Archive for the ‘Aromatherapy Chromatherapy Sound Therapy’ Category

The Hue in You

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Color is part of everything we do. It determines what clothes we pair together, how we prepare food (think rare vs. medium well) – even whether or not we stop our cars at an intersection! We have an emotional relationship with color, and the hue of things often determines how we feel about them – even subconsciously.

Chromatherapy – the science of healing through color – harnesses our incredible connection with the spectrum of shades, and helps us to achieve optimum health and relaxation through the most basic of all mediums: light. And when the world of chromatherapy meets the world of spa, the possibilities are endless. Imagine using color to relax your mind, the same way that you use water, steam, and temperature to relax your body – all at the same time!

Just as we assign words to objects and names to people, we impart feelings and attitudes onto colors. From our earliest years, we acknowledge reds, oranges, and yellows as “hot” or “warm” shades, and associate them with stimulation or feelings of excitement. (Which must explain why red is so commonly used in food packaging – it’s a color that’s psychologically acknowledged to activate our appetites!) Conversely, blues, greens, and purples are “cool” shades, and are connected with feelings of tranquility, restoration, and an association with nature. Chromatherapy acknowledges these emotional attachments and uses them to our advantage. So if you’re feeling tired, lackluster, or creatively stunted, consider burning crimson candles next to your tub, hanging orange glass prisms from your bathroom window, and scattering gold-tinted gemstones on your vanity. Sounds simple, but that’s how easy it is to incorporate chromatherpy into your home spa routine.

Manufacturers have also taken notice of the increased interest in color-as-restoration, and have made color-based light systems readily accessible in home spa products. ThermaSol’s Serenity Light and Music System uses both chromatherapy and audio-therapy to stimulate your eyes and ears, while relaxing your body. A self-contained 10” module produces high-intensity light with an infinitely adjustable spectrum – ideal for home chromatherapy. This is the pinnacle of relaxation, and will surely take your home spa experience to a whole new level.

Chromatherapy System

Chromatherapy System

Waterproof Technology for the Spa

Friday, May 7th, 2010

When you think of spas, showers, and baths you don’t think of an environment that is very friendly to modern technology. But, in fact, you can find a variety of consumer electronics that work perfectly in the spa and in wet conditions, and enable you to watch television, surf the web, make phone calls and listen to music. Here are a few waterproof devices that might enhance your spa experience.

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TrendyDigital WaterGuard Waterproof Case for iPad

Waterproof iPad Case

Waterproof iPad Case

The nice thing about a tablet computer is that you can pretty much take it wherever you go, and that now includes the spa. This waterproof case for the iPad made by TrendyDigital will protect the device and allow you to operate the keyboard and navigation interface while using it in the shower or bathtub. It’s perfect if you want to relax and read a good iBook during your spa experience. The case also comes with an adjustable strap so that you can wear it around your neck or shoulders while you stand in your steam shower.

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Essential oils – Where they come from and common aromatherapy uses

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Essentials oils are, in a word, essential to the practice of aromatherapy. They are great for helping heal ailments and can be used to relax and refresh the body. But where do these oils come from and what gives them their therapeutic qualities?

Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Essential oils are man-made substances that are produced from taking the volatile oils (essences) of plants and exposing them to extraction processes that alter the chemical composition such as steam distillation and solvent extraction. These essences are produced within a plant as a reaction to sunlight – more specifically, the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants absorb sunlight and convert it into light energy (glucose). Plant essences are produced when this stored sunlight energy is released. They are called the “life blood” of plants because they perform many important biological functions such as pollination, insect deterrence, and protection from rival plants.

Here’s a list of some essential oils and their therapeutic qualities:

  • Bergamot is refreshing and uplifting with a sweet and spicy scent. It is used in treating acne, boils, chicken pox, colds, cold sores, cystitis, loss of appetite, mouth infections and sore throat.
  • Jasmine is used for treating anxiety, cough, depression, headache, mental tension and sensitive or dry skin. It has relaxing and soothing effects with a warm, floral scent.
  • Rose has a warm and floral scent and is an effective all-purpose oil. It can be used to fight depression, grief, and fear. It is also good for the heart, digestive system, and for treating PMS symptoms. In addition, Rose is one of the best oils to use on dry and sensitive skin.
  • Tea tree is one of the most used essentials oils because of its ability to stimulate the immune system. It fights infections of all kinds, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. It can also help clear the skin. Tea tree has a spicy and pungent smell.
  • Rosemary has a pronounced effect on the brain and central nervous system. It used for stimulating the brain, improving memory and increasing mental awareness. It has a refreshing, woody, herbal scent.
  • Lavender is a calming and relaxing oil and is effective in times of stress and crisis. It relieves tension, depression and nervous exhaustion. Lavender has a floral, sweet, woody and herbal scent.

