What is it supposed to do?
Apart from nourishing the skin with its amazing properties and offering a strange yet relaxing way to unwind, the Honey Massage is also known to aid the removal of toxins and salts from tissues under the skin and from muscles.
What benefits does it claim?
Although a honey massage can do wonders for cellulite-ridden thighs, at Rainka’s the focus is on the back and feet, where stress and toxins build up. A honey massage cleanses and nourishes the skin, helps in wiping out wrinkles, benefits someone with hypertension and other stress-induced conditions and relieves arthritis pains. Honey has a hygroscopic nature, which means when exposed to air it naturally absorbs moisture. In treating open wounds, honey is useful as it could help prevent scarring by keeping the skin moist, encouraging the growth of new tissue, which is why it is called a natural ‘humectant’ and used in cosmetics.
Is there any science behind it?
Documentation of honey’s healing properties began in the early 20th century. The effective antimicrobial agent in honey prohibits the growth of certain bacteria. It contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, believed to be the main reason for the antimicrobial activity of honey. Studies also show that dark honeys, such as buckwheat, possess more antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals from the body; honey’s natural antioxidant properties can destroy biologically destructive chemical agents which have been linked to many diseases such as cancer.
What is it like?
This is not your typical massage. Do not expect to have your whole body covered in honey and soothingly massaged; all you need is a back and feet rub and you’ll feel like you never have before. Throughout the 60-minute treatment, I couldn’t tell if being sticky and in pain was my idea of relaxing but by the end I was on a high. The treatment begins with Maria, a therapist with a powerful pair of hands, dripping honey on the back. It is then spread all over and rubbed in with a series of finger pressure techniques. After 15 minutes, Maria placed her hands on my sticky back and then tore away with a sharp move. When pressing hands on honey and ‘ungluing’ them, you get a vacuum effect and a painful one, I might add; honey then turns white and these white pellets hold the toxins and excess salts that have been released during the massage. After she was finished with my back, I was wiped with a hot towel and left to rest while she continued on my feet. This point completely wiped me out. It was a Friday and I could feel the week’s pressure and stress leaving as she rubbed and tore away. Once she was done, I was told to have a shower with water only (no soap), so the honey could continue to work on my skin. Just as promised, my skin was dewy, soft and shiny.
Where and how much?
Rainka Health Centre: 20, Ioanni Klerides, Flat 201, Lycavitos, Nicosia. Tel: 22 767007. A 60 minute treatment costs €50
