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The Ponte Vedra Inn, Club Spa, a North Florida Landmark since 1928

 

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and Blue Marble Spa, San Diego, California

 

The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa, Dallas, Texas

 

Spa Bali at the Holiday Resort, Tumon, Guam

 

Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Shane Diet & Lifestyle Resorts at the Honor’s Haven Resort and Spa, New York

Don't Miss:  Spa Cuisine Recipes of the Month courtesy of the women-only retreat Green Mountain at Fox Run, Vermont

 

Enter by January 17, 2010

For the benefit of our visitors who are considering a spa treatment which calls for ingredients in a mask or wrap which are unfamiliar, read the index below before you go.  Not only will it educate you, you may be able to select a new or different treatment based on something that piques your interest.

Essential Oils are natural substances extracted from grasses, flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees, resins and spices, usually through a process called steam distillation. Oils can soothe, relax, rejuvenate, heal, energize or relieve pain, thereby affecting the body's physical, psychological and emotional levels.  Essential Oils used in this manner is traditionally called aromatherapy.  

If you plan to recreate a spa treatment at home, or plan to follow one of "Spa at Home" recipes which appear in our free newsletters, know that Essential Oils can present certain hazards.  Whenever possible, consult an aromatherapy practitioner. At the very least, educate yourself by reading the Hazard List at the end of this page, and visiting our useful links, also shown below.

Essential Oils should never be applied directly to the skin, and should always be diluted by adding 1-4 drops of Essential Oil to 2-4 ounces of carrier oil (jojoba, calendula, or sweet almond).  Once diluted they can be used for local applications on the body, added to the bath, or used in compresses.  They can also be mixed with water and alcohol for a refreshing room or linen spray.  Most high-quality health food stores will carry Essential Oils.  If you don't have a store near you that qualifies, try the providers listed at the bottom of this page. 

The properties of each essential oil are listed in the order of the strongest property.  If one oil indicates it is a "muscle relaxant and skin conditioner" and another oil indicates it is a "skin conditioner and muscle relaxant," those two oils share similar properties, in different degrees. 

 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A 

Angelica:  Strengthens, restores, and anchors.  Avoid use in full sun.

Aniseed:  Reduces cramping and indigestion.  Do not use if pregnant.

Armoise:  Emollient and muscle relaxant. Do not use if pregnant

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B

Basil:    Soothes and tones. Use sparingly.

Bay:    Stimulates and energizes.  Can irritate skin.

Bergamot:    Conditions skin, soothes. Antiseptic.  Photo toxic.

Birch Tar:    Muscle relaxant, soothing agent.  Do not use if pregnant.

Black Currant Seed:    Relieves PMS.  High in Vitamin C.

Black Pepper:    Muscle relaxant.

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C

Cabreuva:    Calming, increases alertness.

Cajeput:    Stimulates, mood enhancer, antiseptic.

Camphor:    Soothes, conditions skin, muscle relaxant.  Do not use if pregnant or epileptic.

Cananga:    Skin conditioner, deodorant.

Caraway:    Muscle relaxant.

Cardamom:    Muscle relaxant, skin conditioner, soothing agent.

Carrot Seed:    Muscle relaxant, soothing agent, skin conditioner.

Cedarwood:    Antiseptic, skin conditioner, deodorant, soothing agent.

Celery Seed:    Toner.

Chamomile Moroc:    Muscle Relaxant, skin conditioner.

Chamomile Roman:    Muscle Relaxant, skin conditioner.

Cinnamon Bark:    Skin conditioner, anti-inflammatory. Can cause skin irritation.

Citronella:    Skin conditioner, insect repellent.

Clary Sage:    Skin conditioner, astringent, soothing agent, muscle relaxant. Do not use if pregnant or if drinking alcohol.

Clove Bud:    Muscle relaxant, soothing agent. Can irritate skin.

Copaiba Balsam:    Increases circulation, reduces stress.

Coriander:    Muscle relaxant, soothing agent.  Use sparingly.

Costus Root:    Calming agent.

Cumin:    Stimulating. Can irritate skin. Use sparingly.

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D

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E

Eucalyptus:    Antiseptic, soothing agent, skin conditioner, sinus clearing.

Evening Primrose:    Moisturizes dry skin and treats eczema.  Contains gamma linolenic acids, essential for healthy hair, skin and nails.  Consider purchasing a small jar of Oil of Evening Primrose capsules from your health food store to use in recipes.

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F

Sweet Fennel:    Muscle relaxant, soothing agent, antiseptic.

Frankincense:    Skin conditioner, soothing agent.

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G

Geranium:    Skin refresher, muscle relaxant.

Ginger:    Astringent.

Grapefruit:    Soothing agent, astringent, skin conditioner.

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H

Hyssop:    Soothing agent, skin conditioner. Do not use if pregnant, epileptic, or have high blood pressure.

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I

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J

Jasmine Absolute:    Emollient, soothing agent, antiseptic.

Juniper:    Skin detoxifier, astringent, soothing agent. Flammable.

