For thousands of years, Essential oils have been used in an array of cultures for medicinal, health and beauty related purposes.

Although one should be cautious when using these oils, they contain benefits that cater to a long list of ailments and issues.

Some of these benefits include:

• Stimulation and energy boosting
• Antidepressant
• Detoxifier
• Antibacterial
• Stress-relieving

According to Kimera Ramfol, the operations manager for Camelot Spa KZN, who looks after a number of spa’s including the management of the Granny Mouse Spa, says: “Essential oils are a natural, safe and cost-effective therapy for a number of health concerns and it is for this reason they are widely used in spas around the world”.

In spas the most common essentials oils are neroli, lavender, ylang ylang.  These particular oils help calm a stressful mind and body, boost the mood and even reduce the signs of ageing.

Many times, beauty therapists will diffuse the oils within the treatment room to aid in the treatment process, or they will squeeze a few drops into a steaming bowl of hot water and place it under the massage plinth during a massage session. This is then inhaled by the customer and they reap the benefits of the essential oil being released.

Not only are essential oils used in spas, but they are also sold in a variety of forms that are used on a daily basis and for specific needs. Mother’s drop a few drops of peppermint oil into their child’s bath to ease wheezing and coughing, they may also spray a lavender mist onto a pillow in order to help a child rest and more importantly if a child is colic, essential oils such as peppermint and ginger (applied with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, to the abdominal area), can ease the symptoms experienced by the infant.

According to Psych Central (https://psychcentral.com) in an article by the American Psychological Association, “Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death [including] heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.” Therefore, it is important to find ways to reduce our stress in order to live a healthier life. “If you cannot make it to the spa to experience the healing power of massage and essential oils combined, then adding a few drops of store-bought essential oil to the floor of the shower will help you inhale some of the stress-relieving properties, as the steam emitted from the water acts as a diffuser,” says Ramfol.

Did you know? Essential oils such as rose, frankincense, lavender, bergamot, marjoram, chamomile, neroli and ylang ylang all help in stress relief, whilst on the other hand, lemon, geranium, rosewood, cinnamon and vetiver all assist in enhancing the mood and boosting energy. (Source:https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17313/13-essential-oils-to-reduce-stress.html)

If you are needing a little pick me up before the winter season gets into full swing, book a treatment at the Granny Mouse Spa on 033 234 4071 or email spa@grannymouse.co.za. If you are travelling from PMB, it is only a few minutes away and if you are travelling from Durban it is only 1h30 min and well worth the scenic drive out of the bustling City, which also assists in stress-relief.

With emerald green being the colour of the year for the fashion and interior design conscious of 2018, trends can pop up in arbitrary places, like that of your garden.

Garden trends that are making an appearance this year are indoor gardens, container/potted gardening as well as mango coloured flora.

The rich and vibrant colour of mango adds dimension, colour and fragrance to the garden. Marigolds are the perfect representation of the colour mango.

No annual is more vibrant or easier to grow than that of the marigold. The flower blooms brightly all summer long and even into the autumn months.

Marigolds:

• Thrive in full sunshine and can often withstand very hot summers.
• Though they grow in almost any soil, marigolds thrive in moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
• If planted in containers, soil-based potting mix should be used and space should be left for them to bloom.
• They don’t require deadheading.
• Should be watered at the base of the plant (bottom of the stem), not from overhead.
• Are known to deter pests and are usually planted with vegetables or even roses

Another trend being followed by green thumbs is container gardening.

This can be done with a mixture of plants and is a convenient way of gardening especially in areas that have small garden spaces, or no garden at all. A container garden can be created, moved and re-styled quite easily and with minimal mess.

Using different textures and heights of containers create a unique visual aesthetic and give the garden dimension. Containers can be placed on the patio, they can also come in the form of hanging baskets. Container gardening can also be created using retaining blocks or even pallet boxes.

Tip: If you are wanting to plant marigolds to add that mango-coloured flair, they are annuals, so they prefer hotter climates. If temperatures drop too low, they are likely to perish. However a plant cover otherwise known as a cold frame, may help them last slightly longer. The other option is to remove the marigolds from the garden bed and transfer them into pots and take indoors or under a sheltered area.