Healing Strands

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint is used in a lot of things, from the gum you chew to freshen your breath to the toothpaste you use to clean your teeth. Peppermint oil is a common smell, that almost everybody could name something with peppermint in it!

Peppermint essential oil is used extensively in not only the food industry but also in perfumery and in aromatherapy. It has a penetrating grassy-minty, sometimes camphoraceous odour that most people associate with chewing gum or toothpaste. But did you know it can also be used to treat a range of ailments including:

• headaches
• nausea
• mental fatigue
• shock

Its therapeutic properties:

• make it a great stimulant if you need a clear head
• means blending it with eucalyptus or marjoram makes it a good massage oil for sore, aching muscles

It also makes a fantastic tasting lip balm too!

Below are some suggested uses for Peppermint essential oil:

• Burn 2-3 drops in an oil burner to create a refreshing, uplifting atmosphere or blend 1 drop of peppermint with 3 drop of lemon for a clean, headclearing atmosphere.
• Blend 6 drops of marjoram with 2 drops of eucalyptus and 2 drops of peppermint and add to 25ml of carrier oil for an effective muscle relief massage oil.

GRAPEFRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL (Citrus paradisi)

Grapefruit essential oil has a beautiful fresh, sweet citrus scent that is reminiscent of the fruit itself. It is historically used as a food flavouring and fragrance in soaps but can also be used in personal care products. I love grapefruit essential oil not only for its therapeutic properties such as being an astringent, antiseptic and anti-depressant, but also for its scent. Sweet yet with a tangy twist than orange essential oil it's my go-to oil when I want that sweet orange-like scent but with a bit of a kick. It blends well with a lot of oils including lemon, palmarosa, bergamot, lavender, geranium, rosemary as well as most spice oils. In any blend, it rounds out the scent very nicely, giving it a light, refreshing twist.

Grapefruit essential oil has many uses in aromatherapy including stress and nervous exhaustion, oily skin, fluid retention and even jet lag. it is said to enhance emotional balance, poitive energy, confidence, vitality and creativity and self-empowerment.

Below are some suggested uses for Grapefruit essential oil:

• Burn 2-3 drops in an oil burner to create a refreshing, uplifting atmosphere or blend 2 drops of grapefruit with 2 drops of black pepper and 2 drops of ylang ylang for a more exotic fragrance.
• Add 20-25 drops to 50 ml of vegetable/ carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond or apricot kernel) for a refreshing and invigorating body oil.
• Blend 7 drops of grapefruit with 3 drops of sandalwood and 2 drops of lavender and add to 25ml of carrier oil for a soothing yet uplifting massage oil.

Whether we like it or not, stress is part of daily life. But just because it's there doesn't mean we can't keep it at managable levels. Most of us have our own coping methods that work well for them, but some of us start to start to panic at the mere mention of the word! Work, family life, study whatever it is in your life that makes you start to feel under pressure and in turn feel run-down, over-stretched or over whelmed, there is something you can do about it. And it doesn't invlove taking a pill or shirking all those niggling little everyday things that take up your precious time and energy.

Here are 5 easy, natural things you can do when life starts to get you down:

1. Yoga: a gentle exercise system which is said to create a union between the body, mind and spirit, thereby bringing balance to the person practicing. On the physical level, yoga relaxes muscles, improves suppleness, fitness and function; it then relaxes the mind and teaches us how to deal with stress, destructive emotions and habits.
2. Meditation and Breathing exercises: Being aware of you breath forces you into the present moment - the key to all inner transformation. - Eckhart Tolle. These work quicly and can be done anywhere. Deep breathing exygenates the blood, relaxes muscles and quietens the mind. Begin by focussing your awareness on your breath. Notice how your breathing sounds, how and where you feel it in the body. Gradually deepen your breathing, drawing the air into your belly, allowing it to expand. Continue this inhalation into the ribcage and upper chest. As you begin to exhale, relax the ches, ribcage and finally the belly. Continue in this fashion, trying to draw deeper and deeper breaths each time. Practicing this technique each day will help keep your mind clear and your body more relaxed. Meditation: can be seen as a form of mind control, not by an outside force, but by ourselves and can give us feelings of inner calm and peace. If practice regulary, medition can give rise to profound changes in our daily lives an dhow we view the world.
3. Physical Activity: exercise helps to reduce stress by helping the body to release endorphins - "feel-good" hormones - and lower cortisol levels which contribute to stress levels. It also helps to refocus your attention on something other than what's bothering you. A simple walk through the park can be as helpful as a trip to the gym to pump some weights!
4. Warm Bath: having a warm bath is an easy way to fight stress. The warm water helps to ease tight and overworked muscles, and the flow to water on the skin can feel like the washing away of your problems. Enhance the experience by reading a favourite book, listening to some soothing music, buring scented candles or adding some bubble just for the fun of it! The different ways of enjoying your bath are half the fun!
5. Massage Therapy: is an easy and pleasant coping strategy that requires nothing more from you than to "let go" and receive. Massage provides immediate relief with soothing sensory input that refocuses your attention on the here and now, thus interrupting your cycle of mental agitation.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage is designed to stimulate the lymphatic system in order to drain the build up of waste fluid from the cells of the body. it is also a well known treatment for cellulite.

