Are you planning on detoxing or cleansing your body, but are doubtful of your determination to fast on water or juice? If so, there is an easier approach to body detox. One method you could take is to undergo an herbal body wrap. Before you decide if this body detox approach is right for you, let’s read on what are its pros and cons.

An herbal body wrap is easily available at your local spas. Before the treatment, you will want to avoid applying skincare products, such as moisturizers or lotions. After arriving for your treatment, the wrap will be applied. Your spa may suggest you bring and wear loose clothing to cover the wraps. Each session can last between one hour and one and a half hours. To stimulate sweating, your spa may suggest you to make some movement or light exercise. This is not mandatory though. You could simply sit on a reclining chair reading your favorite magazine and wait for your session to end; it doesn’t get much easier than that!

With an herbal body wrap, you can lose weight. In fact, weight loss is one of the many reasons why this treatment is very much sought after. Many look at it as an effortless way to shed off some pounds. It is pretty common for brides-to-be to undergo an herbal wrap before her wedding so that she can look good on the day of her wedding. After an herbal wrap treatment, start eating healthily and exercise to prevent your weight from coming back. Herbal wraps offered at spas are different than many over-the-counter wraps. In addition to water, toxins are eliminated from the body as well; hence, you may experience long-term weight loss.

This body detox approach has many health benefits. As mentioned earlier, herbal wraps offered by professional spas remove more than just excess water from your body. With the use of herbs blended according to formula, toxins are also driven out in the process. That is why you can see there are other health benefits after occasional herbal wrap treatment. In addition to weight loss, you may notice a boost to your energy level, an improvement in your skin’s complexion, and alleviation of pain from a previous injury.

Yes, herbal wraps can be purchased online or from health stores for diy at home, but a trip to the spa is still recommended. Not only do you get better results, but you also get to take a break and de-stress. In fact, you could pamper yourself with other treatments while you are there. Manicures, pedicures, facial and body massage are other popular treatments available there.

Herbal wraps often require multiple treatments to see results. Following your first herbal wrap, you will notice your skin appearance improves and so is your overall health; however, multiple treatments are recommended for a more positive and sustainable improvement. On average, most spas recommend three herbal body wrap treatments. Although multiple sessions are not required, they will maximize your results.

Herbal wraps is not cheap. Depending on the spa in question, an herbal wrap can cost, on average, between $60 and $130. This coupled with the fact that multiple wrap sessions are required; it can make this body detox method pretty expensive for some. Even with the price, this detox approach is still popular because it is easier than fasting only on water or juice for a week. If you are on a budget, go to several spas to compare their prices. Chances are one of them might offer a cheaper package deal.

As you can see, there are a number of advantage and disadvantage of an herbal body wrap to detox your body. Despite the costs and multiple treatments, most still find this a safe and easy way to cleanse and detox their bodies without the pain of hunger from fasting.

In the immortal words of the great Mae West “When all else fails, take a bath” Truer words were never spoken, bathing is not only a hygienic necessity, but a therapeutic experience that can help overcome many issues of the mind and body.

When one is immersed in water amazing things can happen the body and mind open to the incredible healing powers of the essential oils and herbs that are used and  some herbalists have even adopted this particular modality as their preferred means of treatment, over other means (such as teas, pills, etc)

There are some great formulations for making your own herbal products for the bath. Making your own natural products is not only easy and fun but it also allows you to tailor the ingredients to your special needs and situation, for example say there is a preparation at the store that you think is lovely, but you are allergic to one of the ingredients in it, to blend it yourself would take very little time and effort and you could leave out the offending ingredient.

Most of the ingredients needed to make your own natural products for the body and bath can be found at health food stores, herb retailers, or at your local farmers market. Buying your herbs and supplies at the farmers market in the area also has the added benefit of benefiting your local farmers and growers and sometimes it is organic as well, so it is good for you body, mind and heart.

This brings us to our next point, whenever you are making any of your own preparation for internal or external use, there are a few things to remember. Always use the best ingredients that you can find (if possible use organic essential oils and herbs) as this will affect the quality of the finished product. Always use pure water, either distilled, or whenever possible natural spring water. There is something a little more magical and special about washing in spring water. And always, make sure that your tools, mixing bowls, spoons, equipment and your hands, are squeaky clean. This will prevent bacteria from forming and contaminating your products.

The herbal blends and essential oils that you choose will depend on the condition you wish to effect or the result you wish to achieve.

To relax and encourage a peaceful state of mind, try using herbs like chamomile and lavender. To emerge from the bath, renewed and refreshed, try a stimulating blend with peppermint, rosemary, and sage.

Making your own herbal body powders is a nice way to finish off an herbal bath. A combination of cornstarch and white clay powder can be combined with an herbal combination of your choice such as a relaxing and soothing blend of roses and lavender, or a stimulating and invigorating blend with rosemary and eucalyptus.

1. Whatever natural products you decide you would like, be adventurous, experiment and have fun, you’ll love the results.