Heavenly healing in Goa

Long stretches of golden beaches, mango groves, rice paddy fields and white-washed villas and churches, these are some of the images which combine to make Goa the pearl of the Orient.  

Today’s stressed-out tourists looking to rejuvenate themselves are travelling to Goa’s ayurvedic health spas to unwind from the pressures of life. But the latest trend in spa treatments is, in fact, nothing new.

Ayurveda, the science of life, is India’s oldest healing system, going back some 5,000 years. It works by restoring balance in the patient via herbs, plants, oils and massage, yoga and steam baths which can improve circulation and tone the muscles.

Ayurveda is effective in treating ailments from back pain and indigestion, to insomnia.

Ferry from Old Goa

To reach the tranquil retreat named Pleasure Island, I took the ferry from historical Old Goa to Divar Island. The five-minute crossing transported me to an islet of lush greenery and inland rivers.

My accommodation in a Goan villa with a verandah and riverside view was the perfect location for nature-watching. I even saw crocodile basking in the sun (from the boat, not my window, I hasten to add.)

This natural environment provided a peaceful atmosphere to experience my weekend of ayurvedic therapies.

Yoga stretches

An hour of yoga postures and sun salutations set me up for the day. This was followed by a vegetarian breakfast and a consultation with Ayurvedic specialist Dr K.N. Sakkariya: “Diagnosis means finding out the root cause of an ailment. We don’t just treat the physical symptoms. We treat the person a a whole and provide guidance on food and lifestyle.”

The doctor explained there are three dosha types – primary life forces responsible for an individual’s nature. The three types are vata, pitta and kapha.

What’s your dominant dosha?

I’m a vata:

• Light build, creative, sensitive
• Prefer warm, humid climates
• Dry skin

Pitta

• Medium, muscular build
• Productive, hard-working
• Prefer cold climates
• Fair skin

Kapha

• Heavy build
• Stable and easy-going
• Prefer warm, dry climates
• Oily skin

Dr Sakkariya said: “Harmony comes from balancing the doshas. Any imbalance can lead to illness.”

An important aspect of Ayurdeva is the  elimination of toxins.

Welcome to Blissville

A steady stream of warm herbal oil was poured onto my forehead from a small earthen vessel at the start of my first soothing treatment. This was followed by a slow and gentle head and shoulder massage. The oil is very nourishing for the hair too. Not surprisingly, I slept like a baby that night.

On day two I was massaged by two therapists working in unison, again with medicated oil.

During the steam bath which followed, known as Swedna, the head and heart are kept cool to create a sense of calm while the body is warmed up to help remove toxins.

Afterwards, I was given an inhalation of herbal drops to clear the sinuses.

Time for thali

After these wonderfully relaxing treatments, I was served an Indian thali meal on the verandah. This was prepared with Ayruvedic spices, together with mango chutney, cucumber and mint raita and papadams.

Local life

Many Goan gardens have their share of mango, papaya, banana and jackfruit trees.

The markets are filled with ornaments, trinkets and mountains of fresh fruit and vegetables. The barrels of tangy spices are a colourful sight to behold.

I took an evening stroll along the palm-fringed beach and silently watched the orange sun set over the Arabian Sea. Timeless.

Beauty trade secrets

Today, Sadie shares some of the beauty trade’s best-kept secrets.

Kick-start the day with Sadie’s version of the ice bucket challenge:

“Freeze some ice cubes, throw them into a bowl, cover with water and plunge your face in it. I get a puffy face in the morning and this gives me the 12-hour’s sleep look. It de-puffs my skin and wakes me up in an instant. It’s a trick used by Kate Moss.”

Hollywood smile

Sprinkle half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda mixed with lemon juice on a damp toothbrush. Brush your teeth with this to whiten your teeth. Only to be used about once a week and for two minutes at a time.

Slices of fresh strawberry over your teeth will remove stains. Eat plenty of crunchy fruit and vegetables and make sure you get enough protein, which is essential for healthy teeth and gums. Also cut down on sugars – the prime cause of dental decay.

Better than botox

Spread a thin layer of whisked egg white over your face; rinse off after 25 minutes.

Sadie vouches for this: “It will tighten your skin and iron out wrinkles. Better than botox – and cheaper!”

Sadie adds: “Drink eight glasses a water a day to flush out toxins. If you have problem skin, try vitamin B yeast tablets. This helps clear the skin.”

“Cod liver oil has retinol in it, which can get rid of acne. It’s foul-tasting so I mix cod liver oil liquid with a Berroca vitamin supplement dissolved in a glass of water: this is a beauty trade secret.”

Pamper day

Sunday is my beauty day when I walk around with home-made concoctions that I’ve put on my face and hair, writes Sadie.

Here’s a face mask recipe using ingredients straight from the fridge and kitchen cupboard. I’ve used this mask for years – and it really works, deep-cleaning the pores and exfoliating all-in-one.

