Herbal body care

Total body care is a necessary regimen. It isn’t enough to take care of the face; the rest of the skin deserves some pampering too. There are a number of herbs which you can use for herbal body care. The body is composed largely of the skin organ. In order to take care of the boy, you need to take care of the skin. The herbal body care applied will essentially provide protection for the skin too.

Herbal body care for dry skin includes using body lotions, scrubs and bath oils. Refrain from using soap since it could dry your skin even more. For dry skin itches, add quarter-cup vinegar to bath. The herbs that could promote oil production and herbal body care in dry skin are: chamomile, fennel, rose, geranium, lavender, palmarosa, sandalwood and small amounts peppermint and rosemary. Frankincense, jasmine, neroli and rose although expensive are also beneficial.

Herbal body care for oily skin involves using herb that normalize overactive oil glands which include herbs such as sage, lemongrass, basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, lemon, yarrow and ylang-ylang. Bathing could also help oily skin if used with Aromatic Bath Salts or Aromatic Batch Vinegar. Avoid high heat in saunas since it encourages skin to become oilier. Bath salts make bath water feel silky, remove body oils, perspiration and soften the skin.

Herbal body care for sun-damaged skin involves PABA (part of the B-complex vitamins) and cinoxate (cinanamic acid from cinnamon). These two herbal body cares are commonly used ingredients in sunscreens. Sesame oil is also believed to decrease the impact of the sun’s burning rays by 30 per cent. Olive, coconut, peanut oils and aloe vera are herbal body cares that block out 20 per cent of the rays. Using three to six percent dilution of extract of helichrysum also called immortelle is also an effective herbal body care that serves as sunscreen. Carrot-seed essential oil is very helpful to sun-damaged skin and is used to treat pre-cancerous conditions. The beta-carotene found in this oil is also effective herbal body care used in protecting against skin cancer induced by ultraviolet rays. The South American herb pau d’arco is also an effective herbal body care that is an antioxidant that helps treat skin cancer.

Do not use bergamot if you go out into the sun. This herb contains phototoxic compound called bergaptene which skin’s sensitivity to light and can cause skin discoloration or rashes.

Herbal body wraps

Herbal body wraps are used to produce both therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. This is done by cleansing the body of toxins and reducing several inches. Herbal body wraps are good for anyone who wants to improve, tone and tighten the skin. People with loose skin due to weight loss or pregnancy can especially benefit from it. Those who undergo joint pain and inflammation can benefit from the effects of herbal body wraps.

Simple herbal body wraps are made up of clay and some natural sea salt. To make these herbal body wraps more complex you can add more ingredients such as herbs and not more than 2 tablespoons of essential oil.

Essential oils that you could use for herbal body wraps include: lavender, sage, lemon, sandalwood, lemongrass, rosemary, grapefruit and olive oil. Herbs that can be added to herbal body wraps include: alfalfa leaf powder, ground basil, chamomile flower powder, rose petal powder and rosehip powder.

Herbal body wrap recipe for clay body wrap include:
1 cup bentonite or green clay
¼ cup sea salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups water

To make the body wrap concoction, boil water and add sea salt until has dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Adjust the water to form a wet paste. Rub the mixture over the entire body and cover yourself with thin towels or a clean white sheet. Salons recommend that you use proper wrapping sheets in order to squeeze the tissues together for better results. Then lay in the tub for 45 minutes to one hour.

Herbal body wrap are considered messy. So, the best place to do herbal body wraps is in the bath tub. Better bring a portable television or listen to your favorite tunes while laying on the tub for 45 minutes to one hour. Take a warm shower before you apply the herbal body wraps in order to open the skin pores. Drink plenty of water before and after the herbal body wrap to flush out toxins. You can use an inexpensive thermal blanket to keep warm. And finally, avoid caffeine, sugar, fried fatty foods, soda drinks and alcohol for the next 48 hours.

Another way to draw out toxins from the body is to take a hot Epsom salt bath. Hot water draws out toxins out of the body and as the water cools it pulls of the toxins from the skin. When magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin while bathing, it draws the toxins in the body, reduce swelling and relax muscles. Do not take hot baths if you have high blood pressure, heart, diabetes or kidney problems.

Epsom salt detox bath recipe:
1 cup Epsom salts
1 handful sea salt
2 tbsps. bath oil

Pour the above in the bath tub as the water is filling.