To learn more about essential oils and aromatherapy simply visit our Aromatherapy Section!

Hottest Trends in Home Spas

Monday, March 29th, 2010

We look at many home spas every day, both in person and online and we have noticed that there are some great trends that are really getting hot in the designs of many of these luxury home spas. Here are just a few of our observations:

1. Custom or Designer Tile: As of late custom and designer tile designs for home spas have become very popular. Most of the luxury home spa designs we have seen in the past few months have all included some amazing tile designs. Some of the designs we have seen have been zen-like, while others have been more drastic and bold. Here are just a few designs we have found, all which are available from Hastings Tile & Bath:

Hastings AAB Series WhiteRelief

Hastings AAB Series White Relief

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Healing Steam – Health Benefits of Steam Bathing

Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Healthy Steam

Healthy Steam

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy

The positive effects of steam bathing have been understood for thousands of years – since ancient Greek times when Hippocrates discovered that steam could cure many ailments. Today ThermaSol® reaps on the benefits of steam by creating innovative steam environments which feature excellent healing attributes. With added features like a Serenity Light and Music system with functions that are easily controlled by the Temp-Touch Series baseline control, it’s easy to have a complete therapeutic suite right in the home!

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Respiratory Benefits

Home steam baths are great for promoting good respiratory health. Allergy sufferers often indulge in daily steam therapy for symptom relief as steam inhalation supports the respiratory system, and may help sufferers to alleviate their sinus afflictions.

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Chakras

Chakras

Skin Benefits

Aestheticians often recommend a good sweat: it creates a beautiful healthy glow by increasing blood circulation to unlock the pores to allow deep-seeded grime and dead cells to be washed away; unveiling healthy skin that glistens.
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Pain Relief Benefits

Steam can be a useful tool for managing muscular pain. The heat allows blood vessels to enlarge allowing more oxygen to flow through them and in turn release tension. This has the twofold effect of helping pain reduction and usually improves the healing speed.

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Serenity Light and Music

Serenity Light and Music

Relaxation Benefits

The ThermaSol steam shower is an ideal way to unwind and help relieve daily stress. Taking a steam bath before bed allows muscles to loosen, helping achieve a relaxed and calm state which promotes a deeper, more restful sleep. ThermaSol also offers the option of light and music therapy. The Serenity Light & Music System offers a built-in FM receiver and has inputs for devices such as TV, portable CD, DVD, and MP3 players. The combined environment of steam, waterproof speakers for listening enjoyment and a fully adjustable light system with a wide spectrum allows for a daily tranquil experience to which anyone would look forward.

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Aromatherapy Benefits
ThermaSol’s steam and aromatherapy oils work beautifully together to bring deep relaxation and healing benefits to your mind and body. Combine ThermaSol’s Essential and Precious Reserve Oils with a steam session to surround the bather in blissful, aromatic pleasure that further facilitates the toxin elimination process and provides the most effective therapeutic, holistic treatments available for the mind and body.

Making your own Body Care Treatments

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

With home spas increasing in popularity many more people are learning how to create their own body care treatments with blends of essential and precious aroma therapy oils. These oils are key to creating body care products that will: Detoxify,Relax, Energize and reduce Cellulite. Here are the essential oils that will help you with these treatments:

Detoxify – Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus
Relax – Lavender
Energize – Peppermint, Basil, Grapefruit, Lemon, Rosemary
Cellulite Atlas cedar, Lavender, Juniper, Rosemary, Fennel, Rose Geranium, Grapefruit

One body care treatment that is very popular is Regenerative Facial Oil. To make this oil simply add Carrot seed, Helichrysum, Lavender,  Frankincense, Rose Otto, Neroli, Blue chamomile, Roman chamomile & Rose-hip seed oil. Once you mix the ingredients apply to the face generously.

Here are some more recipes for body care products:

Body care Product Additional Ingredients Essential Oil Blend Choices # Drops
Bath and Body Oil Sunflower Oil Relax/Detoxify Mix
(Cellulite and Energize Blends -apply on legs only)
20-50
Body Polish Sunflower Oil/Sea Salt Relax/Detoxify Mix
(Cellulite and Energize Blends -apply on legs only)
20-50
Sea Salt Bath Sea Salt Only Relax/Detoxify Mix
(Cellulite and Energize Blends -apply on legs only)
10-30
Air Deodorizer – Use in spray bottle Vodka, water Orange Essential Oil 30-60
Energize/mental clarity/ sinus relief Energize Blend Energize Blend 5-15

Using Chakras & Chromatherapy to Heal

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Using Chromatherapy or “Color Therapy” in your home or at the spa can be one alternative form of medicine that may just help you ease pain and heal your body. Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician of and is considered one of the most prolific figure in the history of medicine. Otherwise known as the “Father of Western Medicine”, Hippocrates was well aware of color’s holistic powers which is why he painted his treatment rooms in healing and used different colored ointments. The ancient Indian art of the chakras uses color therapy to heal by targeting the problem area with the appropriate therapy according to the chakra.

