I think it is fair to say that every woman has a moment when she begins to notice the subtle signs of ageing. For some, this is just part of Life and for others, those little wrinkles, laugh lines, dark circles and patchiness are rather bothersome. If you are anything like me, you may accept this but still wish to minimise their appearance by natural means. Hello, gua sha!
"I absolutely love using my rose quartz roller in the mornings to help my lymphatic system and maintain the youthfulness of my 48-year old skin."
Gua sha has a two-fold meaning; 'gua' stands for scraping, while the 'sha' means redness of skin. To practice this ancient therapy, a hard stone, or traditionally a coin, is dragged across certain areas of the face and body. In traditional East Asian medicine, the stone is used along acupuncture meridians in long, firm strokes and used to treat many health conditions. Oftentimes the skin in areas worked will flare red signifying an increase on blood flow and circulation similar to that of Chinese cupping.
Interestingly, gau sha is not just used for beauty. It is can be used to release stagnant and emotional energy, or trapped "Qi", a Chinese word meaning "life force". This practice, similar to the beauty treatment, is used along known meridians or energetic pathways of the body, and complimented by the use of crystal stones, essential oils and medicinal herbs.
SHOP
Health Benefits Of Gau Sha & Rollering
There are many modern uses for scaping or rollering the skin and topping the list lately has been as an anti-aging treatment. The following are many of the other health and wellness benefits:
Helps to relieve migraine headaches and neck pain by improving "Qi" energy flow.
Relieves tension and stress through the neck and facial muscles; reduces irritability.
Detoxifications and effectively helps to drain the lymphatic system.
Provides an all natural facelift effect and works well as skin toning and brightening.
Grounding, a relaxation technique for anxiety sufferers, releases stress in the body.
A loving self-care practice that enhances well-being and emotional energy or "Qi".
Using this ancient massage technique is not only therapeutic and helps to improve your skin, gua sha and rollering are also two beautiful ways to show yourself some loving self-care and be kinder to yourself.
Rollers & Gua Sha Stones
Although the term is used inter-changeably, gua sha actually refers to the flat, scalloped stone (pictured above) and not the roller that has gained popularity recently. Both tools provide wonderful results, but I prefer the more therapeutic gau sha stone over the roller. It comes down to personal choice and the ease of use.
Traditionally, Jade was used and applied cold to the skin. However, Rose Quartz, black Tourmaline, clear Quartz and Amethyst are also very popular crystal stones to try. Many practitioners believe that the crystal stones provide a deeper therapeutic experience and directly aid the treatments.
Amethyst
A violet to deep-purple crystal stone is often used by practitioners for tranquillity, inner peace and to invoke a spiritual connection. It is associated with the Third Eye Chakra and Crown Chakra, the birthstone for the month of February, and has a powerful pull for the zodiac signs Aquarius, Capricorn, Pisces, Sagittarius, and Virgo.
Black Obsidian
,A solid black stone that helps release mental stress, tension while shielding against negativity. It is associated with the Base Chakra and has a strong pull for Zodiac signs Sagittarius and Scorpio. Obsidian draws out mental stress and tension, clears confusion, and help to dissolve emotional blockages and past life traumas.
Clear & Rose Quartz
This crystal helps cleanse, release and raise your vibrations with the Master Healer. It is associated with the Crown Chakra and the birthstone for those born in April. Quartz has a strong pull for all the birthsigns and is used to amplify energy and thought, as well as increase the effect of other crystals.
Rose quartz, a pink-tinged version of quartz, is known as the "self-love" stone and associated with the Heart Chakra, the planet Venus and Zodiac signs Libra and Taurus. Rose Quartz is the stone of universal love. Using it helps to restore trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love. This is one of the most popular crystals used for gau sha next to Jade.
Jade Nephrite
According to traditional Chinese practice, green Jade is associated with longevity. A protective stone, Jade keeps the wearer from harm and brings about harmony. It is associated with the Heart Chakra and has pull for the Zodiac signs, Aries, Gemini, Libra, and Taurus.
The Use of Essential Oils
Practitioners of gau sha first apply oil to the area of the body that is being treated to allow the tool to scrape across the skin more smoothly. Each oil, just like the crystal stones used, have different properties and provide a variety of healing powers. Here are a few of my ultimate top favourites:
Germanium helps reduce acne breakouts, skin irritation, and skin infections when applied topically. The delicately sweet scent of Neroli winds its way into the troubled heart.
Rosemary is very stimulating and aids circulation and blood flow as well as lymphatic drainage. Neroli envelops us in a healing white light. Neroli envelops us in a healing white light.
Germain Chamomile is very soothing for the skin, useful in treating eczema, psoriasis and acne. Neroli envelops us in a healing white light.
