Tea
Time
Tea-Themed Spa Treatments
by
Barbara Bowman
Discovered
by accident more than 5,000 years ago by Chinese
emperor Shen Nung when leaves fell from a bush
into a pot of boiling water, tea has long been
touted as a healing elixir for the body. Within
recent years, scientific studies have shown that
black, green and white tea can prevent cavities,
aid in weight loss and lower blood pressure. Tea's
high level of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols,
may reduce abnormal cell growth and inflammation
and help the body fight cancer-causing agents,
according to the National Cancer Institute. With
properties like these, tea is bound to pop up
in spa treatments. Here are some scrubs, facials
and wraps that employ the power of tea.
ARIZONA
Scottsdale
Scottsdale Arizona Day Spa
at the Scottsdale Resort Club
8235
E. Indian Bend Rd., 480-344-0600
www.scottsdaleresortandathleticclub.com
Green and White Tea Sundance Facial (80 min., $175): Beginning with their signature Green and White Tea Sugar Scrub, the treatment cleans and exfoliates the body. Using "sundance" warm massage oil, the full body massage brings clarity and comfort to the senses.
Chai Tea Mud Wrap (80 min., $175): Detoxifying by drawing impurities, the Balinese healing treatment combines pure green clay, soothing aloe vera and Chai tea spices for a relaxing therapeutic wrap that revitalizes and reactivates sluggish cells to reveal beautiful skin.
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CALIFORNIA
Costa Mesa
The Spa and Fitness Club
695
Town Center Dr. #180, 714-850-0050
www.thespaandfitnessclub.com
Cucumber Green Tea Facial (80 min., $165-$175): Enriched with green tea extracts and bioflavanoids to boost and strengthen the skin's immunity and defense against the environment, the cucumber green tea facial is refreshing and soothing.
San Francisco
Nob Hill Spa at The Huntington
1075
California St., 415-345-2888
www.huntingtonhotel.com
Bamboo Green Tea Scrub (50 min., $135): The invigorating exfoliation combines green tea, bamboo, cleansing grains and reviving essential oils as influenced by the bathing rituals of Japan. A traditional rice buff shower rinse with cherry blossom follows.
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COLORADO
Vail
Avanyu Spa at The Lodge
& Spa at Cordillera
2205
Cordillera Way, Edwards, 866-650-ROCK
www.cordillera.com
Try
the Cozy Chai Tea Mask for the Body (75 minutes,
$175) which utilizes green tea extracts to smooth
and hydrate skin.
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NEVADA
Las Vegas
The Grand Spa at the MGM
Grand
3799
Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-891-3077
www.mgmgrand.com
Japanese
Yuzu Ritual (100 min., $280-$290): The treatment begins
with an invigorating yuzu (Japanese grapefruit)
body scrub followed by a choice of a Sake or white
tea body wrap and a Shiatsu scalp massage and
is finally completed with a 50-minute Shiatsu-combination
massage with yuzu body butter.
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NEW
YORK
New York
Ohm Spa
260 Fifth Avenue #701, 212-481-7892
www.ohmspa.com
Green Tea Masque (75 min., $179): Utilizing green tea and iodine to activate lipid bio-catalysts along with horsetail and marine extracts to encourage local blood circulation and the elimination of built-up toxins.
Tea
Beauty at Home
Lack
the time to go to a spa? Try some tea-based
treatments at home!
For
puffy and tired eyes: Soak
cotton pads in a cold tea brew and lay them
on the eyes. Keep the pads on your eyelids
for about 10 minutes. You can also refrigerate
your used tea bags before laying them on
your eyes. Try calming chamomile tea.
For
tired feet: Soak your feet in an
aromatic, cold peppermint tea brew for about
15 minutes. This is a great way to treat
your feet after a long day of standing,
walking or running.
Tea
facials: Apply a paste made from
one teaspoon of fine cornmeal mixed with
cooled chamomile tea to the face, let dry,
then gently rub off. Not for sensitive skin.
For more sensitive skin, try an exfoliating
paste using chamomile tea and powdered milk.
Rub onto skin, let dry and then rub off
before washing.
Face
rinse: Rinse your face with tea.
Tea acts as an astringent, so it works well
on pimples. Do not wash off. Goldenseal
is particularly good for its antibiotic
effects.
For
healthy hair: In a small saucepan,
warm (do not boil) 1/2 cup olive oil, 2
teaspoons fresh ground lavender and the
dry contents of two peppermint tea bags.
Massage mixture into the scalp over damp
hair and cover hair with shower cap to keep
heat in. Sit in the sun, if possible, for
20-25 minutes. Shampoo and rinse hair. Repeat
this treatment once a month to nourish and
strengthen hair.
Coloring
hair: Use black tea as a hair rinse
to darken hair and add shine, or use chamomile
herbal tea to bring out highlights in blond
hair.
Get
a fake tan: Get a temporary tan by soaking
in a bath for about 20 minutes steeped in
unflavored black tea leaves.
For
the mouth: Mint and parsley teas are
natural breath fresheners.
Reprinted
with permission from Stash Tea Company of
Portland, Oregon (www.stashtea.com). |
| P012706 |
(Updated:
07/17/08 TG) |
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