Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal has opened an alchemy Bar, complete with a mix of antique and new glass bottles and jars, mixing bowls, and mortars and pestles.

Guests can take part in a wellness workshop to learn in-depth alchemy, and are able to work with a variety of herbs, fruit and spices to develop personal, individualised blends for body scrubs, face and hair masks and lip balms.

In the 60-minute hands-on session, guests learn about the distinct properties of the herbs and how to select the right ingredients for their blends. The emphasis is on local, in-season, organic ingredients from the resort’s gardens and surrounds.

Guests can also learn how to make everyday items, such as home fragrances, laundry and kitchen pharmacy products at the workshop.

The workshop is offered weekly on a complimentary basis, and limited to six guests. A three-hour Six Senses Spa Journey also uses the Alchemy Bar, and guests make their products along with their therapist.