Celebrate the Olympics with Beauty Products inspired by Ancient Greece

As the Olympics return to its birthplace in Athens, Greece, Bath Petals pays tribute to the Games and the Gods with Greek Honey Mint Spa Products, featuring ingredients highly regarded in Greek Mythology.

(PRWEB) August 14, 2004 -- The first Olympic Games were both a religious and athletic festival, honoring the Greek god, Zeus. Famed for their athleticism, both health and physical beauty were equally important to the Greeks. In the stadium, athletes applied oil to their bodies, which they removed afterwards with strigiles", a type of Greek scraper. In those ancient times, herbs and essential oils were used in fumigations, rub-downs and bathing rituals. In fact, the ancient Greeks are known as historys first cosmetic chemists, credited with the creation of both soap and lotion, and hand-crafted their own health and beauty products from the raw, natural ingredients that were native to Greece. Favorite ingredients included honey and mint, both made infamous in Greek Mythology, and featured in Bath Petals collection of Greek Honey Mint spa products.

Mint (from Greek minthe)
According to Greek Mythology, the mint plant was originally a beautiful water nymph named Minthe, who attracted the attention of Hades, the stern ruler of the Greek Underworld. As Hades pursued the beautiful water nymph, his wife, Persephone, became enraged with jealousy, and took revenge on her husbands mistress. The enraged Persephone waylaid Minthe, beating the poor Naiad with furious kicks, and trod her into the ground. Hades, heartbroked by Persephones actions, transformed Minthe into the mint plant, and imparted her with a delightful scent, so when the wonderful plant was walked upon in the garden, Minthes aroma would be delightful to the senses. The cooling action of mint essential oil on the skin was an added bonus in Greeces hot climate.

Honey (from Greek meli)
Honey was also highly regarded by the people of ancient Greece, for its sweetness, as well as its cleansing and healing properties. Also known as Ambrosia," the food of the gods & goddesses," honey was able to satisfy the hunger of even the most discerning residents at the famous home of the gods on Mt. Olympus, where honey nectar was often served as a drink in celebrations. Honey was more than just a sweet treat, however, there are several references in Greek mythology in which honey is used by the gods and goddesses as a balm, to bestow immortality on mere mortals. Honey was also used as a beauty product by the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, as is immortalized in the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, where the goddess is described as pampering herself with a honey-scented oil:

"...there the Graces bathed her and anointed her with ambrosian oil such as is rubbed on deathless gods, divinely sweet, and made fragrant for her sake."

About Bath Petals
Bath Petals is a Los Angeles, California manufacturer of 100% all-natural Spa Products, inspired by aromatherapy traditions around the world. The hand-crafted line of natural soap, shower gel, bath salts, body oil, body butter, and salt scrub is made in the same traditions first used by ancient civilizations, and is available in eight delicious essential oil scents, including Greek Honey Mint. Bath Petals products are available in high end stores, spas and online at www.bathpetals.com. These delicious Greek-inspired products are perfect for celebrating health and physical beauty at home with a spa ritual. Cool down and celebrate the Ancient Games by cleansing, soaking, scrubbing and moisturizing with Bath Petals fun Greek-inspired all-natural products. All Greek Honey Mint Products are 20% off through the end of August at www.bathpetals.com/catalog

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