In todays newsletter: - A note of thanks
- 15% off gift for you!
- Healing herb spotlight: Calendula officinalis
- Self care video: Sinus drainage massage using calendula oil
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It's the holiday season, and I've just returned from a 6 month hiatus to learn about herbs, so I can integrate them into my massage practice, and I am filled with gratitude for each and every client who has welcomed me back! I am reminded why I do what I do by the little things that tell me I am making a difference. The client who says they have been counting down the months until my return. The text message from my cousin, who had wrist surgery a few months ago and tells me that my calendula oil really works for scar reduction. Or in her exact words, "Holy shit. Miwa. This stuff actually works. Like very much works." The truth is, I am a small business. A very small, one person business. And my goal has always been simple. To do something that makes a difference in people's lives, and that also brings me joy. Whenever I hear that my services or products have made real difference for someone I do a little happy dance inside. And that feeds me and keeps me going! So please, if you have a story to share, I love hearing them! And if you are up for sharing in a public review, even better! It really does help other clients in need find a service that can help them. |
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My first week back, I was overjoyed to come back to a full schedule of clients. My second week, it's been a slower trickle. And that keeps me humble, reminding me how much I need each and every one of you. And it gets my mind turning as to what else could I be working on to better serve you (getting labels printed for my oils and tinctures? setting up an online store? Reviewing my notes from my last craniosacral class? Ordering seeds for next years herbs?) But I want each of you to know that I value you, you teach me things every day, and it is the feedback I get from you that shapes the direction of this business and keeps this business going. If you know someone who might be able to use my services please let them know! Or buy them a gift card! And from now until the end of the year, your gift card will be worth more! Get 15% off any gift card purchase with the discount code HOLIDAY21 |
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GIFT CARDS are available! Order here Use promo code HOLIDAY21 to get 15% off your gift card purchase from now till the end of the year! Don't hesitate to buy yourself a gift card if you'd like to take advantage of the 15% off appreciation sale price and make self care that much easier in the new year! Pay $85 and your gift card will be worth $100. This year, you can use your gift card not only to buy a service, such as Thai massage, therapeutic massage, or craniosacral, but you can also use it to buy an herbal infused oil or tincture. All herbal products are made in small batches and are only available as supplies last. But I am always making more! Give me a call if you want to know what is available. I'm working on an online store, but that's probably a little ways off still, soft now the old fashioned text or call will have to suffice. Buy 2 ounce bottles for $15 plus shipping. They are perfect to keep in you bag or by your bedside with locking pump caps that won't spill! And they are also a perfect gift or stocking stuffer. Please note that currently the 15% off sale is only for the North Charleston location. Gift cards are also available for Lotus healing center but must be purchased through the book online: downtown link. These gift cards can be used for any lotus service. |
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Healing Plant Spotlight:Calendula officinalis |
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Calendula officinalis, more commonly known just as Calendula, or sometimes called pot marigold is a plant you might be familiar with. It is one of the more commonly used plants in both folk and clinical herbalism and is a plant often found in modern skin care products, including anti aging creams, due to its reputation for soothing and nourishing the skin and helping reduce scars. It is an easy to grow annual, that will self seed readily if you let it, and has a long blooming period that can be prolonged by deadheading, or cutting and using the flower tops for medicine! It prefers temperate climates, so might slow down its blooming in the heat of our low country summer, but keep up with deadheading and its likely to be in full bloom again in the fall. The bright yellow, daisy like flower tops are full of a sticky resin, which is key for its medicinal properties. If you spend a few minutes picking off these flower tops you will see what I mean as it will leave your fingers sticky! |
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| | Calendula officinalis Part of plant used: flower tops (not just the petals. You want the whole corolla, including the green part that holds the flower petals together) The name Calendula is because this plant is said to flower "through the calends of every month," and indeed, barring a frost this cheery and easy to grow plant will continue to bloom with proper deadheading. Deadheading means to simply pick off any dead blooms. This plant is edible and sprinkling the petals into a salad is a great way to add some color and medicinal value to your food. Some say the taste of the petals reminds them of saffron! In terms of its medicinal actions, Calendula has a lot! But what it is probably most known for is as a lympohagogue and as an astringent vulnerary. Lymphogogue means it helps to move the lymph, which is a super important system our body uses for flushing out toxins and disease. When we get sick, our lymph nodes often get swollen - a sign that our immune system is hard at work. A gentle massage with Calendula oil, particularly around our lymph nodes in our neck, and around our ears and sinuses can help support drainage of mucus. Other places where we have a high concentration of lymph nodes that could benefit from the support of Calendula would be our armpits, and inguinal area. Moving the lymph can also be helpful with general fluid retention, if you tend to get swollen feet or hands. Below you will find a little self massage video showing you how to use calendula oil to support your sinuses and immune system. I like to do this massage particularly if I am feeling that tell tale tickle at the back of my throat that often indicates I might be getting sick. By doing this morning and night I often avoid the full brunt of getting sick, or if I do still get sick continuing this massage can give me a lot of relief from that head cold feeling that make you feel like you are walking around inside a ball of cotton candy. Want more self massage videos? I've got a good handful now on my YouTube channel or also on instagram. | | |
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| | As an astringent vulnerary this herb really shines. It is one of the best wound healing herbs we have in the west! Vulnerary literally means of use in the healing of wounds, and astringent means that it dries out, or causes the tightening of tissues. Through these actions it can greatly speed the rate of healing from anything from a minor cut or scrape to a post surgery scar. It does this by reducing local inflammation, moving fluids, and drawing out infection. If a wound is still open though, and is anything more than a superficial cut you would want to use what is called a liniment, rather than an oil. That means basically an alcohol based tincture that is meant to be used topically rather than internally. My calendula oil is for after the wound is closed as oil on an open wound can trap infection. But for something like a post surgery scar, calendula oil can work wonders, helping to visibly reduce the scar and, when combined with massage, minimize tissue adhesions, which can lead to lasting pain or restriction of motion if not addressed. It is also a good oil to pair with saint johns wort for any kind of burn or scar. Lastly you will often find calendula in anti aging cream formulas.That is mainly because its tissue tightening astringent qualities can help reduce wrinkles and combining that with its general nourishing qualities it will leave you with radiant and silky soft skin! It is quite a safe herb, and one I would even use on a babies diaper rash, so go ahead and give it a try! As a massage therapist, this herb is a staple in my herbal oil collection. It is probably one of the best "skin nourishing" herbs out there. So to recap, here are the highlights of Calendula: -An amazing vulnerary, meaning helpful to heal almost any kind of wound, especially post surgery scars -Astringent qualities help to tighten tissue, reducing wrinkles and minimizing scars -Lymphagogue: Strong affinity with the lymph system will generally help move fluids in the body, which can be helpful to support immune response, reduce swelling, and detox toxins. | | |
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Stay tuned for more individual plant profiles, and what their herbal infused oil is particularly good for! As with any new substance, if you tend to be highly sensitive or prone to allergies a spot test is never a bad idea. To do this we would apply a small amount to a part of you body and make sure you have no reaction before using it for a whole body massage. |
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Have you enjoyed your visits to Flow State Healing? The best compliment is a referral. Tell your friends about us! And don't forget to write us a five star review on google, yelp, facebook, and Massage book! (It is ok to copy and paste the same review to all platforms) Follow us @FlowStateHealing on Instagram and Facebook! Call 843.284.3235 to book you appointment or visit www.MiwaRobbins.com to book online |
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