Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/108504
and Plants Chamomile The tea is often used to calm and relax, and when applied to the skin, chamomile can have a similarly relaxing effect (but see Allergies, Overstimulation, and Common Sense on page 63). Try this: Create an oil or lotion infusion with chamomile to create an anti-inflammatory massage blend. Hint: The daisy-like flowers grow nicely as a drought-tolerant addition to the landscape and reseed themselves with ease. Cucumber It may not be an herb, but cucumber is an easy-to-grow and prolific vegetable that deserves a place in any spa garden. Cucumber is a cooling, hydrating, and skinsoothing staple that can be used to flavor water and star in a variety of spa treatments. You can create cooling cucumber blends and freeze already-sliced extras year-round. Try this: Create a cucumber pack for the face or eye area from crushed cucumbers. Hint: Cucumbers grow well vertically, so consider growing them along a fence, over an arbor, or up a trellis. Lavender A familiar, popular, and fragrant herb with scented leaves and flowers, lavender is known to relieve anxiety. It is perfect to use with a first-time client who may be feeling nervous or unsure of what to expect. Try this: Wrap a fresh sprig in a damp towel before placing it in a towel warmer, infusing the towel with a delightful fragrance before using with the client. Hint: Lavender needs good drainage to grow well, so it performs well in container plantings. Small-Space Gardening Ideas Choose containers carefully Plants that enjoy quick-draining soil, like lavender and chamomile, grow well in traditional containers. Plants like basil, roses, and strawberries that need more consistent watering will benefit from a self-watering container. Grow up! Use plant stands, ladders, or shelves to elevate containers to different levels if you don't have a lot of space for your garden. Trellises or fences can be used to grow climbing plants vertically as well. Cucumbers and climbing roses grow vertically and can become useful and beautiful backdrops in otherwise wasted spaces. Do double duty Most businesses or homes have landscaping already. It is easy to replace existing ornamental-only plants with those that will serve a double duty. Rosemary is a semievergreen shrub that takes the place of dwarf conifers in my landscape and climate. Alpine strawberry can replace other small, flowering plants like coreopsis, phlox, or vinca. Thyme and mint make great ground covers and can serve as a living mulch, while fragrant roses in place of other large, ornamental shrubs provide additional plant material for you to use. Lemon Balm In addition to its invigorating, citrus scent, lemon balm has proven antianxiety effects, making it great for a calming, mind-clearing massage session. Lemon balm is easy to grow and has tiny, attractive flowers as well. Try this: Create a lemon balm hydrosol (floral water) to lightly scent the sheets on your massage table and help your clients relax. Hint: Lemon balm tolerates lots of pruning, so don't be afraid to harvest and use it regularly. Just give it a little extra mulch and compost so it can continue growing lovely, fragrant leaves for you. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 61