(Photo: Getty Images)
Wasabi, the fiery sushi condiment has been shown to have an assortment of healing
benefits.
This member
of the cabbage family can do everything from help reduce the growth of bacteria that causes
cavities, increase circulation, and promote oxygenation of the
cellular tissue when topically taken to help you get
over a hangover, plump a sexy pout when applied to
women’s lips, and act as an aphrodisiac when consumed by men!
Historically, the potent plant was prided for its antimicrobial
properties and used by Japanese natives to protect from food poisoning.
It has also been proven as a natural antibacterial agent with a high
concentration of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and phytochemicals,
which strengthen the body’s antioxidant defenses and aid the skin
against free radicals.
Its power transcends just ingesting, and wasabi has been shown as equally
beneficial when applied topically to the skin. Which, naturally, made
the skincare industry and its inexhaustible search for interesting
beauty-making ingredients take note.
Seduced by wasabi’s stimulating
nature, it has been added into a slew of skin care products and
included in facials and body treatments at spas across the country.
Want
to test out this stimulating face
food for yourself? Here’s how…
Make your own:
Wasabi massage oil: Combine ¼ cup vegetable oil and ¼ cup light sesame
oil in a small saucepan. Heat on low for 2 to 3 minutes or until warm
but NOT boiling or smoking. Immediately remove from heat and stir in ½
teaspoon wasabi paste. Be sure to use a wooden spoon since plastic can leach
out chemicals.
Cover and let cool for at least 1 hour. Add 5 drops of
vitamin E oil (you can pop a vitamin oil pill if you have one), and stir
until mixed in. Massage!
Buy it ready-made:
Take your wasabi therapy to go with Lather’s
Wasabi Hand Washes (you can even find the Lemongrass Wasabi Hand
Wash on board Delta Air Lines flights). Naturopathica
Green Tea Wasabi Mask helps to detoxify the face.
Find it at a spa:
The Lake Austin
Spa
Resort in Austin, Texas, stimulates its guests with the Wonderful
Wasabi and Green Tea Facial. You can even have your body wrapped in
the stimulating spice in Las Vegas at Treasure Island with its Wasabi
Ginger Wrap.
Laurel House writes for Planet Green, where a version of this post originally appeared.
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