Holistic Remedies

• The skin is your body’s largest organ?
• The average adult sheds over one pound of waste through the skin each day?
• Your body has a lymphatic system, which is responsible for delivering nutrients to and removing waste from the cells?
• Your body has more lymph fluid than blood?
• The lymphatic system does not have a pump and must be stimulated manually with exercise, movement and touch?

Dry brushing is the perfect way to stimulate and cleanse the lymphatic system, helping to alleviate fluid retention, cellulite, dry skin conditions, sluggishness and premature aging while improving nervous and immune system function, circulation and digestion.

It is simple, quick and cheap, since your only real investment is a good quality natural bristle brush. We recommend doing it daily for the most benefit but even periodic dry brushing; during times of illness or stress for example, can be very powerful.

1. Purchase a good quality natural bristle brush with a handle like this.
2. Following the diagram, begin working toe-head on the body’s right side, covering the front and back of your body with long, sweeping strokes of the brush. Cover the foot several times before making your way over the top of the foot, up the ankle and lower leg, covering the entire surface. Continue, knee to thigh, hipbone to waist, covering each area several times and always working toward the heart.
3. Now, starting from the top of the hipbone, move upwards, brushing the sides and buttocks. Brush right arm, starting with the palm, back of hand, wrist, elbow and upper arm.
4. Repeat Step 2 + 3 on left side of your body.
5. Next, brush the face, starting with the forehead center and working toward the ear in each direction. Brush the nose, cheeks and chin, down the neck and décolleté.
6. Use gentle pressure on more sensitive areas like the face and chest and firmer pressure on thicker areas like the soles of feet and buttocks.
7. Once you’re covered your entire body, gently brush your stomach in a clockwise motion and then gently over your heart in a clockwise motion. 5. Finally, take a warm shower and use soap to wash away any toxins, dead skin cells and impurities expelled during dry brushing.
8. Once a week, wash your brush with soap and water to keep it clean and let it dry completely in a warm spot.

A facial massage is an easy way to replicate the spa at home by stimulating circulation, reducing facial tension and counteracting the effects of gravity – giving you a gentle lift. Remember to always handle your face gently and lovingly, stroking with soft movements and in an upward direction. It works best if you first apply a heavier than usual layer of your daytime oil based facial serum to protect the skin.

1. Following the diagram, begin at the base of your neck and gently stroke up toward your jaw and up to the ears.
2. Move your fingers in small circles around the mouth.
3. Apply gentle strokes to your cheeks on the diagonal from the corners of your mouth to your ears, corner of your nose to your temples.
4. Make a circular movement from the inner corner of your eyelid, sweeping across the lids and under your eyes.
5. Stroke the forehead from the brow to the hairline.
6. Repeat each area several times.

If your skin often feels tight, dry and uncomfortable, try our favorite home spa remedy for a quick moisture drench. Especially nourishing during pregnancy, after too much sun exposure or during the dark, harsh months of winter for a lift.

1. Smooth on a generous layer of Nahla Bath + Body Oil from neck to ankles.
2. Step into a very warm shower for several minutes, letting the warm water and steamy environment open up your pores and unlock the nourishing active ingredients and vitamins in Nahla Bath + Body Oil into your skin.
3. Step out, pat skin dry and viola! Buttery soft skin in a snap!

Daily exposure to environmental pollutants combined with the damage inflicted by styling and chemical treatments can leave your hair looking dry, lifeless and brittle. Revive your tresses naturally with an intensive hot oil treatment with Wild Lime Smoothing Hair Repair.

• Contains the bark of the neem tree, which has been used for centuries to protect fragile hair, mend split ends and discourage breakage while healing flaky, itchy or blemished scalps.
• Organic rosemary stimulates circulation and encourages new hair growth.
• Pure plant oils coat every strand in nourishing herbal therapy.
• Strengthens the hair shaft, deeply conditions and adds natural shine.

1. Gently warm Wild Lime Smoothing Hair Repair in a small dish of water for 1-2 minutes and test temperature. It should feel very warm but not hot.
2. Apply several pumps to palm and working in sections, smooth from root to ends.
3. When the entire head has been covered, comb or brush through, cover hair with shower cap and swirl a towel warmed in the dryer over your head.
4. Sit back for 20-30 minutes and relax or leave in overnight if desired.
5. Shampoo, condition and style as usual. Use weekly.

Aromatherapy benefits your body and mind in many ways, from dispelling negative energy to boosting your immune system. As aromas are inhaled, they travel across the olfactory nerves located just inside the nose, before moving into the limbic system, which controls things like your memory and mood. This part of the brain is also responsible for the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters and other 'feel good' chemicals and the arrival of these healing aromas spurs the release of 'happy brain chemicals'.

There is no better medium to disperse the healing benefits of aromatherapy than a warm bath infused with the enveloping aromas of pure essential oils.

1. Begin by dimming the lights and lighting a few candles.
2. Add a drizzle of Nahla Bath + Body Oil to warm running bath water.
3. Sink your body into the tub, using a rolled up towel to cushion the neck and relax for 20 minutes. Breathe deeply, taking belly breaths through your nose and exhaling with a "haa" sound through your mouth.
4. Step out of tub and pat skin dry. Mist your body and room with Alchemy Healing Aromatherapy Mist to uplift your mind, strengthen your spirit and calm your emotions.

A weekly steam treatment is a beautiful way to nurture and nourish your skin. Because it stimulates sweating, (inducing a gentle, yet thorough deep cleansing of the pores and sweat glands), a steam treatment transforms oily, acneic and impure conditions by detoxifying and balancing. And because steam increases blood flow, it carries nutrients to starved, poorly nourished areas, renewing dull, lackluster and dehydrated complexions. While nutrients are redistributed to those needy areas, all the fluids rushing to the skin's surface enhance the development of collagen, helping you to look younger, naturally.

1. After cleansing, combine 1 tablespoon of Chrysanthemum Essence Steam Bath with a quart freshly boiled water in a heat safe bowl.
2. Leaning over bowl, expose your face to the herbal steam and cover head with towel to tent steam. Steam for up to five minutes.
3. Rinse face with warm water, followed by a cool water splash and pat skin dry.

Restorative yoga allows the body to fully and completely relax, alleviating stress, fatigue and reconnecting you to your body through movement and breath. By holding a series of postures passively for longer periods of time with the support of blankets, bolsters and pillows, a deeper state of calm and wellbeing can be attained.

While resting in supported, quiet postures your mind becomes placid and reflective as nervous tension and anxiety dissolve into blissful calm. On a physical level, restorative yoga lubricates the joints and causes the tissues to become more elastic, increasing your natural range of motion. It also eliminates toxins from the tissues and organs as you move and twist, while boosting immune system function. Restorative yoga has been used to treat conditions ranging from depression and insomnia to chronic pain and migraines.

Yoga Journal Magazine is an excellent resource for yoga postures, practice and philosophy. For a free restorative yoga routine, visit Yoga Journal Magazine online and for a more comprehensive list of poses ideal for treating stress, visit here.