HOT and SPICY Skincare

You only need a pin-size portion of it on your sushi, anything more and your nasal passages are cleared for weeks and your tear ducts get a serious draining. Yes, wasabi (which is actually a member of the cabbage family) is one of those spices that, like horseradish and jalapeno, is best done in small doses to add a little zest and a lot of fire to any dish.

Turns out that more than stimulating your senses, wasabi has been shown to have an assortment of healing benefits from reducing the growth of bacteria that cause cavities to increasing circulation and promoting oxygenation of the cellular tissue when applied topically. Wasabi even acts as a pout plumper when applied to women's lips and an aphrodisiac when consumed by men! The potent plant has historically been prided for its antimicrobial properties and used by the Japanese for ages to protect against food poisoning. It has also proven to be a natural antibacterial agent with a high concentration of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and phytochemicals. Wasabi has also been shown to strengthen the body's antioxidant defenses and aid the skin against free radicals.

The beauty industry has been seduced by wasabi's stimulating nature, infusing it into a slew of skincare products and including it in facials and body treatments at spas across the country.

Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas, stimulates their guests with the Wonderful Wasabi & Green Tea Facial. Spa Elan in Fairport, New York, offers a refining Wasabi Facial as well. The Watermark Hotel & Spa in San Antonio, Texas, includes the Naturopathica Green Tea Wasabi Mask in their facial treatment. While Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys incorporates wasabi into their signature 'Lunch Special' Sushi Body Treatment to promote detoxification. You can even have your body wrapped in the stimulating spice in Las Vegas at Treasure Island with their Wasabi Ginger Wrap.

Take your wasabi therapy to go with Suki's Complexion Brightening Cream, Lather's Wasabi Hand Washes, Naturopathica Green Tea Wasabi Mask, or Body System's Wasabi Hangover Bath Treatment.

Laurel House

September/October 2006