Highlights from The Ritz-Carlton Magazine

This issue spa experts share treatments and ingredients that relax muscles, calm stress and soothe over-worked minds.

DE-STRESSING WITH NATURE

It seems only natural that we should turn to plants when we want to heal our bodies. That's why
The Ritz-Carlton Spas are using fragrant ingredients like lemongrass and lavender to help guests relax and revitalize.



Jasmine

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jasmine
Jasmine is considered a "luxury" herb, as it takes a large amount of blossoms to produce a small quantity of essential oil. The natural sedative promotes sleep and decreases anxiety and depression, while its fragrance - warming and intoxicating - stimulates the brain. The Ancient Royal Ritual at The Ritz-Carlton Spa Jakarta, Pacific Place begins in a jasmine-scented room, where guests enjoy a soothing foot massage. The treatment continues with a traditional massage and an herbal exfoliation. A therapist then applies jasmine with buttermilk and honey to nourish the skin.
Lemongrass

Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Lemongrass
These thin stalks of grass with a light lemony fragrance are for more than cooking. Lemongrass has great astringent properties as a toner, dilating blood vessels, tightening pores and plumping wrinkles. Citral (citronella), the major chemical in lemongrass essential oil, is antiseptic and antibacterial. Eau Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach calls its Scrub and Polish Bar Experience a do-it-yourself body cocktail. Mix lemongrass oil with any lotion and take it with you to the bath lounge or to any spa service for a customized treatment. Carry a small bottle of essential oil while traveling, as the aroma can help relieve symptoms of stress, depression and jet lag.
Lavender

Half Moon Bay, California, USA

Lavender
Essential oil from the purple spikes of English or French lavender is so calming it is said to induce alpha waves. Lavender helps with insomnia, soothes the nervous system and lessens the effects of stress. It also relieves pain in muscles and joints. Used as a vapor or applied directly to the chest, throat or back, it can alleviate respiratory ailments. The Lavender Experience at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay in California includes a lavender wrap, calming lavender facial, and coastal lavender manicure and pedicure.
Chamomile

Beijing, China

Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most widely consumed herbal teas, but you can do more than drink the soothing aromatic brew. The tea brightens the complexion as a face wash and makes hair shinier and more manageable as a conditioner. The yellow centers of the small, daisy-like flowers contain fragrant healing oil that can be used in lotions, as a vapor, in a bath, or as a wash or compress to relax muscles and calm skin irritations. At The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Beijing, the Water Lily Soothing Wrap combines water lily, green tea and chamomile to cool and desensitize sun-damaged or sunburned skin.
Mint

Naples, Florida, USA

Mint
The nose knows mint. Merely the aroma can activate saliva glands, which facilitates digestion, and balms or mint oil can relieve headaches when applied to the forehead. The cooling herb also soothes the skin and can be used for treating bug bites. Drink it, eat it, inhale the menthol aroma or apply it to your skin. You will revive and feel freshened as surely as water perks up a parched plant. The Ginger and Mint Salt Glow at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples in Florida incorporates a mint-mix polish after a light body brushing and drizzling of oil to prepare the skin.
 
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