Halloween Health and Beauty Secrets . . . From the Grave!

Halloween is here and a parade of ghosts, goblins, and mummified trick-or-treaters will be out in all their spooky glory. While it seems Halloween costumes get more creative every year, sometimes the simplest getups are the best. Not only that, but some of the best health and beauty secrets have roots in ancient practices . . . such as mummification!

While you can easily spend $100 and be a dead ringer for the character from the latest slasher movie, it all looks so… commercial. Whatever happened to the real ghouls of Halloween? One of the most authentic (and scary!) Halloween costumes I can recall costs less than $15 to put together and looked like an honest to goodness member of the walking dead. It involved a few rolls of ace bandages, some dust and cobwebs, and that was it. Presto–a mummy that could rival the likes of those in any horror movie.

Of course, authentic mummies weren’t wrapped in ace bandages. It actually took hundreds of yards of linen to carefully wrap a mummy. Apparently the wrapping technique was indicative of different eras and by studying the arrangements of rolls and shrouds of linen, you can determine the time of mummification.

It was a painstaking process. First, all the internal organs were removed. Expensive and fragrant oils such as frankincense and myrrh were used to preserve the skin and body.  A mixture of sodium carbonate was used to dehydrate the corpse. Fingers and toes were wrapped individually as well as the arms and legs before moving on to the torso. Embalmers would place good luck charms between the layers of cloth so that the body would have a safe journey through the underworld Priests would read spells during the mummification process to keep evil spirits at bay and to insure the deceased would have an uneventful journey to the afterlife.  All in all, it was a nice farewell.

Modern day “mummy” wraps.

Though mummification is no longer a common burial ritual, the process made its mark in history and a few of the secrets for preserving skin and removing water and toxins are still used today.  But this time, they’re for the living.  It’s called body wraps and everyone from celebrities to executives sing their praises.

How do they work?

Body wrap treatments should be all natural with the correct mixture of herbs and minerals that are beneficial to the skin.  Essential oils and salts help tone, soften, and temporarily remove excess water and inches from the hips and waistline.  Temporarily is the key word here so frequent wraps are required.

Mud and aloe vera are detoxifying organic materials said to draw toxins out of the skin. After application, the body is swathed in cotton strips.  This detoxification process can boost the lymphatic system, rev up metabolism, and have a profoundly positive impact on overall health.  And because the treatments are so relaxing, they tend to lift the stress from the body, lower blood pressure, and contribute to emotional and mental well being, as well.

If you think you could benefit from a body wrap, now is a good time to invest in one (while you’re still living.)  Get in the Halloween spirit and treat yourself to some modern day mummy treatments. Wrap yourself from head to toe in essential herbs, oils, and soothing minerals.  You’ll feel and look great and so... ALIVE!