profile: spa
Nature's Wonders
By SUE G. COLLINS
Elemental healing elevates the spa experience.
As wellness tourism continues to grow year after year, the spa industry is constantly evolving and developing innovative treatments that cater to the needs of a discerning clientele.
While a traditional and memorable-spa experience truly soothes all five senses through the use of scents, lighting, music, refreshments and services, across various Salamander properties, spa directors are more committed than ever to multisensory wellness, including researching and developing products that use the healing properties of fresh flowers, herbs, native berries, buds, fruits, vegetables, spices and even wine.
"Did you know that sugar beets provide a form of hyaluronic acid or that calendula is an amazing plant that provides anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making it an effective wound healer and eczema soother?" says Nicole Colavito, spa manager at Salamander Washington DC. This is the kind of conversation she lives for. She explains that the spa's signature scent has been specifically designed to lift moods and reduce stress. "Palmarosa and rosewood calm the nervous system while neroli, marjoram and ylang ylang blend to support support a release of inner tension."
SPA AND WELLNESS
The spa, which is undergoing a significant enhancement and expansion in the first half of 2024, uses Linne Botanicals featuring organic and sustainable, wild-harvested ingredients to effectively address a wide range of skin. care concerns. Native plants like yarrow, geranium, rosemary and lavender have evolved to survive in their particular climate and hold strong apoptogenic qualities leading to a high concentration of active compounds which are then extracted for use. "Our Holistic Facial featuring Linne Botanicals 'skin food optimizes cellular function and brings balance to all skin types," says Colavito.
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease,
cancer and other diseases.
Black currant buds are also a source and carry anti-inflammatory benefits. "Black currants help fight and protect from free radicals that attack the skin's tissues to slow aging," says Ashley Helmick, director at Salamander Spa in Middleburg, in the heart of Virginia's wine country. "We have also partnered with an exclusive wine-inspired line to create services that bring the vineyard to the treatment table. These products are infused with several ingredients derived from two grape varieties, pinot noir and chardonnay," says Helmick. "The core ingredient is the A2OC complex that combines pinot noir extract and black currant buds to improve cell oxygenation and renewal and protects cells from premature aging and environmental aggressors." The spa's vino-inspired treatments include the Grand Cru Massage, Pinot Noir Body Wrap, and the Vino Radiance Facial. Salamander Spa also partnered with a local alchemist who created a custom scent saluting the Virginia landscape, starring a blend of cedarwood, rosewood, tobacco, sandalwood and jasmine.
At Fern Tree, a Salamander Spa at Half Moon in Jamaica, outdoor soaks are offered in traditional large stone tubs on a private terrace, ideal for two.
SETTING THE TONE
Curated by Salamander spa directors, follow this playlist to set the tone for relaxation and a renewed sense of well-being. Use for a brief mental break mid-day or during your meditation or yoga practice. Enjoy songs that will evoke the essence of the Salamander Spa at home.
PEACE PIECE by Bill Evans
THE SUN IN SEPTEMBER by Matthew Halsall
WE MOVE LIGHTLY by Dustin O'Halloran
THEM by Nils Frahm
RIVERS OF FLUTES by Sacred Flute
PEACEFUL GARDEN by Buddha's Lounge
EXISTENCE by Yoo Woon
FLOW by Akleia
SPA AND WELLNESS CONTINUED
The Jamaican Bush Bath features a selec-tion of herbs from Half Moon's garden, including lemon grass, leaf of life, scae-vola, mint, French thyme, cerasee, neem, aloe and grapefruit-depending on the season. "Steeped and drawn for clients, designed to detoxify and rejuvenate the skin is our Soothing Coconut Milk Bath, a hydrating and soothing soak with coco-nut milk," says Tanya Vassell, spa director. The leaf of life plant is also known as mir-acle leaf and grows wildly in Madagascar and Jamaica with anti-bacterial, anti-fun-gal and antihistamine properties. Cerasee helps cleanse toxins and the leaf of the neem tree can help reduce blood sugar levels and aid digestive issues.
By integrating nature-inspired spa therapies into treatments, Salamander spas offer a sanctuary for the body, mind and spirit to recharge and thrive.
BRINGING IT HOME
If only the joy of experiencing an oasis of holistic therapy could last forever! We asked Salamander spa directors to share a few at-home treatments.
"I swear by a weekly body scrub in the shower to keep your skin silky smooth all year long. I love the Vinesime Pinot Noir body scrub because it gently exfoliates, but also leaves your skin super hydrated," says Ashley Helmick, director at Salamander Spa in Middleburg. "If you are looking for at home scrub, mixing sugar, coconut oil and essential oils will also do the trick. It is so important to not only take care of the skin on your face, but the skin on your body as well."
Make your own turmeric milk to sip throughout the day. A natural anti-inflammatory, it works to reduce gut inflammation and aids in the alleviation of muscle soreness after exercise. "However, with turmeric, one can overdo it. That's why I like to create a milk as opposed to taking a supplement." says Nicole Colavito, spa manager at Salamander Washington DC. "I use an organic turmeric tea bag and steep it very strong or I use fresh organic turmeric and grate it to create my own tea." Then add about 4 teaspoon each of cinnamon, ground turmeric and ground ginger and 1-2 tablespoons of raw honey. Blend together the warmed turmeric tea, additional spices and the raw honey, then add a cup of unsweetened plant-based milk, mix thoroughly and refrigerate.
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