The lymph system is responsible for regulating the immune system and removing toxins and built up waste from the body. An obstruction in the system results in a build up of fluid and toxins leading to localised swelling, fatigue and possible systemic nausea. Cellulite prone areas such as thighs, stomach and bottom are common zones where this can occur.

Cellulite causes a lack of circulation which is necessary for healthy tissue. This lack of circulation leads to changes in the tissues in the affected areas and results in the dimpling, or "orange peel" effect that is often associated with cellulite affected areas.

MLD helps to improve the circulation of the lymph, which helps to keep the affected tissues healthy. The result is a reduction in the appearance of the cellulite.

MLD can also help with weight loss by ridding the body of dead and unwanted waste. This works to increase weight loss through 2 ways: through the loss of dead cells massaged out through the treatment and through increasing the efficacy of the lymphatic system, allowing the body to perform its elimination processes without undue delay. People who have a sluggish lymphatic system often have a sluggish metabolism, preventing them from losing weight.

The Benefits of Regular Massage

How often do you lie down in a warm room with a blanket and soft music? Regular massage is part of a good self-care program, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. The benefits of massage are cumulative and are enhanced by receiving on a regular basis, such as weekly, twice a month or monthly - as often as the schedule and budget allow. Here are some "feel-good" reasons for having a massage on a regular basis:

Say Goodbye to Pain!
It's not clear why, but several studies show massage reduces levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, while boosting the "feel-good" hormones seratonin and dopamine. Those changes slow your heart rate, reduce blood pressure and block your nervous system's pain receptors.

The Return of Brain Power!
The Touch Research Institute study that connected massage to sleep also found that a 15-minute chair massage boosted alertness. Tests also show that brain-wave activity stimulated by massage is linked to improved attention.

Blues? What Blues?
Massage is a "feel-good" therapy. The simple act of touch can be a very powerful thing. When we hurt we can often make ourselves feel better by getting a hug from a loved one. Lidewise, a massage should convey a comforting touch. Physiologically, massage may lower cortisol and increase seratonine and dopamine in your system leading to less stress, anxiety and depression.

Stress Be Gone!
Life is becoming busier and more stressful, so what are you doing to keep your stress at manageavle levels? It is estimated that 75% of all illness is related to stress and tension. Something as simple as regular massage can help reduce that stress. Massage therapy not helps reduce stress but is also delivers results FAST! it can have dramatic results in as little as an hour.

So the next time you find yourself feeling run-down, stressed or tired, think of booking in for a massage rather than taking a pill. In the long run, your body will thank you for it! 

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using and blending essential oils – concentrated plant extracts with healing properties. Aromatherapy massage is an alternative and complementary therapy that uses essential oils to promote healing and enhance physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This holistic treatment affects some of our most powerful senses – touch and smell. The therapist will use a combination of cold pressed vegetable oils and top quality, pure essential oils to create a beautiful smelling, highly therapeutic, individualised massage oil.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils differ from vegetable oils in that they are highly volatile and odorous. They are extracted, in various ways, from all different parts of the plant – leaves, flowers, twigs, bark, wood, roots, and resin. Some plants even produce different oils from different parts of the same plant e.g. we get neroli oil from the petals, petitgrain from the leaves and bitter orange from the peel of the fruit, all from the bitter orange tree (not to be confused with sweet orange). For this reason it is important for the user of essential oils to be aware of the part of the plant the oil was extracted from so that they know the differences in the therapeutic effect of the different oils. It is also a good idea to be aware of the method of extractions of the oil as some types of extraction methods produce inferior oils compared to other methods.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage is different from a normal relaxation massage in that it utilises certain techniques to compliment the oils being used. At Healing Strands, an aromatherapy massage uses techniques such as reflexology, lymphatic drainage, acupressure and traditional Swedish movements to create a totally unique massage experience. For this reason, our aromatherapy massage is extremely gentle and relaxing to both mind and body and because of the use of aromatic essential oils, the massage becomes a multi-sensorial experience. Depending on the oils chosen, it can leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed, uplifted, alert, energised or even just plain happy! Aromatherapy massage can be used in more ways than just to feel happy.

