Bathing in buffalo milk
Do you still remember the scene from "Beyond Africa", in which Robert Redford Meryl Streep washes his hair under a shady tree? If the movie was up to date, he would have smeared a little Marula oil on her neck. That makes velvety skin. There has been a long history of African influence in living and fashion - and now also in the spa sector.
After Asian wellness treatments have long been part of the classics, new exoticism is in demand now. Many hoteliers are now expanding their Asian departments with an Africa tract.
There is a new yearning for originality, wildness and closeness to nature. This desire is satisfied by a lot of exoticism. Ingredients such as buffalo milk and oily elephant tree fruits, wooden rattles and clay bowls are just some of them.
A basic idea of the Africa Wellness: In addition to the relaxation of the human being in the first place to be "grounded" again. The aromas are earthy - and sometimes get used to.
Oils and balms smell of steppe and grass, The bathing aromas are reminiscent of dry earth, and wraps and scrubs leave their powerful marks on the body. And of course a bit of shaman mysticism about evildoing evil spirits and spirits is not missing either.
Some African beauty secrets have long been known to us, such as the creamy shea butter, the rich coconut milk products or the cooling aloe gel. Now completely new ingredients and applications are added.
buffalo milk
It has about twice the fat content of our regular cow's milk and contains plenty of minerals and vitamin A, which has been proven to prevent skin aging. At the beginning of a treatment is usually a cleansing and circulatory stimulating buffalo milk foot bath, in which the feet are creamed with the paste, massaged and bathed. Alternatively, you can relax the whole body in the white-creamy bath.
Rooibos
Often under the buffalo milk still Rooibos mixed. Red Bush Extracts are known for their anti-free radical properties, helping to prevent wrinkles, increase skin resilience, and heal small wounds faster.
Black diamonds
These gems are considered as a kind of "original product" from Africa. For the treatment they are ground finely and processed with different oils to a noble body peeling (for the face the abrasion is too strong), which cleans and cares. The product is often massaged with smooth, African woodstones, which enhances the exfoliating effect.
The earth colored red by different minerals, which one finds especially in West Africa, is intensively cleansing and strongly detoxifying. Applied as a body wrap, it loosens the muscles and prepares them ideally for a subsequent massage.
However, caution is advised: the packs are very warm and often "glow" for another hour or two.
marula
The valuable natural oil is pressed from the kernels of the juicy-yellow fruits of the Marula tree, which - because the fruits belong to the favorite foods of elephants - is called also elephant tree.
Many African myths are entwined around him: Among other things, his strong scent is said to have aphrodisiac properties, which is why his weddings and fertility rites are celebrated under his broad canopy. The oil, used either as a pure massage oil or processed together with buffalo milk and rooibos tea to a nourishing balm, leaves a velvety soft skin.
Powerful massages
As a rule, the right hand is applied, so that one then has the feeling that the body has been "worked" (sore muscles are not excluded). Relaxation comes when the body is finally tapped rhythmically with rattles of dried figs. Shaken half-shells made of African woods then provide for muted mystical sounds that are supposed to free the soul from all evil.
Here you can experience African wellness
Parkhotel Bad Bayersoien Idyllically situated on Lake Soiersee in the Alpine foothills, the house combines classic spa and wellness facilities with a large African spa and lounge area. If you want to relax after the treatment, you can dive into the new sauna area Amani (Swahili for "peace and harmony"), sweat with rooibos infusions or dream of sunsets in the savannah in the fire sauna. www.parkhotel-bayersoien.de
Artist Riverside Hotel & Spa, Berlin In addition to various exotic massage ceremonies such as Pantai Luar, Bali Boreh, Rasul or Ayurveda, there is also African Wellness here. The beauty: The treatments are not only open to hotel guests, but also to day visitors. www.tolles-hotel.de. Both hotels can also be booked through Beauty24.de
