Cellulite is a skin condition that primarily targets women over the age of 35. It is characterized by fatty deposits of dimpled skin that appear on the thighs, buttocks, hips, upper arm and stomach. Bruce Katz, M.D., a clinical professor of dermatology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, attributes cellulite to hormonal changes in the female body as well as the loss of elasticity of fibrous tissue in the skin called septa. A number of remedies can be used to get rid of cellulite.
Aromatherapy Massage
"The Magic of Massage" author Tanushree Podder writes that one of the most effective remedies for getting rid of cellulite is aromatherapy massage. She notes that aromatherapy massage helps to get rid of and prevent cellulite by increasing blood circulation, dissolving the fat in cellulite cells and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
Kathi Keville and Mindy Green also recommend aromatherapy massage to get rid of cellulite. In their book "Aromatherapy: a Complete Guide to the Healing Art," they suggest massaging the affected area with a combination of 10 drops each of cypress, geranium and grapefruit essential oils, 5 drops each of juniper and fennel oil and 4 ounces of a carrier oil.
Dietary Changes
In the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine," Jacqueline L. Longe recommends treating cellulite with a number of dietary changes. She suggests drinking lots of water to cleanse the digestive system and flush toxins from the body. Eat a high-fiber, low-fat, low-sugar diet with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits and whole grains, while avoiding caffeine, alcohol and highly processed foods. She also recommends avoiding salty foods, which increase the body's water retention and worsen the appearance of cellulite.
Coffee Grounds
You can use coffee grounds as a topical remedy for cellulite, according to Lesley-Ann Stanghon. In her book "The Handy Butler," she suggests applying warm coffee grounds to the affected areas and then wrapping them in moist seaweed, which is available at health food stores. Cover the coffee grounds and seaweed with plastic wrap and leave on for 30 minutes. Unwrap the plastic and seaweed, and then rinse off the coffee grounds while massaging the area.
References
- WebMD: Can You Beat Cellulite?
- Magic of Massage, Tanushree Podder; 2002
- "Aromatherapy: a Complete Guide to the Healing Art;" Kathi Keville and Mindy Green; 1995
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine;" Jacqueline L. Longe; 2004
- "The Handy Butler;" Lesley-Ann Stanghon; 2010
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