HAND & FOOT BATHS

While we take daily bathing and showering for granted, we tend to forget that our hardworking hands and feet are often in need of special therapeutic care. We use our hands constantly during the day, stretching, flexing and sometimes over-extending them through repetitive movements in the course of our work. Wrist and joint pain can result from overuse.

We also underestimate the stress on our feet cause by long hours of standing, particulaly in poorly-fitting shoes or with bad posture. Feet in particular benefit greatly from customized footbaths containing healing substances such as mineral salts, natural sea salts, herbs and essential oils.

Next time, you have had a particulary busy or stressful day, try an aromatherapeutic footbath and foot massage while you are unwinding and watching TV. Your feet will thank you!

MINERAL/HERBAL FOOTBATH
A therapeutic footbath with detoxifying mineral salts and purifying essential oils.

• basin of hot water
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) coarse sea salts
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) Dead Sea mineral salts
• 5 drops juniper berry Pure Essential Oil
• 5 drops grapefruit Pure Essential Oil
• 5 drops bitter orange Pure Essential Oil

Stir the salts and oils into the basin of water and submerge your feet for 10-15 minutes. This combination of ingredients is detoxifying and may make you feel drowsy, so this is a good footbath to take before bedtime. Be sure to drink lots of water during and after the session. Finish with a foot massage with your choice of powder, oil or lotion.

AROMATIC REFLEXOLOGY FOOT SPA
An experienced for overworked and aching feet. The heat of the water and the stones, and the therapeutic herb and flower oils combine to bring much-needed relief.

• basin of hot water
• one dozen smooth stones, about 2"-3" in diameter
• 5 drops lavender Pure Essential Oil
• 5 drops rosemary Pure Essential Oil
• 3 drops lemongrass Pure Essential Oil
• 3 drops geranium Pure Essential Oil

Pour the hot water over the stones in a basin large enough to fit both feet comfortably, and stir in the essential oils. Submerge your feet, and once they start to feel relaxed rotate your ankles, flex your toes and rub the insteps of both feet on the warmed stones. If you feel adventurous, you can give your feet an extra workout by trying to pick up the stones with your toes! After soaking feet, dry them off and treat them to a massage with powder, lotion or oil.

AROMATIC POT-POURRI HAND SOAK
This is a fragrant herbal 'tea'with bio-active elements to soothe and repair sensitive dry skin.

• large bowl of warm water
• handful of mixed herbs to include rosebuds, lavender marigold and chamomile
• 3 drops lavender Pure Essential Oil
• 3 drops chamomile Pure Essential Oil
• 1 tsp (5ml) infused calendula oil

Place the herbs in a muslin drawstring bag, or add them directly to the water. Stir in the essential oils and infused calendula oil. Soak your hands up to the wrists in the mixture for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, towel dry and treat yourself to a hand massage with a nourishing lotion or cream. Your hands will feel relaxed and renewed.