Create your own spa

They say it’s not summer until you can put your foot on seven daisies. Well, we believe that equally it’s not spring until you can bathe your feet with seven narcissi – plus freesia, spray rose and cherry blossom! So, if you want a spa treatment with a difference, soak your feet in this scented delight and continue the indulgence with these tips on how to achieve ultimate relaxation by creating a spa at home.

Which flowers to choose

Violets – The perfect spa flower, as they have such a beautiful scent, violets have long been used in alternative medicine to treat everything from headaches to bad breath.
Calendula – This is the perfect plant to grow, should you wish to create a home spa. It can be made into a soothing cream for lips, eyes and the face.
Chamomile – Perfect for everything from colic to inflamed skin, chamomile is often used in spa treatments for its ability to relax and soothe away tension.
Geranium – Oil from this flower is often used in massages as it is known for its soothing properties. It eases tension and is also a great astringent.
Rose – Roses are often used in spa and beauty treatments. The oil is known for its ability to make skin look radiant and rose petal baths are a spa staple.

How to achieve the result

Relax with Lavender – Native to the regions south of Africa and to the south east of India, there are 39 varieties of Lavender, which is known for its relaxing properties. In fact, Lavender is one of the more popular essential oils being used for aromatherapy, where it is said to relieve headaches and even muscle pain. Another great benefit of Lavender is its ability to help the mind relax.
Cherry Blossom tea – In Japan, not only are cherry trees valued for their fragrance and colour during the blooming season, but their blossoms are also used to add flavour and colour to food and beverages – most notably cherry blossom tea. The tea, known in Japan as Sakura-cha, is prepared with cherry blossoms that have been immersed in salt water and stored in plum vinegar.
Rose Oil – Oil made from roses is great for the skin. It has excellent emollient and hydrating properties, which help the skin to stay soft and properly moisturized and to fight any dryness and dehydration. The stimulating action is also said to fight against ageing and to help maintain a soft, dewy and youthful complexion. In general it is said to promote a younger-looking skin with good tone, elasticity and colour.
Rose water –You can make your own refreshing and invigorating rose water at home. Simply take plenty of fresh rose petals and pour over them just enough water to cover them. Boil or simmer for about 45 minutes and then allow to cool. Strain and squeeze out the rose petals and you have your rose water. You can then bottle it and store it in the fridge (it’s best used within a week to 10 days).

Did you know?

Bergamot is great for the skin – simply mix a few drops of the oil with a few drops of eucalyptus oil and add to around 25ml of olive oil and you’ll have the perfect skin healer. It’s great to use on sore areas, or rashes.
Marigolds make a brilliant face mask – mix the chopped petals of one marigold with three teaspoons of honey and three teaspoons of milk. Smooth over the face and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Roses are red, violets are blue – and together they make a brilliant face oil. Simply add a couple of drops of rose oil to a couple of drops of violet oil and mix them in 25ml of almond oil. Smooth over the face and see immediate results.

Note: always consult your doctor or health practitioner before using essential oils.

References
http://www.holistic-guide.com/lavender-aromatherapy
http://www.cas.org/newsevents/connections/blossoms.html
http://www.dermaxime.com/rose.htm
http://vibhavari.hubpages.com/hub/The-health-benefits-of-the-rose
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/violets-flowers-health-benefits.htm
http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/Healing-Flowers.aspx?page=4