After Christmas, I usually feel like I was run over by a truck. After the stress of holiday shopping, the grueling roundtrip in holiday traffic to NorCal, and family visits galore, I just want to do nothing but hit snooze well into the new year. Fortunately, friends told me about the little piece of heaven on Melrose, Elixir Tonics & Teas, right across the street from industry schmooze central, Urth Caffe.

Elixir has great tonic drinks and tea. I like the Depth Recharger, perfect for the terribly exhausted. Virtual Buddha is also good for a calming state. You can get these hot or sparkling cold and enjoy it in the zen sanctuary out back, complete with fountains and a Buddha statue.

Not only is Elixir well-known for its apothecary wonders and in-store herbalist, but this little tea house also offers reflexology and chair massages as well as tarot card readings.

Reflexology: A well-orchestrated massage of the feet, hands, and for maximum effect, the region of the ears as well, quickly induces a luxuriously deep sense of release, relaxation and well being.

Chair Massage: Lean into a seated fetal position while the practioner releases the tension from your back, neck, shoulders, head and arms.

Tarot Card Reading: You have three psychics to choose from: a certified Reiki master/hypnotherapist, a studio reader for KIIS FM, and a clairvoyant whose readings have been likened to psychic massages.

Nothing sounds better to me than resetting myself for the new year by going over to Elixir for a sip of calming Virtual Buddha, a stress-relieving foot massage and perhaps a tarot card reading about what I’ll have to look forward to next year.

_8612 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, California 90069
(310) 657-9300
store hours: Mon-Sat 9am-12am; Sun 10am-10pm
Mini-Spa hours: Mon-Fri 1pm-7pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-7pm

Price: for massages–$30 per 20 minutes, available in 20-, 40-, 60-minute increments;
for tarot card reading–$25 for 15 minutes