Bathing with Herbs an Ancient Tradition

What a beautiful treatment for pampering the body and enhancing overall moods.

Looking back in time we know that taking an herbal bath was quite common among the primeval Romans and Greeks.  Both men and women took these baths.  Women mainly did so for enhanced beauty and to aid the skin’s moisture levels.

Today bathing with herbs seems like something from the past but in our home, it’s a time we all treasure.  We only wish we had a large bathing pool like the one shown in the movie, but our small tub does the trick and requires much fewer herbs  I am sure.

There is no secret mixture as you can bath in Chamomile if you wanted to and that would be perfectly fine.  I have tried many different herbs for different reasons but the bath mixture we use the most at home is made of the following organic herbs that I mixed together myself: lavender flowers, rosemary, yarrow flowers, red and pink rose petals and chamomile.

I slowly steep about half a cup of equal parts of each of the herbs above in 4 cups of water.  Once a strong mixture is made (usually in about 20 minutes after) I drain and pour into the bathtub.  I then take the strained herbs and place them in a nylon sock or muslin sachet bag then drop that in the bath water and scrub with it.  Scrubbing with the herbs will release any oils and medicinal properties still in the herbs and will leave your skin soft and clean.

This bath is so relaxing and smells absolutely wonderful.  You will feel that your skin has a slight moisture coating due to the oils released from the rose petals.  Our children enjoy bathing in mommy’s herbal bath as well.  It helps add moisture to their skin naturally since we don’t ever use lotions after a bath since the skin is usually nice and smooth from the herbs.

Need to learn more? Curious about how to make other herbal baths, herbal medicine or medicinal oils? Comment below to find out about the classes and consultations I offer. Click here to read from my testimonials page.

Below I also listed a variety of herbal baths you might find helpful. Omit the use of EOs in these baths. I only share the recipes for the baths containing whole herbs. 

The source for the information below is herbs2000.com

Varieties of herbal baths

“Circulation bath

As the name suggests, taking a circulation herbal bath is beneficial for people enduring all types of circulation symptoms and this includes acne too. A circulation bath may be used as a footbath for healing high temperatures, problems of the feet, muscular pain and even rheumatism (any disorder of the back that is distinguished by acute pain).
The different herbs required for a circulation bath comprise two grams of birch leaves, two grams of rosemary and two grams of thyme. Boil these herbs for around 10 to 20 minutes and then filter the liquid or decoction. Next add approximately 70 ml of foam bath emulsifier, 15 drops essential oils extracted from rosemary, 15 drops of Siberian fir and 10 drops of lavender for aroma. Now the bath is ready for use.

Relaxing bath

Taking a relaxing bath helps to alleviate tension and also facilitates sleep.
To prepare the bath, first make an infusion of different herbs such as three grams of chamomile flowers and three grams of lavender flowers. Filter the infusion and mix around 70 ml of it in foam bath emulsifier. Next, add 15 drops of essential oils extracted from Roman chamomile, 15 drops of lavender and 10 drops of sandalwood oil.

Sensitive skin bath

The name of this bath suggests that it is good for people with susceptible skin.
In order to prepare the bath, first make an infusion with three grams of rose petals and three grams of chamomile flowers. Filter the infusion and add around 70 ml of it into the foam bath emulsifier. Next, mix 15 drops of essential oils extracted from mandarin, 10 drops of sandalwood oil and 15 drops of lavender oil.

Vitamin bath

The vitamin bath taken regularly helps to reinforce the essential vitamins in the body.
To prepare the bath mix 25 ml of foam bath emulsifier in 68 ml of steaming water. Add three grams of vitamin E oil, one gram vitamin A oil and one gram vitamin C when the foam bath is below 40° Celsius. You may also add 40-50 drops of essential oils of your personal preference for additional benefits.

Salt bath

A salt bath, especially for the full body, helps to replenish the essential salts in our body. At the same time, a salt bath is also beneficial for the skin as it acts as a cleanser.
For a whole body bath, you require one kg of coarse sea salt, while for a foot or hand bath you need to add 200 ml of the sea salt in three to five liters of water. For effective results, keep yourself into the salty water for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Soda bicarbonate bath

Taking a soda bicarbonate bath is extremely beneficial for people suffering from eczema, gout, rheumatism, pain, and psoriasis (an ordinary persistent and inciting skin disease distinguished by flaking patches) as it helps to diminish acidity in our physical system.
If you are taking a soda bicarbonate bath for the first time use 20 gram of bicarbonate of soda and subsequently increase the amount to 100 gram for a full body bath. On the other hand, use just one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda for a foot or hand bath. For best results, keep your body, hand or feet (depending on which bath you are taking) soaked in as hot water as you can endure for approximately five to 15 minutes. If you are taking a foot bath, wear warm woolen socks immediately after the bath and leave it for 30 minutes to one hour.

Tea tree bath

Taking tea tree bath regularly helps to maintain healthy blood circulation. For best results, it is advisable that you take a tea tree bath on every other night and alternately with a soda bath. Depending on your preference, you may also interchange with a garlic bath.
To prepare a tea tree bath, add five to ten drops of tea tree oil in a small bowl of water and apply it on your body.

Treatment for fever

Consuming flowers of elderberry herb ( in herbal tea form) helps in lowering the body temperature. In addition, you may take foot bath for improving the blood circulation using vital oils and herbs. It may be mentioned here that the foot bath must be quite sizzling and the feet need to be immersed in this hot water for around 10 to 15 minutes. Following the foot bath, wash your feet with cold water and dry them properly. Later, apply balms to keep the feet tender.

Clay bath

Taking clay bath regularly helps to tone the skin as well as the mind.
Take one to two tablespoonfuls of clay blended with 50 ml of apple vinegar and put it in your bath water.

Garlic bath

Prepare a garlic bath by squashing 10 garlic cloves either in Red Turkey oil or any vegetable oil. Store up the substances in a bottle for around three to four days and occasionally (at least twice daily) stir or shake it. Next, filter the substance using a fine cotton cloth to ensure that no solid garlic material is left behind in the oil. It is possible to store the oil for around three to four months and use whenever necessary by adding preservatives to it. However, while preserving it remember to add at least one percent of vitamin E oil to the substance. For a whole body bath, you need two to three tablespoonfuls of the oil, and two to three teaspoonfuls of it are also required for a foot bath.”

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Over the years I have formulated about a dozen herbal baths for our friends and family to enjoy on a regular basis.  These baths are available for subscribers in our winter catalog. Here are some of the baths we have available:

I’m an Organic Baby Bath™ (organic loose herbs) – This bath came about because I wanted to treat my children to a nonchemical bath that would soothe and cleanse their skin. We enjoy these baths weekly especially our new baby, he loves taking herbal baths with mommy. For centuries Rosemary has been used to help with various skin and scalp disorders.  Rose petals, Chamomile and Yarrow have many properties including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.  You don’t have to be a baby to enjoy this bath; it’s a great herbal bath for everyone!

Fever Assist Bath & Tea™ (organic loose herbs) This organic herbal bath is made with herbs that promote perspiration which in turn cools the body down resulting in a lowering of fever.  This mix can also be brewed into a tea for the same effect.  Herbal Fever Assist is a must have in our home with our children.  I have made the tea and bath for myself and my family anytime a low grade fever is present.  As with all things, you must find out what the fever is indicating about the body, so medical attention should never be avoided.

Mama’s Rescue bath (organic loose herbs) – for preparing a fabulous bath that will ease the symptoms of a congestion and discomfort when dealing with a seasonal bug.  We enjoy these baths anytime we are under the weather as a safe way to renewed wellness.

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