Taking a bath is one of the best ways to indulge yourself and promote self-healing at the same time. A tranquil, relaxing bath can work wonders on your mood. A hot bath can help to combat the early onset of ailments such as the common cold. A quick, cold bath can invigorate and provide a "pick me up" when we feel like we are in a slump.

The skin is our largest organ of elimination, so we can help our body's natural healing ability along by introducing natural bath products and essential oils to our bath time.

Types of Baths

Hot baths: 38 – 40˚C (100-104˚F) for 10-15 minutes only. This bath increases perspiration and the rate of breathing, reduces fevers and eliminates toxins. Wrap up in blankets after the bath and drink the appropriate herb teas during and after.

Warm baths: 27-34˚C (80-93˚F) soak for 20 – 60 minutes. This bath is calming and relaxing.

Cold baths: 21 – 27˚C (70-80˚F) soak for 2-5 minutes only. This bath improves breathing and muscle tone, decreases fatigue, improves thyroid function, tones skin and relieves constipation.

Bathing with Herb Oils

Don’t be tempted to use more than 8 – 10 drops of essential oil in a full bath.

To avoid floating unmixed oil its best to mix the oil with either 1 tablespoon full cream, milk or almond oil before adding. Run the bath and add oils just before getting into the bath or the precious essences may evaporate before you can get the full benefit.

Oil Suggestions for Baths

Antibacterial: 3 drops tea tree, 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops thyme, 1 drop lemon

Antiviral: 3 drops tea tree, 3 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops lavender, 1 drop thyme

Deodorizing: 4 drops sage, 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops tea tree, 2 drops peppermint

Dry skin: 4 drops chamomile, 4 drops geranium, 2 drops patchouli

Greasy skin: 5 drops lemon, 3 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops cypress

Spotty skin: 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops thyme, 4 drops lavender, 2 drops chamomile

Head clearing: 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop thyme, 2 drops rosemary

Hydrating: 2 drops chamomile, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops carrot, 2 drops geranium, 2 drops rose (optional)

Just A-h-h-h-h-h!: 1 drop lavender, 2 drops grapefruit, 2 drops geranium, 2 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops patchouli

Rejuvenating: 4 drops lavender, 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops peppermint

Relaxing: 4 drops chamomile, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops ylang ylang

Rise and shine: 2 drops bergamot, 3 drops orange, 3 drops lemon, 1 drop peppermint, 1 drop cinnamon

Slimming: 3 drops sage, 3 drops petitgrain, 2 drops grapefruit, 2 drops lavender

Mild sun burn: 8 – 10 drops lavender

Bath Lotions and Vinegars

Nothing is cheaper, easier or more satisfying to make than these herbal vinegars. Vinegar restores the acid mantle to the skin, relieves dryness, itching and the pain of sunburn. Cider vinegar seems to have the most therapeutic properties but good quality white vinegar can be used. For skin tonics white vinegar is more gentle and refined.

If you really hate the smell of vinegar you can substitute vodka (mixed equally with water) or white wine. These last two are more expensive but the perfume of the oils is more apparent.

The bath herbal vinegars listed below may also be used as:

Hair rinses: add ½ cup (125 ml / 4 fl oz) of bath vinegar to 4 cups (1 litre / 32 fl oz) water

Skin tonics: add 1 tablespoon of bath vinegar to ½ cup (125 ml / 4 fl oz) water

After-shower friction rub: add ½ cup of bath vinegar to 1 cup of water.

Deodorant: use undiluted

Herbal Bath Vinegar

Mix 500 ml (16 fl oz) cider or white wine vinegar with 100 drops mixed or single essential oil. Choose from the following blends.

Lavender

• 100 drops lavender oil

Citrus Sensation

• 30 drops lemon
• 25 drops petitgrain
• 20 drops bergamot
• 20 drops orange
• 5 drops clove

Mint Tang

• 40 drops peppermint
• 40 drops spearmint
• 15 drops lavender
• 5 drops clove

Herb Spice

• 40 drops clary sage
• 40 drops rosemary
• 10 drops fennel
• 10 drops anise

Forest Fantasy

• 40 drops pine
• 20 drops hyssop
• 20 drops lemon
• 10 drops cypress
• 10 drops peppermint

Caution: sometimes essential oils in your bath can do more harm than good to your skin. The strong fragrance components can irritate your skin, especially in the vaginal area. Among the safer essential oils used in bath oils and milks are lavender, sandalwood, chamomile, spruce and rose. Citrus oils, as well as jasmine, bergamot, and sage have more irritation potential. Plant extracts and infusions can be used instead of oils.

Perfume Oil Bubble Bath

The oils for this recipe can be chosen from the suggestions for herbal bath vinegar.

• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) olive or almond oil

• 1 cup (250 ml / 8 fl oz) good quality shampoo or detergent

• 4 drops essential oil blend

Mix all ingredient s together very thoroughly. Bottle and invert bottle several times to mix contents before using. Slowly trickle ¼ - ½ cup of the mixture under a fast running tap to maximize the bubbles.

Bath Cream

This cream needs refrigeration and should be used within 2 weeks. It is easy to make and leaves the skin soft and moisturized. Don’t add it to very hot water or the egg will set and go stringy. The oil disperses in the water and doesn’t leave a greasy ring around the tub.

Lavender Cream

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon glycerin

• ½ cup dried milk powder

• 10 drops carrot oil

• 10 drops orange oil

• 20 drops lavender oil

• 2 cups water

Beat the egg, olive oil, glycerin and dried milk together in a bowl. Add the oils while beating.  Beat the water in, a little at a time. Store in the refrigerator. Add ¼ - ½ cup to bath water. Swoosh to disperse.

Bath Salts

Old Fashioned Girl

• 100 g (3 ⅓ oz) tartaric acid

• 100 g (3 ⅓ oz) bicarbonate of soda

• 50 g (1 ⅔ oz) arrowroot powder

• 4 drops lavender oil

• 2 drops clove oil

• 4 drops sandalwood oil

Mix the powders together well. Add the oils drop by drop, stirring all the time to prevent caking. Place all in a jar and shake daily for a few days. Sprinkle ¼ - ½ cup into the bath as it is running.

Bath Oil

Sleep Well Bath Oil

This oil is semi-dispersible which means the oil will almost dissolve in the bath water.

• 1 cup brandy or vodka

• 2 teaspoons chamomile oil

• 1 teaspoon lavender oil

• 1 teaspoon marjoram oil

• 1 teaspoon sandalwood oil

• 3 teaspoons glycerin

Mix all the ingredients together in a bottle and shake well. Add ½ - 1 teaspoon to the bath; any more and you might overdose on the powerful fragrance or you may even become enlightened and float off the planet! You’ll find your sleep will be refreshing.

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