The Copper Collection is Here! Introducing Sacred Mama Organics® New Line of Healing, The Copper Collection
With a focus on elemental materials, we are so happy to present two Gua Sha tools, one shaped for the body and one for the face. The Egyptian Goddess tool is perfectly shaped for the face, while the larger Roman Goddess tool ergonomically fits in the palm of your hand for use on the whole body. Since its origins, Gua Sha has been so much more than an aesthetic experience. It is a holistic tool that opens the door for emotional healing, removes toxins, breaks up and eliminates stagnant balls of tension from the face, neck, and body—and so much more.
I began my own Gua Sha journey using this healing practice for bodywork to relieve inflammation and muscle pain, improve lymphatic drainage and digestion, and shed stuck energy and emotions deep inside my body's fascia and cells. From this practice, I experienced an immediate release of tension that I was holding in my mind and body.
Our Gua Sha Collection is perfectly designed to complement the body and the face, so you can experience this release and relaxation for yourself.
Our Beloved Copper
There are countless Gua Sha tools on the market, and they’re typically made of different elements from crystal or stone, bone, ivory, porcelain, and metals. In designing the Gua Sha Collection, it was vital for me to choose an element found in nature that was healing by way of energy. Copper only made sense.
Copper is one of the seven metals of alchemy and is said to be the oldest metal dating back to 9,000 B.C. Celebrated for its sacred properties, copper is both durable and malleable and has high electrical and thermal conductivity levels.
Ancient civilizations viewed metals as mysterious materials found deep inside the earth and believed them to be full of spiritual powers, with the potential for creation as well as destruction. To understand the spiritual meaning of something, we generally look at color as a vehicle of healing.
Copper’s bright metallic luster can range in colors from orange, pink, brown, green due to oxidation and reveals a blue-green flame when burning. Copper activates and opens the root (red) and sacral (orange) chakras, stimulating the energies of intuition, sexuality, desire, and vitality. It is a grounding metal affirming our connection to the earth. Copper is also known as the metal of the magician and a "bestower" of good.
Copper embodies the nurturing aspect of women and their youthfulness. Linked to Venus, both the planet and the Roman Goddess, copper is associated with matters of love and lust. It symbolizes characteristics like charisma, feminine beauty, creativity, affection, thoughtfulness, empathy, balance, and harmony. Venus and copper suggest that love is stronger than anything else. Together, they rule the face, skin, and kidneys.
Copper is found in the bloodstream of all humans and animals, and it has the important function of carrying toxic substances to the excretory system for elimination. What’s interesting to note, during pregnancy, copper levels soar in a woman’s bloodstream to form the woman’s red blood cells and her baby's heart, blood vessels, and skeletal and nervous systems. This only reinforces the powerful and guiding force of this precious and sacred element.
As it relates to skin health, copper has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Many of its benefits include:
- Neutralizes toxins
- Balances blood flow and energy
- Promotes the breakdown and elimination of fat cells
- Helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate as well as lowers bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Helps in the production of new and healthy skin cells
The What and Why of Gua Sha
Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese and East Asian healing technique. Gua means to “scrape or rub,” and Sha refers to “reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash” (also known as petechiae). The intention behind Gua Sha is to raise the petechiae for the body to heal from injury or chronic pain. This technique can be used successfully on the back, neck, shoulder, legs, abdomen, feet, hands, and all around the joints.
Modern Gua Sha use has made its way to facial Gua Sha techniques. The premise behind facial Gua Sha practice is all about bringing movement and circulation to the skin to reduce inflammation and puffiness, clear congestion and remove toxins, promote blood circulation, improve fine lines, tone and sculpt the face, and so much more!
The root of Gua Sha practice lies in meridian theory, the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Meridian theory is based on qi, or life force, which flows through 670 meridian points similar to those used in acupuncture. On the face, there are 60 meridian points that each corresponds to another part of the body, including internal organs. (Read our article on face mapping here). Ten of these facial meridian points are fundamental to Gua Sha meridian facial massage, illustrating why Gua Sha is also known as meridian massage.
Facial Gua Sha is like exercise for the face because it increases oxygen uptake. A regular Gua Sha practice can help keep the skin radiant, toned, and healthy-looking by penetrating and lengthening the fascia, moving the lymph, and eliminating the toxins. When pain and tension are released from the body, our soul can dance freely.
The many benefits of a facial Gua Sha practice include:
- Improves muscle tone and breaks down scar tissue
- Enhances the application of oils
- Aids in relaxing muscle tension and TMJ
- Smooths fine lines
- Reduces puffiness and dark circles
- Encourages skin cell turnover
Our Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is often overlooked in the body, but it is one of the most essential systems in a Gua Sha practice related to our circulatory system. The lymphatic system involves the tissues and organs that help produce and store cells that aid your body in fighting against infection and disease. The lymph nodes are a part of this system and are bean-shaped organs containing lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Their role is to filter toxins and prevent entry into the vascular system.
Humans have over 500 lymph nodes spread throughout the body, with more than 50 in the neck and face. The lymph and blood flow always talk to each other. But, unlike the heart, the lymphatic system does not have its own pumping mechanism. This is why it’s so important to help guide the lymph fluid through gentle massage and exercise. When the lymph isn’t flowing properly, you may notice that your skin may be dull, dehydrated, or increase in flare-ups. The practice of Gua Sha can improve lymph movement, thereby improving blood flow and revealing healthy, glowing skin.
How to Use Your Gua Sha
Skin tension lines reflect internal tension within the skin and are mainly produced by the connective tissue of the dermis, revealing external muscle tension. With 43 muscles in the face, that can add up to a lot of tension. Practicing with the Egyptian Goddess Gua Sha Tool will help reduce this muscle tension and, in turn, relax the lines on your face.
When practicing Gua Sha on your face, you also want to incorporate your scalp, neck, and décolletage. Begin at your décolletage and glide towards your neck, gently working your way up to the hairline.
To begin, hold the Gua Sha tool at an angle so that it is slightly flat on your skin. Use downward motions at the base of your ear and down your neck to drain the toxins. Gently continue this motion at and across your collarbone, down and outward on your décolletage. Continue these gentle strokes upward and outward on your face, back down to your neck and décolletage. Always end your Gua Sha experience with downward motions on your neck across the collarbone to drain lymphatic fluid.
We have many lifting points and meridian lines that run from the forehead to the scalp, so you always want to treat the scalp in order to treat the forehead. Start at your hairline right above your eye and comb back. These movements are key for reducing forehead lines.
Pair your Gua Sha treatment with your favorite facial oil for smooth, light pressured strokes and better absorption of your oil. The frequency of your Gua Sha practice will depend on your skin type. Start a few times a week and go from there. Gua Sha should not be used on broken skin or moles, those who have bleeding disorders, or who may be allergic to copper and/or metals. Always follow your intuition!
Caring For Your Gua Sha Collection
Our Gua Sha tools are 99.9% high-quality copper, with trace minerals of zinc & iron, and are completely free from lead and toxic heavy metals. Your copper tool will come packaged in a linen bag that is 100% biodegradable. Included is a soft cloth that consists of organic hemp and bamboo to keep your Gua Sha tool clean and protected when not in use. After use, grab a gentle castile soap and wipe your tool clean. Your copper tool may turn a lovely, distinctive patina, only adding to the beauty of this magical and sacred element.
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