Seeking health and beauty in Peru and Columbia

This past February, I went to Peru and Columbia in search of local organic aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, essential oils and learning. It turns out that, instead, I did find muña essential oil but no aloe vera or jojoba to be found. Also discovered coca leaves, maca powder and… emeralds. The physical body was challenged every step of the trip, but adventures were many and varied.

Coping with altitude

The muña essential oil, extracted from a strong local wild mint bought early in the trip, was useful immediately as several members in our group had to cope with the altitude sickness associated with travelling high up in the Andes. Mixed with eucalyptus or its close relative, ravensara, and lavender essential oil, it proved to be a perfect to calm upset stomachs, headeaches and diarrhea. The mix was also a godsend to alleviate the discomforts of bumpy airplane rides that so easily wiped the smiles off our faces.

Maca: Age-old wisdom

It was during a visit to the San Pedro market in Cusco, Peru, that our friend Virginia insisted I buy maca powder. She said it is a must for women. Also known as Amazon ginseng, maca is a relative of the potato and the wild yam. It has been used by Natives before Inca times and ever since. It contains vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium and iron. This herb has been traditionally used to increase energy, vitality, stamina and promote mental clarity. It helps with menstrual irregularities and female hormone imbalances. While recommended during menopause, nursing or pregnant woman should avoid it.

Upon my return, I made medicinal ghee with the maca powder, which gives it a nice caramel taste and colour. Am finding out that it is a very smooth and gradual energy booster. After the ghee was cooked, there was a gritty, coffee-brown residue that smelled too good to be thrown away, so my roommate and tried it as body scrub. Ohhh, so richly stimulating and moistening!

A sacred stone

But back to the trip. Our main destination was famous Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca site of incredible beauty and solidity, where the energy is like nowhere else in the world. By simply putting their hands on the prayer stone at the Temple of the Intihuatana (solar calendar), people knew that there is indeed very powerful energy emanating from it. What I felt provided an incredible sense of gratefulness that brought tears to my eyes. References were everywhere about the three symbolic animals of Peru: the venerated condor that brings visions and higher perspectives from the upper world; the powerful puma that reigns over the center world; and the serpent that connects human beings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) or the underworld. There were also live llamas that were earning their keep by grazing the hardy grass.

Face to Grace at Machu Picchu

We were very fortunate the day of our visit because--despite the rainy season--the sun was shining strongly. So strongly in fact that most people in our group came back with sunburns blazing like rubies. A few of them had brought their Face to Grace Sombrero sunscreen. Others had brought commercial lotions. However, most forgot to reapply which is a must anywhere, but especially anywhere close to the equator and at high elevations. The following days, my friends learned to appreciate that Sombero not only offers good protection when used properly, but it also is very healing for sunburned skin. Having erred too much on the side of safety myself, I ended up with a disappointing, pinkish yellow tan.

Love and change

After having explored more of the wonders of Peru and having been introduced to the wisdom medicine of Ayahuasca by a master shaman, I took off for Columbia, country of the glorious emerald. Never thought of myself as a jewelry kind of person but have gained a definite appreciation for precious and semi-precious stones. So how not to fall in love with emeralds? After buying two rings and a pendant, I found out that young emeralds are pale and translucent and older ones are darker and opaque. They are associated with the 4^th chakra and planet Mercury, named after the messenger god of Roman mythology. They balance emotions, help make choices during times of transition, understand changes and new directions undertaken, and increase focus during meditation. What a perfect combination.

The condor and the dove

Travelling offers so many opportunities to make new friends, acquire knowledge, learn about products you never suspected existed. But most importantly, it puts you face to face with the best and worst within the self. It has the power to deconstruct one’s perspective of the world and reshape one’s self-image. Although I am still integrating everything I have seen and heard during this trip, the facials and treatments I have provided since my return definitely feel more profound, yet lighter. The condor and the dove seem to have adopted me to guide my work with apparently clearer vision and less effort. The subtle serpent surprised me with more grounding and patience. And a more humble resident of Machu Picchu, the lizard, has inspired a few poems.

Growth

Am convinced that the ramifications of this experience will magnify over time with your friendship and ongoing support of Face to Grace products, services and courses. And not unexpectedly, creativity is in the air with a new recipe for an eye contour cream which is now available but in need of a lable. See the What's New page on http://www.facetograce.com/ for details.