Introduction to Hydrotherapy

The healing properties of water has been recognized since ancient times by the Turkish, Greek, Chinese and Roman civilizations.
Most people benefit from using a hot bath to relieve muscular stiffness, insomnia, tension or stress at home.
Hydrotherapists and physiotherapists use water to to heal and ease a variety of conditions, such as:

• minor wounds
• a variety of skin conditions
• swelling
• poor blood circulation
• eliminate toxins and harmful substances from the body
• hormonal imbalances
• stress
• nervous disorders
• piles
• skin injury after childbirth
• childbirth 
  
• backache
• bronchitis
• constipation

Treatment Techniques in Hydrotherapy

• Cold Baths
• Hot Baths
• Siltz Bath
• Steam bath
• neutral bath
• Hot and Cold Sprays
• Flotation
• Cold Pack
• Wrapping
  

Antiseptics, seaweed, a variety of essential oils, sea salt or plant extracts may be added to the water to maximize the benefits of Hydrotherapy treatments.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree is a wonderful essential oil with many uses. It has many medicinal properties including being a powerful antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial as well as an effective treatment for cough and cold or for killing yeast (Candida) inside the body.  The fact that it has activity against these pathogens makes it ideal as a topical antiseptic for wounds, burns, acne, insect bites and localized infections.
The antifungal benefits of tea tree oil makes it a good alternative healing remedy for fungal nail infections, something that is badly needed in an area where the choice of treatment is limited to expensive and potentially dangerous prescription drugs.
Another use is for controlling dandruff. Studies have shown that a shampoo with 5% tea tree oil is very effective for treating and preventing dandruff.

One of My Favourite Essential Oils: Rose Otto

Rose Otto has a beautiful aroma and amazing benefits. Its fragrance and wealth of healing benefits sets it apart from other essential oils. Rose otto has a powerful effect on the emotions and the spirit, bringing harmony and peace while dispelling fear and tension. Rose essential oil is uplifting, calming, and has aphrodisiac qualities and is beneficial when used on all types of skin.

It takes a lot of work to produce a drop of this essential oil! This is exactly why today, pure rose oil is one of the most expensive and precious essential oils on the earth. Sixty thousand hand picked rose blossoms are required to produce 25g (1oz) of rose oil, - whereas for example lavender is much easier to obtain and can yield 3 litres of oil from 100kg of dried flowers.

Properties and uses:

• aids regeneration of skin cells,
• excellent for skin problems and general skin care,
• regulates the female reproductive system,
• relieves tension, sadness and grief,
• depression and postnatal depression,
• PMS
• aphrodisiac
• impotence,
• frigidity.

When inhaled in steam or used in a massage oil, rose otto essential oil acts as an antidepressant. It can be also used in creams or lotions for its regenerating, toning, firming and anti-inflammatory properties.

About Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Carrot Seed Essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves and young twigs of the tall, evergreen tree with bluish-green, sword shaped leaves and creamy-white flowers. The tree is native to Tasmania and Australia and is also cultivated in California, China, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
Carrot seed essential oil is widely used used in holistic and alternative skincare for:

• dermatitis, 
• psorasis,
• eczema,
• nourishing mature skin,
• revitalizing and toning skin.

It is also effectively used for:

• arthritis,
• rheumatism,
• as a restorative during convalescence,
• PMS,
• gout,
• detoxification purposes (as a supportive remedy)

Pot Marigold - Calendula

The bright orange heads of marigolds are a cheering site in any herb garden. It is an attractive herb with bright orange or yellow daisy-like flowers. Their habit of opening only to the sun and dutifully closing as shadows lenghten was noted by the early herbalists.
This plant, - that is native to mediterranean countries, but cultivated worldwide today - produces too little essential oil to make distillation commercially available. Usually the petals are macerated in sunflower or olive oil base and used for a variety of purposes such as:

• minor burns and bruises,
• sore, inflamed and itchy skin,
• eczema,
• nappy rash,
• athlete's foot,
• sore and cracked nipples in nursing mothers,
• skin prone to thread veins,
• to reduce inflammation in varicose veins. 

The anti-inflammatory properties and the aroma can be further enhanced by blending with any of the following oils in a 20 ml calendula infusion/3-5 drops of essential oil ratio:

• roman chamomile
• german chamomile
• lavender
• rose otto
• helichrysum