Massage therapy is the most popular of spa services. It is hard work and, as such, requires that we take care of ourselves and our clients. Have you ever wondered if there was something that could make your work more effective while allowing yourself less strain?

Do you wish there were a way to send your patients home with an adjunctive treatment that would provide symptomatic relief between adjustments?

Man has known for centuries that certain plants had properties that enabled him to assuage the pains or soothe the aches associated with daily living. Early recorded history documents the use of plants when there was no alternative for the relief of certain conditions. The herb was either ingested or taken in the form of a tea.

Frequently, however, the herb was utilized in the form of the plant oil, also known as essential oil. These oils, known for centuries for their aromatic qualities, were also believed to have analgesic and therapeutic effects when used topically and were frequently used in soothing and calming balms to relieve the symptoms associated with certain conditions.

The use of medicinal herbs and extracts has been a documented practice of healing dating as far back as 3000 BC. Plants and plant extracts filled the home medicine chests and apothecaries of long, long ago. Mummies were wrapped and preserved with essential oils of sandalwood, myrrh and frankincense. Vials of essential oils, some 2000 years old, have been unearthed in various tombs and found to be potent and aromatic yet today.

Central and North American excavations have revealed tools and plant parts used for health and home. Chinese medical texts record the use of therapeutic plants and oils as far back as 2000 BC. The Egyptians were well aware of the use of healing plants for both health and beauty, as well as caring for their dead.

King Tut’s tomb (which was sealed in 1550 BC) still has an aromatic scent due to the vases filled with fragrant herbs.

The Greeks, Romans and Arabians were all very polished aromatherapists. Cinnamon became more precious than gold! Essential oils were used in the home and for religious purposes, as well as in elaborate bathhouses.

The Middle Ages saw the use of thousands of apothecaries and the dispensing of herbs and oils for a multitude of maladies and home remedies. During the Black Plague, hospitals, street corners and homes burnt certain herbs and resins in the hope of killing germs and keeping sterile the various environments.

Herbalists of yore not only had a deep respect for and knowledge of plants, but were also key in developing our botanical-based spa therapies as we know and use them today. Our “original” spas had only the elements surrounding them with which to provide spa programs, treatments and diet for those seeking relief, rest and/or rejuvenation.

In America, the use of herbs and natural healing practices are probably most associated with our forefathers. Both Native American and Spanish American healers identified and gathered healing plants to treat, to heal, correct or beautify. Accounts from colonists’ journals of 1737 show how American settlers often relied on Native American medicine for their everyday health and beauty needs.

“Modern science explains the success of ‘old’ medicine by the presence of helpful chemical substances found and identified in many plants and natural products. In fact, medicinal plants actually provide chemical blueprints in the manufacture of their synthetic drug counterparts. Health professionals also contribute the good results of earth-borne remedies to psychological factors as well. Many cures most likely combine a little of each.” Nature’s Healing Arts" 1977.

Modern chemistry has allowed us to determine the structure of some of the active components and to synthesize some of the compounds found in the plants. Most of these are terpene derivatives and have a general formulation of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a cyclic configuration. These synthetic products are used throughout the industry as important components of many products currently on the market. Products using such synthetic materials as camphor and menthol abound on store shelves in myriad products.

Herbal Help is here:
CD&P Health Products, in an attempt to reproduce the original reasons why herbs were used, has taken a giant step backwards and has formulated a number of products using 100% pure plant essential oils. These oils, which abound in natural terpene and terpene derivatives, are distilled from carefully selected parts of plants and duplicate the distinctive properties which so greatly attracted our ancestors.

The manufacture of Herbal “X” uses modern chemistry in harmony with nature. Each Herbal “X” formulation is carefully blended using essential oils specially selected for certain conditions. For instance, “Yang” or warm conditions are treated with “Yin” or cooling oils. Proper selection of the formula to use will be much improved if the professional has an appreciation of the polarity of the condition.

Anti-inflammation, Backache, Muscle Ache… are Yin or cooling. Sprain, Warm-Up,…are Yang or warming. Trauma, Cramps, Tennis Elbow…are intended for specific uses, trauma is used when the muscle has been stretched past the point of elasticity, Cramps and Tennis Elbow are used as needed.

Where to go from here? Incorporating botanical-based therapies in your practice, enjoying and benefiting from them as a client and massage therapist is a delightful and worthy endeavor.

Spa therapies and natural healing were intuitive practices that later became scientifically substantiated. Though we lag behind Europe in professional validation of natural therapies, our clients are seeking and sourcing these natural treatments more and more. Remember, as our forefathers knew: a little herbal help goes a long way.

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