Mix together:

four tablespoons of yoghurt, which acts as a reviving base for dull, dry skin;
a squeeze of lemon juice – but only if your skin is greasy;
five tablespoons of flour to bind the mix – ideally gram flour, which can be found in the world food section of the supermarket. Otherwise, ordinary flour will also work;
two teaspoons of honey;
and half teaspoon of turmeric powder.

Make a paste that you can smooth over face, then relax in the bath. Rinse off with cool water.

Hair treats

Bananas work well in hair care products because of their lubricating properties. To make a hair mask for dry hair, combine:

half a ripe banana;
one egg yolk (just the yolk, no white);
and half a teaspoon of olive oil.

Sadie explains: “Massage the mask into the hair and leave it on all day under a shower cap. Don’t forget to shampoo it off with lukewarm water, or you’ll end up with scrambled egg all over head!”

Tip of the day

To condition the hair, soak the scalp with warm olive oil, then wrap your hair in a towel for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water then shampoo.

Aromatherapy essentials

Crush some lavender buds in the palm of your hand or inhale the fragrance of a damask rose on a summer’s day, we all know how evocative scents can be.

Back in 4BC Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said: “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.” Here at Beauty Makes Scents, we fully agree with that advice.

Aromatherapist Caroline says: “The healing effects of aromatic oils from herbs, fruits, trees and flowers have been known for thousands of years. Essential oils are good for the mind, body and soul.”

Basic kit

These are Caroline’s top five essential oils:

Lavender: an overall rescue remedy; anti-bacterial and antidepressant

Chamomile: anti-inflammatory and relaxing, it smells of apples

Sweet orange: an astringent for clogged pores, it also helps relieve stressed nerves

Rosemary: excellent for pain relief and circulation

Palmarosa: for sore muscles; this oil has a calming effect

Caroline adds: “When added to creams, palmarosa has a hydrating effect on the skin. It also balances the natural secretion of sebum, which keeps the skin supple and elastic.”

How to use

Essential oils should never be used neat on the skin, apart from lavender, which can be used on burns in first aid treatments.

The oils can be diluted in massage oil blends, in the bath, or simply vaporised in a burner.

Caroline tried out some aromatic products from essential oil supplier  Butterbur & Sage. The company rejects animals testing.

“At the end of a long, tiring day I soaked in a Cleopatra Milk Bath of jasmine and rose. A real treat for aching muscles.”

To quote the Irish poet Thomas Moore,

“The rose distills a healing balm

The beating pulse of pain to calm.”

Where to buy

The Aroma Spa range is available from Butterbur & Sage online.

Cleopatra Milk Bath costs £4.62 for 250ml.

Neem oil for hair and skin

If your hair is falling out, getting thin from the hair colouring process, or you have a dry scalp, get yourself down to any Asian or Afro-caribbean beauty shop in London and stock up on some neem oil at bargain prices.

If you buy this product from a health shop, it will cost you around £7. But shops such as Charlie’s, next to Goldhawk Road tube station in West London, sell it for £2.99.

Sadie says: “I had dandruff and thinning hair. I used this product and my hair improved and got thicker. Warning: the smell is not the best.

“Massage it on your scalp, leave it on for a couple of hours, then shampoo off, twice.”

This is an all-natural product from the neem tree and it will improve the condition of your hair. No parabens or nasty chemicals.

Caroline adds: “Neem oil is native to India and has been used for thousands of years, mainly for its disease-fighting properties.

“It’s also good for dry or itchy skin.”

Whatever we advocate here will be as close to 100% natural as possible without the hefty price tag. It’s a case of knowing where to look – and Caroline and Sadie have done their homework on this.

Our philosophy is beauty and health without compromise on a shoestring budget.

Tip of the day: coconut hair mask

When it comes to conditioning dry hair, we recommend using Superdrug’s coconut oil as a hair mask as it gives your hair a healthy shine. At £2.29 for 125ml, everyone is raving about this beauty bargain.

Coconut oil moisturises your hair and scalp and is anti-fungal, so it also helps gets rid of dandruff.

Solid at room temperature, you can soften it by placing the pot on the radiator or leaving it in hot water for a few minutes.

Use a teaspoon of the product and massage into the hair, especially the ends, while you’re in the steam room, sauna or bath, before shampooing off. It leaves the hair smelling lovely – and saves a trip to the hair salon for an expensive conditioning treatment. Just remember, less is more.

Tiger balm

This week the British Medical Journal reported that 13 clinical trials have found that paracetamol is “no good for back pain.” We looked at some alternative methods of pain relief.

Tiger Balm is a pungent herbal ointment containing camphor, menthol, clove and cajuput oil, that can be rubbed onto aching muscles two or three times a day. It warms up the skin and provides natural pain relief.

Eastern promise

The formula, developed in the Far East and inspired by centuries of Chinese wisdom is used around the whole world today,

I massaged a pea-size amount of Tiger Balm Red onto my sore shoulder, then covered up. The effect was warming and it really did ease the pain. Don’t forget to wash your hands after applying it as it will sting if it touches the eyes or mucous membranes.