Some of the most common benefits an aromatherapy massage can have are:

• induced sense of relaxation & rejuvenation

• relaxes tight muscles

• reduces stress & tension

• encourages natural sleep

• stimulates blood circulation and boosts the immune system

• relieves pain

• enhances mood and encourages a sense of wellbeing

The Massage

 

Every individual oil is different and while each essential oil has a set of specific properties, they interact as differently with each other as they do with you as individuals. Based on your unique circumstances, a personalised blend of essential oils is created and then applied to your body through a specialised massage routine which includes pressure points, reflexology, lymphatic drainage and Swedish massage techniques.

As the main purpose of the massage is for the oils to be applied to the skin so they can work internally, you may find that the pressure used is lighter than you are used to. The massage is designed to help you relax, so make the most of it!

The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of a network of vessels, similar to blood vessels, that carry a clear liquid called lymph. It consists of lymph vessels, lymph nodes/ glands, and organs such as the spleen, thymus, tonsils and adenoids. It has 4 main jobs in the body:

1. Draining fluid into the bloodstream - As the blood circulates, fluid leaks out from the blood vessels into the body tissues. This fluid is important because it carries food to the cells and waste products back to the bloodstream. The leaked fluid drains into the lymph vessels. It is carried through the lymph vessels to the base of the neck where it is emptied back into the bloodstream. This circulation of fluid through the body goes on all the time.

2. Filtering lymph - The lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid as it passes through. White blood cells attack any bacteria or viruses they find in the lymph as it flows through the lymph nodes. If cancer cells break away from a tumour, they often become stuck in the nearest lymph nodes. This is why doctors check the lymph nodes first when they are working out how far a cancer has grown or spread.

3. Filtering the blood - This is the job of the spleen. It filters the blood to take out all the old worn out red blood cells and then destroys them. They are replaced by new red blood cells that are made in the bone marrow. The spleen also filters out bacteria, viruses and other foreign particles found in the blood. White blood cells in the spleen attack bacteria and viruses as they pass through.

4. Fighting infection - When people say "I'm not well, my glands are up" they are really saying they have swollen lymph  nodes because they have an infection. The lymphatic system helps fight infection in many ways such as:

• Helping to make special white blood cells (lymphocytes) that produce antibodies

• Having other blood cells called macrophages inside the lymph nodes which swallow up and kill any foreign particles, for example germs.

This is where Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Massage comes in. A properly functioning lymph system will maintain a healthy immune system and in turn allow us to feel healthier and enjoy life more. Manual lymph drainage massage helps to reduce your stress as well as instil a feeling of peace and relaxation. It is a pain free treatment which has benefits like:

• improved immune system (reduce frequency and duration of colds/flu)

• increased energy

• recover from injury faster

• clearer skin

• possible weight loss

• improved digestion

• reduced stress

• better sleep

When you think of it, it can be seen as a top-to-toe rejuvenating make-over, not just a way to boost your immunity. Why not try it for yourself today! Call 086 210 2791 today to find out how manual lymphatic drainage can benefit you! You body will thank you for it!

Everyone knows how good a massage feels. Most of the time when we get one it's because we have tension in the neck or tight shoulder muscles. But what about our face? We always seem to forget this part of the body, yet it needs just as much love and attention as the rest of the body, perhaps even more as it is a more visible part.

"But what can I do for my face?" you ask? Botox? Implants? What if there was a more natural way?

Have you ever tried a Japanese Silk Facial Massage? If not, you should. This therapy is a treat! Using a combination of specific facial pressure points with muscle conditioning massage techniques, it is an effective, natural treatment to enhance the condition of the skin and minimize the aging process.

• a reduction in the apperance of wrinkles and expression lines
• complexion and skin tone improve
• bagginess, sagginess and puffiness are reduced
• headaches, pain and tension are relieved
• aids lymphatic drainage, is detoxifying
• calms entire nervous system, relieving stress symptoms and promoting relaxation and well-being.
• A natural facelift!

But this is more than just a massage. It incorporates the best of a regular facial into a specialized massage. The treatment begins with a double cleanse, using a natural, handmade cream cleanser to clean and prep the skin for the massage. This is followed by a massage oil applied to the face and neck. Only top quality, natural, unscented jojoba oil is used, as this is the closest to the natural oils found in the skin. The massage includes the neck and shoulders to release tension and relax the head, neck and face. After the massage, a rich, silk based natural moisturising cream is applied, leaving the skin feeling soft and silky smooth.

This unique facial therapy is like a non-surgical face lift. Eastern principles view that beauty is more than just skin deep and along with Japanese tradition, it is used as a preventative therapeutic treatment and aims to bring about balance in the body.