Spa offers sweet sanctuary

The Edinburgh West End spa Chamomile Sanctuary is so new that it doesn't even have a sign on the door yet. I walked past it, twice, before being drawn in by the chocolate-brown Zen-like interior which differentiates it from the offices that line Alva Street.

It may look bijoux from the outside, but owners Justine Thompson and Jill Kinsella have managed to cram in all the luxuries of a top-notch spa – changing area, relaxation room, pedicure and nail bar – into two-storeys of a townhouse.

It's also the only place in Scotland to offer treatments using the luxury Sundari range of products, which follow the principles of ayurvedic medicine. The biggest selling point of this plant-based ingredient beauty brand, however, must surely be the fact that it's owned by supermodel Christy Turlington.

Hoping that an ounce of her perfection might rub off on me, I visited the premises for one of its signature Sundari (Sanskrit for "beautiful woman") facials.

Before my "spa journey" could begin, I filled out a form which would diagnose my skin as either vita, pitta or kapha – the three doshas that, according to this holistic therapy, can help define your "vital energy". Mine turned out to be a little bit mixed up, which may account for the fact that my complexion is dry in places and greasy in others.

I was in for a treat, anyway, as once my make-up had been removed, and my skin was squeaky clean, my therapist blended a custom-made mask, which she whipped up from ingredients that included crushed flowers. For something that sounds so hippyish, this had a surprising sting, which I took to mean that it was working some exfoliating magic. After this my skin was anointed with various oils, including a chamomile eye potion, before my therapist performed a "marma massage", which, according to ayurveda, can promote healing through the stimulation of vital points.

I'm not so sure about all that, but I do know that I felt completely relaxed after this treatment. In fact, I found it incredibly difficult to prise myself out of the lounger in Chamomile Sanctuary's low-lit den of a relaxation room.

This place may be hard to find, but it's also tricky to leave.

Sundari facial, 55 for 60 minutes (Chamomile Sanctuary, 4 Alva Street, Edinburgh, 0131-220 1000, www.chamomilesanctuary.com)

Renewal recipes

Chef Lawrence Keogh, pictured, has collaborated with renal dietician Diane Green to create a free cookbook and recipe cards, both of which are aimed at people living with kidney disease. Keogh, who underwent a kidney transplant at the age of 35, has used his experience to create dishes that are safe to eat without conflicting with any medication. These include Chinese spare ribs, garlic chilli prawns and Malvern pudding.

Kidney Care recipes and cookbook, free to download from www.kidneywellbeing.com

Face up to bedtime

It's been a while since we experienced a product as luxurious as Green People's Anti-ageing Facial Oil. This 99.9 per cent certified organic potion contains thistle seed, rosehip, rosemary and geranium oils – the latter of which is responsible for the utterly heavenly scent. Just a couple of drops smoothed onto the face before bedtime will make for peachy soft skin in the morning. Blend with their Green People Hydrating Toning Gel, 8.75, if you want a lighter daytime moisturiser.

Green People's Anti-ageing Facial Oil, 16.50 (www.greenpeople.co.uk, 01403 740350)

Go for it

Do you exercise after work? Then you might find that your energy levels are flagging by the time you make it along the road to the gym. If you don't have time to eat a banana, perhaps you should try one of the new Go Fast! energy shots. These dinky drinks contain a combination of herbs such as guarana, ginseng and gingko biloba, as well as caffeine. Best of all, unlike other energy drinks, they only contain five calories. Just make sure that you drink lots of water as well.

Go Fast! 1.29 (www.gofastsports.co.uk)

• This article was first published in The Scotsman on Saturday, May 1, 2010