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Herbal Bath Recipes
This is a recipe for an herbal bath called Magic Water.
Mix a handful of dried lavender flowers, dried rosemary leaves, dried mint, chopped comfrey roots, and thyme, and boil in one quart of water. Strain and pour liquid into bath water. These herbs will nourish and soften skin.
Add milk, liquid or powdered, to the bath to counteract hard water and smooth the skin.
Calendula, comfrey, and chamomile can be used seperately or together for an astringent bath that is especially helpful for those with oily or blemished skin. They also can be infused and mixed with a decoction of distilled water and witch hazel bark to make a facial cleanser. Calendula and chamomile are particularly useful for young children and babies.
Dried lavender flowers, added to the bath, offer a fragrant soak and a mild astringent cleansing. Lavender is antibacterial as well. This is a good choice for young children and colicky babies.
Elder flowers steeped in hot water make a gently cleansing bath with only a slight floral scent. They also are considered sleep inducing and relaxing to the nerves.
Bath Salts #1
3 drops lavender EO
3 drops grapefruit EO
2 drops juniper EO
2 cups sea salt
Add about 1/2 cup to bath water.
Bath Salts #2
3 drops sandalwood EO
3 drops patchouli EO
3 drops lavender EO
2 cups sea salt
Add about 1/2 cup to bath water.
Lavender Salt Bath
In a muslin bag, spoon several tablespoons of epson salts together with baking soda and lavender flowers. Allow to steep in warm water until the salts dissolve.
Lavender Rose Bath Bag
Mix together equal parts of rose petals, lavender and chamomile and place in a muslin bag. Let steep in a tub of warm water and then enjoy the scented bath.
Herbs for a Stimulating Bath
A combination of any of these herbs can provide a wonderful lift at the end of a hectic day: Basil, bay leaves, fennel, marjoram, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme (sounds like an Italian meal), mint, nettle, pine needles, lavender, lemon verbena, calendula or vetiver root.
Herbs for a Tonic Bath
Have more day left to deal with than you have energy to do it with? You might need this type of bath which yields the most benefit if repeated each evening for several evenings in a row. Try comfrey, alfalfa, parsley and orange peel in equal parts. Or equal parts of rose petals, orange blossoms and lavender. After several evening soaks you just might end the day with a little energy surplus.
Herbal Bath Splash
For an invigorating bath, gather together three to four sprigs of fresh lemon basil, lavender, jasmine and rosemary. Tie this bouquet with twine or ribbon and hang from your faucet over the tub. Run steamy hot water over the herbs. Then add a few drops of bergamot essential oil to the bathwater. Feel tension melt away as you breath in the fresh aromas.
I grew up with six brothers. That's how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom.
Bob Hope
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Virginia law forbids bathtubs in the house; tubs must be kept in the yard.
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