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K

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L

Lavandin:    Soothing agent, muscle relaxant, skin conditioner, astringent.

Lavender:    Muscle relaxant, skin conditioner, soothing agent, astringent.

Lemon:    Soothing agent, antiseptic.

Lemongrass:    Skin conditioner, soothing agent, muscle relaxant, antiseptic.

Lime:    Soothing agent, skin conditioner, astringent.

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M

Mandarin:    Soothing agent, skin conditioner, astringent.

Manuka:    Relieves aches and pains, healing to the skin.

Myrrh:        Anti-inflammatory, emollient, antiseptic.  Use in moderation if pregnant.

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N

Neroli:    Antiseptic, emollient.

Nutmeg:    Antiseptic, soothes irritated skin, muscle relaxant.

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O

Orange:    Astringent, soothing agent, skin conditioner.

Origanum:    Increases energy.

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P

Palmarosa:    Skin conditioner, soothing agent, emollient, muscle relaxant.

Peppermint:    Emollient, antiseptic, muscle relaxant.

Pine:    Antiseptic

Evening Primrose:  Moisturizes dry skin and treats eczema.  Contains gamma linolenic acids, essential for healthy hair, skin and nails.  Consider purchasing a small jar of Oil of Evening Primrose capsules from your health food store to use in recipes.

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Q

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R

Rose Absolute:    Skin conditioner

Rose Otto:    Astringent

Rosemary:    Antiseptic, muscle relaxant, soothing agent, skin conditioner.
Do not use if pregnant or have high blood pressure.

Rosewood:    Muscle relaxant.

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S

Sage:    Soothing agent. Do not use if pregnant or epileptic.

Sandlewood:    Antiseptic, emollient, soothing agent, skin conditioner.

Spearmint:        Emollient, astringent, soothing agent.  Use sparingly.

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T

Tarragon:    Astringent

Tea Tree:    Antiseptic, acne fighter, dandruff fighter

Thyme:    Antiseptic, toner

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V

Vanilla:    Emollient

Vetiver:    Emollient, reduces blood pressure

Violet Leaf:    Soothing agent, skin conditioner

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W

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Y

Yarrow:    Reduces scarring

Ylang-Ylang:    Reduces stress and tension

 

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ESSENTIAL OILS

This list contains essential oils that some aromatherapy practitioners believe should not be used in aromatherapy without the express administration by a qualified aromatherapy practitioner, and some should not even be used by a qualified practitioner. While we have done our best to compile this list, do not assume that an oil is safe for you to use if it is absent from this list. This information is for general spa crafting purposes only, and is not considered complete nor guaranteed to be accurate.  We recommend you contact one of the companies listed below for more information, or, consult the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless, which contains 160 detailed essential oil profiles complete with beautiful color photos.   Purchase this book from Amazon.com.

 

 

Ajowan
Trachyspermum copticum

Almond, Bitter
Prunus dulcis var. amara

Arnica
Arnica Montana

Birch, Sweet
Betula lenta

Boldo Leaf
Peumus boldus

Broom, Spanish
Spartium junceum

Calamus
Acorus calamus var. angustatus

Camphor
Cinnamomum camphora

Deertongue
Carphephorus odoratissimus

Garlic
Allium sativum

Horseradish
Armoracia rusticana

Jaborandi
Pilocarpus jaborandi

Melilotus
Melilotus officinalis

Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris

Mustard
Brassica nigra

Onion
Allium cepa

Pennyroyal
Mentha pulegium

Rue
Ruta graveolens

Sassafras
Sassafras albidum

Thuja
Thuja occidentalis

Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens

Wormseed
Chenopodium ambrosioides
var. anthelminticum

Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium

ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTERESTS

Aromatherapy And Essential Oil Centre
Visit The Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre for your free 39 page guide to Aromatherapy. We offer a large selection of wholesale aromatherapy products and information. We even deliver free of charge on all products with no minimum order. Visit us today!     Spa Index Note:  Excellent "Essential Oil Fact Sheets" for the new Essential Oil enthusiast. 
 
Aromatherapy And Essential Oil Centre of Australia
Visit The Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Centre of Australia for your free 39 page guide to Aromatherapy. We offer Australia's largest selection of wholesale aromatherapy products and information. We carry a full array of massage base oils, essential oils and Aromatherapy products. Visit us today!

Alternative Healing Directory from Gems4Friends.Com
Inner growth through alternative therapy: affirmations, aromatherapy, feng shui, flower essences, gemstone therapy, goal setting techniques, herbs, massage. Free newsletter.

Aroma Tours - Aromatic Journeys Worldwide
Unique aromatic tours, study retreats and women's retreats to Provence, Turkey, Bali and Australia. Lavender fields, spice markets, perfumery, gardens, villages, aromatherapy, gourmet cooking class, ancient sites, temples, massages, fine food and wines.

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)
An educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy.

International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
The positive result of co-operation and trust between members of three established aromatherapy organizations.

Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists
843479 Oxford Rd. 84, R.R. #3
Lakeside, Ontario N0M 2G0
Canada
(519) 475-9038

 


 
     




 

 
 

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