Herbs in the bath hydrate and soothe the skin, but it’s not much fun having a bath with twigs and leaves floating around in it.; they will clog your plumbing if not laboriously picked out at the end of your relaxing bath, destroying the mood and mystique.
It is much better to use one of the following methods.
- Put a handful of herbs in a pan, cover with water, add one or two tablespoons of cider vinegar, cover with a lid and simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes. Strain (put the herbs in your compost bucket) and pour the wonderfully rich herb soup into the bath, or sponge it over your body when you have finished showering. The cider vinegar creates more properties from the herbs than water alone.
- An alternative is to chop the herbs and tie them in a piece of fine cloth or a muslin bag, hang the bundle under hot water as it’s running and then use it is a washcloth.
- If you are in a hurry or don’t have excess to fresh herbs, you can use herbal tea bags, either dropped into the bath and squeezed well, or made into a strong infusion as in the first method above.
| Bath mitts accompanied by a big jar of herbal mix make a nice gift for family and friends to use in the bath or shower. To make a mitt you will need a piece of toweling about 8 in x20 in (20 cm x50 cm). Blanket stitch or machine zigzag along one long edge (this becomes the wrist edge, or the mitt’s opening). Cut into three mitt shapes then stitch the three shapes together around three sides, leaving the previously zigzagged edges free. You now have a mitt with two pockets—one for the herb mixture and one for your hand. You can sew a loop on one corner for hanging the mitt up to dry. |
The following preparations are for mixtures of crumbled, dried herbs to use in the bath. The quantities are quite large so that you can keep them on hand ready to use. Fresh herbs are lovely to use, as the perfume is usually more intense, but unless you intend to dry the surplus, the recipe should be reduced to an amount suitable for only one bath.
- The measures are in cups. You can use a teacup or coffee cup that holds 1 cup (250ml) of water if you don’t have a set of measuring cups.
- The essential oils are optional but they intensify both the perfume and the therapeutic effect of the bath. Mix the dried herbs thoroughly and sprinkle the essential oil evenly through the herbs, then mix again. Powdered dried orris root or clary saga added to these mixtures helps to fix the perfume.
QUICKIE HERBAL BATH
Use herbal tea bags to make a very strong brew. Tip the tea in the bath and fold the used bags in a piece of cheesecloth to use as a body washer.
SPIRIT OF YOUTH
If you are feeling jaded, older than your years, or need a “pick me up” try the following bath mixture of dried herbs.
3 cups dried, crumbled lavender
1 cup dried, crumbled rosemary
2 cups dried, crumbled peppermint
1 cup dried, crumbled comfrey
1 dropperful peppermint essential oil
To make and use
- Mix the crumbled herbs and oil together well to combine.
- Store in a tightly sealed, labeled container.
- Use ½ – ½ cup of the mixture (about a handful) for each bath.
SOFT TOUCH
When your skin feels sore and dry and your mind feels “scratchy” this bath will make your skin feel like silk, and will calm your mind and soothe the heart.
½ cup bicarbonate of soda
4 cups rolled oats or oatmeal
2 cups bran
2 heaped tablespoons wholemeal flour
1 cup dried milk powder
Dropperful lavender essential oil
To make and use
- Combine all the dry ingredients and mix together well
- Drizzle the essential oil over the mixture while stirring well to combine.
- Store in a tightly sealed container.
- Use ½ – ½ cup of the mixture for each bath.
DEODORANT BATH
This is gently deodorising for a sweet-smelling body.
2 cups dried lovage root, finely chopped
2 cups dried lavender, crumbled
½ cup dried rosemary, crumbled
½ cup dried saga, crumbled
½ cup dried thyme,crumbled
½ dropperful patchouli essential oil
½ dropperful orange essential oil
To make and use
- Mix the herbs well and drizzle the combined oils over the mixture while stirring.
- Store in a tightly sealed labeled container.
- Use ½ – ½ cup of the mixture for each bath.
QUICK DEODORANT BATH
This is a simple infusion bath. The herbs can be used fresh but if you don’t have them straight from the garden, you can use dry herbs. They will not have quite the same feel but they will still freshen the body. Use 2-3 tablespoons of dry herbs for each ½ cup fresh herbs.
½ cup chopped lavender (stems and flowers if possible)
½ cup chopped thyme leaves
½ cup chopped rosemary leaves
1 muslin bag
1 quart (1 liter) water
To make and use
- Use a small muslin bag or the toe end of an pair of tights (pantyhose). Add the fresh or dried herbs to the bag and tie off well.
- Being the water to the boil and add the bag to the water and put on the lid. Allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the bag from the water and allow it to cool slightly. Do not discard the water as this is the infusion.
- Add the infusion and bag to your bath and top up with hot water. You can use the bag of herbs as a washcloth if you wish.
Herbal baths nourish and rejuvenate your body. You should be aware of what goes into the products you use. So whether you’re run down or stressed out, whether you ache or itch, there is a wide selection of herbs and oils to fulfill your needs.