Citrus blends are stimulating; also very high in vitamin C needed for the body to create collagen. Neroli envelops us in a healing white light.
Rosehip Oil is one of the most popular restorative oils and is used in many over the counter beauty products to help restore collagen, reduce wrinkles, age spots and support an anti-ageing beauty regime.
You can mix and match these and other essential oils to make a truly unique blend for your skin type. All you need is a high quality carrier oil, your essential oil picks, and of course, your gua sha stone of choice.
SHOP
What's In A Carrier Oil?
Carrier oils are usually vegetable-based oils derived from kernels, seeds and the nut of plants with little to no smell. They do not evaporate and help to dilute essential oils for safe application to the skin. The most commonly used carrier oils are Sweet Almond, Coconut and Jojoba.
Fractionated Coconut Carrier Oil
Fractionated Coconut oil is virgin coconut oil that has been distilled, allowing long-chain fatty acids to separate and solidify for removal. What remains is an ultralight, odorless coconut oil that stays liquid in form at cooler temps. This soothing oil will allow you to use your essential oils in a new range of ways. Use Fractionated Coconut oil to hydrate the skin or apply essential oils to the body without irritation. Great for use as a body moisturiser, for massage or local topical application.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil has many healing properties making it a preferred oil in treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, sun spots and psoriasis. It is easy to use as a cleanser, moisturiser, or spot treatment. You can use almost anywhere on the body, including the face, without having to dilute it. This oil is also renowned for its hydrating and regenerative qualities. It is suitable to all skin types and can help improve skin suppleness and elasticity due to its similarities with human sebum. It also acts as a great makeup remover or a natural skin cleanser. Jojoba Carrier Oil will allow you to use your essential oils in a new range of ways asp art of your beauty or self-care routine.
Sweet Almond Carrier Oil
This is my favourite and is rich in vitamin E and can help soothe dry and irritated skin. It acts as a barrier against elements and is a great all round natural skin moisturiser. The oil's fatty acid content dissolves excess oil on the skin, while the retinoids present in the oil can reduce the appearance of acne and help improve cell turnover. Most people can use Sweet Almond Carrier Oil to apply essential oils to the body without any risk of irritating the skin.
Aging Essential Oil Blend
This is one of the loveliest blends for improving mature skin texture and complexion.
3 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil
2- drops Rosehip Oil
5 drops Neroli Oil
First oil the face by lightly massaging into your skin, cautiously around the eyes. Using a gau sha stone, drag the crystal across the skin starting from the neck using firm strokes. Allow 20 minutes before rinsing off.
Nourish Essential Oil Blend
This recipe blend combines the vitamin E rich carrier oil Sweet Almond oil with the high vitamin C content of Rosehip oil, cleansing aspects of Cedarwood and hydrating properties of Jasmine oil. Rosehip oil is prized beauty oil as it chock-a-block full of fatty acids that provide protection against oxidative stress, while Jasmine oil is also an antioxidant. I highly recommend using Jasmine here because, well, it just smells simply divine!
3 tablespoons ECO Sweet Almond Oil
7 drops Rosehip Oil
3 drops Cedarwood Oil
5 drops Jasmine Oil
Combine and use as a gentle massage oil for the face and neck or with you gua sha and roller tool. You can also make a batch and store for up to a month in a sealed jar Add a small dab to problem areas of the face each night before bed such as the forehead and laugh lines, or dry skin such as the cheeks, chin and forehead.
Essential oils are so versatile and using as part of your beauty routine is one of the easiest ways to enjoy all the wellness benefits from aromatherapy. Whether you use them in combination with other natural beauty treatments or on the their with your gau sha, essential oils provide many beneficial extracts and benefits.
Optional: Aromatherapy Subscription Boxes
Gift yourself the healing powers of essential oils with this Health Practitioner's approved and naturally sourced Aussie brand. I personally use these oils in my health clinic to treat all kinds of ailments and help clients find harmony once again. ECO Essential Oils makes it super easy to support your own wellness with their Oil Club and Ritual Box.
*DISCLAMIER: Before trying anything new, it is always advisable that you first check with your GP to see if you may be allergic to any of the oils or remedies suggested. This blog post does not replace the care and advice of your treating physical or health practitioner. When in doubt, check it out.
Health + happiness,
Emma Lisa xx
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Do you have the rose quartz gausha? I have heard so much about them from my friend who's in your FB group. Where can I buy one?
Hey love, I grabbed on your guasha heart thingys and am loving it so much! 😍 I wasn't sure i was using right but I am noticing my skin is heaps smoother and fresher looking. Does it come in other stone colours? I heard jade is good one. Jazz 😁