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.
