Herbs That Work Well in Herbal Body Wraps - Exploring the use of herbs in weight loss
by Ask a Healer
Featured:
Seamud and Herbal Body Wrap Kits
Herbal Body Wraps Are Usually More Than Herbal:
Please also read the introduction to this series: do body wraps really work?
If you go to a spa or salon offering herbal body wraps, you may find that herbs are not the only thing in your wrap solution. Other natural ingredients such as detoxing clays, essential oils, enzymes, collagen, minerals, etc. are often added.
Because there can be a wide range of ingredients in what is still called an herbal body wrap, it's a good idea to talk to the wrap tech beforehand and go over all ingredients. Herbs like rose, basil, chamomile, calendula, burdock root, ginger root, pau d' arco, peppermint, comfrey and alfalfa are sometimes used or included in home recipes for doing your own wraps.
Commonly Used Herbs For Wrapping:
Chamomile - Soothing to the skin and also anti-inflammatory
Alfalfa - Feeds nutrients to the skin and is also great for relaxing tense or painful muscles and lifting fatique
Burdock root - Burdock is one of my favorite herbs. It's official botanical name is Arctium lappa. The root makes a great natural blood purifying tincture. In a body wrap, burdock imparts some of that blood purifying property but is also additionally soothing to the skin and may be of particular benefit to those suffering from eczema or psoriasis. Skin care products containing Arctium lappa may also be of particular interest in cases of psoriasis or eczema.
Ginger - Ginger root is a warming herb and can be used many ways. As a tea, I love ginger tea for indigestion or for drinking just after a meal to avoid indigestion. Ginger Tea is very soothing for an upset stomach. More about health benefits of ginger. In a bodywrap, ginger can stimulate circulation, warm the skin and help in cases of painful or achy joints or muscles.
Rosehips - Antiaging, nourishing to dry skin and helpful for reducing appearance of scars and pigmentation spots. Naturally high vitamin c content. Vitamin C is used in several of the more expensive skin care lines for it's antiaging properties.
Additional Ingredients Used:
This is only a partial list of beneficial herbs, of course. There are many, many herbs utilized for skin care, detoxing and body wraps. In addition, seaweed is often used for toning skin and reducing appearance of cellulite. Aloe vera is another common ingredient used for the same beneficial results.
Herbal wraps with detoxifying clay included (kaolin and bentonite are common clays used) are most apt to give you the results above and, while natural is good, organic is best by far since part of what you put on your skin will be absorbed into your skin.
What to expect after body wrapping: After a series of wraps that contain quality ingredients, performed by skilled technicians, you could reasonably expect to see younger looking, more firm-looking skin and to have experienced a noticable level of detox effects, such as increased energy and detox-related weight balancing. When the body is clear of toxins, it naturally gravitates toward a healthy weight.
Home Body Wrap Solutions:
Can you do your own wrap at home? The answer is yes, provided you have someone to help you and you have the patience of Job.
You will need to buy bandages and ingredients or buy a home body wrap kit. Expect to spend around an hour preparing the ingredients and getting yourself properly wrapped. Then, most wraps stay on for another hour.
You can purchase detoxing clay and herbs and make your own wrap solution. The herbs are usually heated in enough water to then soak the bandages, which are applied over the clay. Other solutions blend herbs with the clay. There are recipes on the internet. Askahealer-recommended organically grown and wildcrafted herbs
Body Wraps - Do They Work?
Conclusion: How to Get the Most From Your Body-Wrap Experience
Wholistic Health Disclaimer: Although most people tolerate the herbs in herbal body wraps and most mineral wraps are comprised of minerals the body needs and uses effectively, those on medications should always check with their doctor before doing a body wrap where topicals can soak into the skin. According to a beauty consultant I talked with, when an herbal body wrap is put on, the skin will absorb about 40 percent of the active ingredients. Same with a mineral wrap. No type of body wrap should be used by those who are pregnant or nursing, unless your doctor approves.