These days through the use of bathtubs, showers and steam showers one can produce these multi-color experiences, focusing on specific colors to help heal or relieve pain for a specific area on the body. By using different color spectrums on specified body parts, chromatherapy – dictated by the chakras – uses the bathing experience to help heal.

To integrate color into your bathing experience, the Serenity Light and Music System is one of the best lighting systems on the market, as it can produce a full color spectrum and features that even change colors to adjust to one’s mood. The technological components are mounted behind a solid brass ceiling grill. The system can come with a remote control for the ultimate in comfort and convenience during your steam bath experience as well.

Here is one chart that may help you target the location on your body or the system that you are hoping to heal:

Color Chakra Location Function System
Red First Base of the spine Stimulation Circulatory system
Orange Second Pelvis Energy levels Lungs
Yellow Third Solar plexus Purification Blood
Green Fourth Heart Soothing Heart
Blue Fifth Throat Illness and pain Throat
Indigo Sixth Forehead Mental wellness Skin
Violet Seventh Top of the head Relaxation Head

Aromatherapy Corner – Why Choose Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Therapeutic Grade Oils

Therapeutic Grade Oils from Provence, France

Most essential oils on the marketplace are traded through distributors or brokers and pass through many hands before reaching a retail store. These oils are often adulterated with substances that “boost” or “extend” one or more of the fragrant properties in the oil. One liter of pure, organic Lavender is sold for around $300. On the other hand, a liter of synthetic or adulterated oil is sold from $10 to $60. One can see why boosting and extending a true oil to increase profit margins might be a seductive choice.  Adulterated oils can also cause short term side effects such as rashes, burning or other irritations. It is unknown what long term effects synthetically treated oils have on human physiology.  In short, use only pure therapeutic grade essential oils, shipped directly from the producers that grow and distill them organically.

For a variety of Therapeutic Grade aromatherapy essential oils, precious reserve oils and hydrosols visit the TheramSol aromatherapy store at ThermaSol.com

Aromatherapy Corner – The importance of organic

Monday, February 1st, 2010
Organic Essential Oils

Organic Essential Oils

Plants make essential oils to protect themselves from pests, bacteria and environmental stress. By carefully distilling plants like lavender (it takes about one tone of lavender plants to produce only four liters of essential oil!), we can use their healing oils for our own ailments. But if you spray a plant like lavender with pesticides and herbicides, the lavender will not produce its own natural healing chemicals, because the pesticides are doing that job for the plant.  It is also common to find adulterated essential oils in the market place. Adulterated or synthetic oils can cause short-term side effects like rashes, burning or other irritations. When an essential oil is labeled organic, this certification ensures that the plants were farmed, harvested, distilled and distributed according to organic methods.  So it is very important that we choose organic essential oils when we are using them for their therapeutic qualities. I suggest looking to reputable health food stores and cooperatives. Ask the folks who work there if the essential oils they offer are certified organic, and if the essential oil company sources its oils directly from the distilleries where they were made.  You’ll find that essential oils are like fine wines. It may take a while for your nose to recognize a great lavender or roman chamomile. But have patience, because learning to care for yourself with natural healing and beauty products is a self-empowering gift.

For a wide selection of 100% organic aromatherapy essential oils, precious reserve oils and hydrosols visit the TheramSol aromatherapy store at ThermaSol.com

Aromatherapy Corner – A pocket-sized first aid kit

Friday, January 29th, 2010
Lavender Field

Lavender Field

The Latin root of “lavender,” lavare, means “to clean” or “wash oneself.” Historically used to fight plague and other pestilence, this powerful essential oil is also gentle enough to be applied “neat”, or undiluted, directly on the skin.

Lavender oil is considered to be the panacea of aromatherapy. Keeping a bottle of lavender in your home pharmacy, car or workplace is a must. Because it is used for so many different kinds of ailments, it makes a perfect pocket-sized first aid kit. Pur, therapeutic-grade, organic lavender oil can be used to treat burns, sunburns, cuts, scrapes, insect bites and acne amongst many other applications. It provides fast, soothing relief upon contact. Lavender’s sweet smell is only a secondary benefit!

There are dozens of essential oils that can be used for many treatments. Some favorites of mine are peppermint for nausea, headaches and mental clarity; helichrysum italicum for bruising, swelling, sprains and strains (a great post-workout treatment); Roman chamomile for its anti-spasmodic action; blue chamomile for its anti-inflammatory effects; and tea tree for its strong anti-microbial effects on pimples, athlete’s foot and dandruff.

For a wide selection of aromatherapy essential oils, precious reserve oils and hydrosols visit the TheramSol aromatherapy store at ThermaSol.com


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