Bathing with Essential Oils From Herbs

by Sharon Hopkins

Set the stage for your bath with a clean fresh bathroom. Keep clean towels, bath gels, herbs, loofah, etc handy. Choose relaxing music, light aromatic candles around you. All in all make sure that everything you need for your luxury is within arms reach.

While filling tub with warm water, create a bag of your favourite herbs to be used in bathing. It is ideal that you give your skin a quick loofah brush head to toe before you start. To create an herb bag, fill muslin cloth or even an old stocking with your favourite herbs. Dip it in your bath, letting the herbs gently soak in the water. Bath salts, citrus leaves, dried rose petals, dried lavender flowers to name a few to create an herb bag. If you don’t have the fondness of creating your own bag of herbs, you can definitely buy ready made herb bags.

Not more than 5 drops of essential oils should be used in a bath. Dilute it with milk or carrier oil. Common herbs and its essential oils used in bath for calming properties.

- Black Pepper – relief for aching muscles
- Clary Sage - as a perk me up and premenstrual tension
- Eucalyptus - for respiratory problems
- Geranium - for very dry or itchy skin, eczema and PMS
- Jasmine - when you wish to feel luxurious
- Lavender - dry skin, eczema, sprains, hot flashes, headaches, over work, insomnia
- Orange - to pep you up
- Rosemary - to get you going in the morning, a quick pick-me-up in the evening. Also good for aches and sore muscles.
- Chamomile, Lavender or roses are good for dry, delicate or irritated skin.
- Rosemary, Calendula and Thyme for oily skin.
- Lemon Balm - good for hyperactive children
- Citrus & Lavender - soothing and therapeutic properties
- Ylang Ylang - exfoliates and moisturizes the skin
- Apricot and Amber - moisturises, restores softness and suppleness to skin.
- Chamomile - aids in relief of aching muscles and nervousness
- Eucalyptus - opens the pores and the vapours from the bath help to clear the breathing passages.

Make sure that your bath time is a time of solitude. Just let yourself luxuriate in the watery haven. And don’t forget to put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.