September 15, 2008

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What is customary for tipping at a day spa?

aromatherapy spa
Fly girl asked:


Tomorrow I am going to a day spa and I have a package (total $350) that includes an aromatherapy facial, hot stone massage, sugar scrub, seaweed wrap, spa manicure and pedicure. It also includes lunch. I don’t know how many different people will be providing the services. What would be the appropriate tip(s) in this case?

Caffeinated Content

September 14, 2008

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Halting Your Headache using Acupuncture

There are a good deal of matters that we need to deal with on a regular basis which impacts our health. One very general thing that is felt by people in standard are Head Aches. As a matter of fact, some people have Head Aches so frequently that they simply learn to live with them and deal with the pain as best they can. Still others have Cephalalgia, or headaches, such as migraines, which are almost unbearable to ignore and become a life altering because of their intensity. As a result of these Head Aches, numerous people have chosen acupuncture in order to find some succor from their suffering.

There are in truth two different types of individuals who come to an acupuncturist in order to seek succor from their Cephalalgia, or headaches. There are those who are currently experiencing a Headache and those that are trying to get some kind of remedial care in order to hold back the next Cephalalgia, or headache from coming or to lessen its . These are two very contrasting scenarios and are treated differently from the acupuncturist’s standpoint. Depending on your scenario when you enter their clinic will make a difference in how treatment goes.

The reason why this is the case is because acupuncture is a way of moving energy throughout your body and it also can increase blood flow to certain areas. The way of treating an existing Headache differs somewhat from the treatment that will assist in blocking future Head Aches. Your doctor will be able to make that determination and to adjust the treatment accordingly.

numerous people try acupuncture treatments to stop their Head Aches but they are nervous whenever they enter into the office. Perhaps they have never experienced acupuncture earlier and are inquisitive about how it is going to feel or if it is dangerous. The fact is, acupuncture is one of the least hazardous medical treatments that exists. Although it is possible for problems to happen, it is very occasional and if the doctor is renowned and utilizes sterile means when inserting the needles there is little need for worry. The needles themselves seldom hurt whenever they enter into the skin and often make the individual feel either relaxed or even rejuvenated.

So, if you are experiencing Cephalalgia, or headaches, the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture may be able to assist you in dealing with them. By bringing your body back into balance, you may be able to overcome your Head Aches once and for all.

September 14, 2008

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Discover Herbs And Essential Oils

For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a variety of ways. These uses can be categorized into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the following article we shall examine each of these categories in order focusing upon medical uses and essential oils.

Throughout history there have been other uses of herbs which we will not be looking at here and these include them being used as currency (instead of money), as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask bad odors. Herbs originate from various parts of the globe and each race often had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be focusing on modern uses.

Religious Uses Of Herbs

Herbs are still used in various religions across the globe.  Many Christians will recognize myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a form of Basil, as it is grown by many and worshipped as a Goddess. In Pagan and Wiccan religions herbs are used extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Culinary Uses of Herbs

The leaves of various plants are used in cooking but there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, and a herb, such as sage, in that the latter are used in very small amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the blandest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

Medicinal Uses of Herbs

As well as being powerful in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being scientifically researched.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the concentrate extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually produced by the method known as distillation but some require a different method such as expression or solvent extraction.

Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most folk know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use about three drops in a bath when I suffer from achy legs. When my legs are very painful I massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep more soundly.

Herbs should be handled with care as some can be extremely toxic to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are pregnant as something that sounds safe can be problematic, such as peppermint oil which should be avoided completely in its dilute form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used but to avoid the risk of miscarriage I would avoid all herbs and essential oils unless I know for certain they are safe.

The awesome thing about herbs is that growing your own is as hard as buying a herb kit and placing it near a window. To discover more visit http://store.landscapinginfo4u.com/

September 13, 2008

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Essential Oils: Essential for Mind and Body

Doctors and beauty experts say that some amount of oil is essential to keep our skin healthy and glowing. Going further, oils can even influence our mental condition. No wonder then that essential oils are a rage today.

 

Essential oils are obtained from the seeds, peel, bark, flowers, roots, and leaves of various plants. Although this term is comparatively new, people have been using essential oils for physical and mental health since time immemorial. Ancient Ayurvedic texts from India report the use of such oils to treat various aches and pains and induce relaxation of mind and body. Today, apart from Ayurveda, essential oils are used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, perfumery, and incense. They are also used to impart flavor to certain dishes and to add fragrance to domestic cleaning products.  

 

Essential oils are concentrated liquids, and they have the essence of the plant from which they are derived. Its not that all parts of a plant yield essential oil, for example, orange peel, cedar wood, almond seed, and clove flower are the respective parts of the plants that are used to obtain oil.      

 

As essential oils are marketed in concentrated forms, they should not be applied undiluted on the skin. They are diluted with the help of carrier oils like olive or hazelnut by qualified and experienced aroma-therapists, so avoid mixing and matching oils on your own at home! Use of undiluted essential oil or the wrong mix can trigger severe allergic reactions. For the same reason, never allow kids to handle essential oils without adult supervision. As essential oils smell really nice, kids may have the tendency to consume them. So, if you keep these oils at home, store them in a locked cabinet and out of children’s reach.    

 

Before your aromatherapy session, request a patch test with the recommended essential oil. This is especially important if you are prone to allergies in general. Some oils are not known to cause any allergy, but even then, never bypass this step. Essential oils are inflammable so it’s essential to store them properly. In addition, use very small amounts of oil and never consume essential oils.

 

Citrus, lavender, sandalwood, jojoba, chamomile, tea tree oils are some oils that are used as massage, bath, or skin care oils. These help to nourish skin, reduce inflammation, and tackle infection and keep skin soft and fresh. A skin care expert or an aroma-therapist will tell you exactly which oil will be suitable for your skin type. Apart from widespread use in skin care, essential oils are used to relax the body and the mind.

 

Jasmine, basil, frankincense, sandalwood, peppermint are some oils used in aromatherapy to treat fatigue. Frankincense, orange, lemon, and rose oils reportedly induce a sense of well-being and happiness. Confidence boosters include grapefruit, cypress, and jasmine oils; grapefruit and jasmine oils are also excellent stress busters. If you suffer from low confidence levels or are constantly depressed, aromatherapy sessions can help. While jasmine, orange, grapefruit and rosemary oils can enhance your confidence, rose sandalwood, and lavender can lift your spirits.  

 

If you don’t have the time or the money for expensive aromatherapy sessions you can simply light incense sticks containing essential oils at home. They will not only add fragrance to your home, but will have a soothing effect on you. You could also buy perfumes that contain essential oils like lavender or jasmine. The options are many for the seeker!

 

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