The only downside is that the red version can stain the clothes, but this comes out in the wash. Tiger Balm white avoids this problem – and is also good for  headaches, colds and congestion. Rub a tiny amount onto the forehead and temples.

A Singaporean acupuncturist, trained in both Western and Chinese medicine, once told me: “I prefer to use what’s worked for 3,000 years” – and I tend to agree with that.

Where to buy?

Tiger Balm comes in a 19g jar in red or white variants. Authentic versions are sold in Soho’s Chinatown, in herbal shops and outlets, such as Boots, for about £5.

To soap or not to soap

To soap or not to soap, that is the question. Today dermatologists are advocating a return to soap and water when it comes to cleansing the face. You then need to use the right type of products for your skin type, whether it’s oily, dry, mature or sensitive.

Sadie says: “I’ve completely changed my beauty routine and diet – and have seen a dramatic improvement to my skin.”

She explain: “My skin is a classic ethnic skin type: oily with open pores. I reverted to using soap and water with a loofah facial pad. (I bought a pack of three loofah facial pads from Superdrug for £1.99.) My skin changed within weeks.”

Back to basics

Skin consist of two layers: the outer layer, the epidermis, is a mass of dead cells that need to be scrubbed away to let the bottom layer, the dermis, renew itself.

Skin needs to be scrupulously clean for  your face cream to do its work. Every day the skin is bombarded with grit, pollution and make-up. All of this will clog the pores.

Sadie recommends steaming your face once a week over a bowl of hot water: “Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl and steam your face. Add a small handful of sugar with your soap routine as a good but cheap exfoliator.”

Best bars

Pears oil clear soap: a good budget soap that cleans the skin. On offer at Superdrug, from 1/3 off at 65p.

Neutrogena facial bar, as used by Brooke Shields and popular in the US. Easy to wash off with no residue. From all leading chemists, £1.99.

Shahnaz Husain milk facial bar: deep pore cleansing with a gentle dermabrasive action. From Lloyds Pharmacy in Selfridges, Oxford Street.

Sadie says: “It costs £5.99, but it’s one of the best bars I ever used – well worth the money.”

A final tip from Sadie: “My personal trick is to rinse off your face with thirty splashes of water, so you get rid of any soap residue.”

Did you know?

Loofahs are marrow-like vegetables and not aquatic animals, as some people think.

Once dried, they effectively exfoliate dead skin cells and remove dirt and excess oil.

Loofahs are better than flannels because they dry quickly so don’t get smelly.

Superfood spirulina

Every day our bodies are subjected to an onslaught of chemicals from the air, food and water – and we need to find effective ways to detoxify.

You may have heard of the latest superfood spirulina. It’s a blue-green microalgae that has actually existed on the planet for billions of years. Spirulina has a unique combination of phytonutrients that can help cleanse our bodies.

Amazing Algae

I’ve been taking Kaizen Living Organic Spirulina tablets as a supplement for the past few weeks and have already noticed an improvement in my digestion, writes Caroline. Spirulina is said to stimulate beneficial gut flora like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

Kaizen Living spirulina contains over 65% natural protein. It’s grown organically on a remote island in the South China Sea.

Fast facts

Spirulina is high in calcium – which is great for teeth and bone development

It’s high in Vitamin B12

Spirulina contains 18 amino acids

Spirulina is high in magnesium

It contains Vitamin B6 and is high in iron – both of which support healthy cognitive function

Spirulina is high in beta carotene which helps with healthy eyes and vision

It also contains high chlorophyll levels which makes it a great detoxifier

Smoothies

Spirulina in powder form can be added to juices and smoothies, or sprinkled over pasta dishes.

Check out this pineapple, mint and strawberry juice with spirulina

Where to buy
Kaizen Living Organic Spirulina Powder, 200g, £14.99

Kaizen Living Organic Spirulina Tablets, 400 x 500g, £15.99
For further information:  www.kaizenliving.co.uk/Spirulina

Salt scrubs

Body scrub products can be pricy and have minimal scrub ingredients. Here’s one that Sadie makes at home that’s great for exfoliating dead skin cells and making your skin baby-smooth. The massaging effect can also help combat cellulite.

Recipe

Pour a cup of course sea salt into a glass jar. Pour in olive oil or sweet almond oil until the salt has soaked in.

Add a couple of drops of pure essential oil. Lavender is relaxing; camomile is also soothing while rosemary is stimulating. You can experiment with your own blend.

Wet your body in the shower, scrub with the salt, then rinse off.

As Sadie sums up: “No nasty ingredients, just natural. This would probably cost you £12.99 in a upmarket beauty store, but less than a pound if you make it at home.”

Epsom salts

Caroline adds a tip of her own: “To relax tired muscles and joints, dissolve Epsom salts in warm water and massage lightly with a mitt.”

You can pick up a tub of Epsom salts for £1.25 from your local chemist.