side of the nail to the other. Finish with a flurry, ad a clear or coloured nail polish of your choice.
Caution:
When Essential oils are used correctly, they will assist in bringing balance, energy and calm to our minds, bodies and souls. When essential oils are misused, they can have the opposite effect. At all times adhere to the above instruction of use and dilutions. For your safety just think essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin, there are exceptions, however as beginners just stick to the rule, do not apply directly to the skin, always dilute. Never take any essential oil internally, do not use on children under 16 or persons with asthma. Use candles with caution and keep hot water away from children and animals.
Enjoy your fragrant Journey
Spa Wallah Colin Gary Hall