FREESTONE, CA (October 25, 2004) To commemorate 20 years as the only enzyme bath spa outside of Japan, Osmosis will be introducing a seasonal bath infused with notes of locally grown Sonoma Wine Country lavender. Over the last decade, an increasing number of violet-hued fields are blooming alongside the area’s renowned vineyards. From “grosso” to “provence,” lavender is now thriving so much so that the ubiquitous herb has inspired the creation of the popular annual Sonoma Lavender Festival and the Matanzas Creek Winery’s Lavender Harvest Party.

A multipurpose healing agent almost as old as the history of man, the herb’s bewitching scent was said to have been used by Cleopatra to seduce Julius Cesaer and Mark Antony. Royal history has it that Charles VI of France demanded lavender filled pillows wherever he went. None other than Queen Elizabeth I drank 10 cups of lavender tea a day to ward off headaches and promote her sense of well-being. Today as an herbal medicine, lavender is widely touted for its balancing and restorative properties. An ideal addition to the traditional Osmosis enzyme bath, lavender’s sedative quality may help induce a restful night’s sleep and ease insomnia. Additionally, as an anti-inflammatory, the sweetly scented herb can soothe aches and pains.

Osmosis founder Michael Stusser opened the Japanese-inspired spa nearly 20 years ago after spending several years in Japan studying Zen and traditional gardening. There, Stusser discovered the healing powers of the enzyme bath while seeking help for a debilitating bout of sciatica. Used in Japan primarily as a clinical treatment for arthritis and rheumatism, the enzyme bath is a warm mixture of light, fragrant cedar fibers, rice bran, and over 600 active enzymes. Mingled together in a roomy redwood bath tub, the unique combination of ingredients ferments and heats naturally, generating soothing steam that heals body and soul. “The power of nature is at work in the enzyme bath, and you can feel it. Enzymes catalyze digestion, respiration, the immune system, and other systems of the human body,” says Stusser.

Available for a limited time in July 2005, the seasonal Osmosis Lavender Enzyme Bath will be $90. For reservations, a complete menu of services, or gift cards, please call (707) 823-8231 or visit www.osmosis.com. A healing sanctuary nestled in the rolling hills of Sonoma County, Osmosis offers calming meditation gardens, unique enzyme cedar baths with over 600 active enzymes imported from Japan, nurturing 75-minute massages, organic aromatherapy facials, and an environment in resonance with nature.