Hydrotherapy is a modern word for an ancient remedy. From olden times, people have submerged themselves in hot water to cleanse, refresh, rejuvenate, repair, and relax. Adding herbal blends to hot water enhances the natural healing and soothing qualities of a hot bath. Bathing in water infused with the goodness of herbs, essential oils and other healthful ingredients is a lovely, healing way to care for yourself or another. Herbal baths can be extremely therapeutic. When you are immersed in water, the pores of the skin are open and receptive to the healing properties of the herbs; it’s a highly effective method of treatment.
Choose your bath herbs according to your needs:
- Eucalyptus in a steaming bath breaks up the congestion of a cold or flu without drugs. It is also antiseptic and astringent.
- Lavender is added to both baths and facial steaming for its stimulating and cleansing attributes. It relieve insomnia and will leave you sleepy.
- Rosemary relieves fatigue, promotes relaxation and is a cleansing tonic for the skin.
- The lemony scent of lemon balm is a wonderful bath herb. Unlike its use as a relaxing herb, in the case of a bath, it is considered a stimulating addition. It is calming and helps to induce sleep as well as relieve nervous agitation.
- Rose Petals helps to calm and soothe the heart while relieving inflammation and toning the skin.
- Chamomile gently eases the nerves and soothes the skin.
- Grated ginger enhances blood-flow to all parts of your body.
- Mint stimulates and heals your skin.
HERE ARE SOME EFFECTIVE HERBAL BATH COMBINATIONS/INGREDIENTS:
- SKIN SOFTENING: Chamomile, Plantain, Linden, Rose Petals, Ground Almonds, Calendula flowers, Chickweed, eucalyptus leaves, lemon balm, rolled oats, espsom salts, celtic sea salt.
- RELAXATION: agrimony herb, burdock root, chamomile flowers, comfrey leaf, elder flowers, hop flowers, hyssop herb, jasmine flowers, lavender flowers, lemon balm, linden flowers, marjoram leaf, marshmallow root, meadowsweet herb, mugwort herb, mullein leaf, passion flower herb, rose petals, sage leaf, sassafras root bark, slippery elm bark, valerian root, vervain herb.
- MUSCLE PAIN: Chamomile, Bay Leaves, Rose Petals, Sage, Rosemary, Oregano.
- REJUVINATION: angelica root, basil leaf, bay leaf, comfrey leaf, eucalyptus leaf, fennel seeds, lavender flowers, lemon balm, lemon peel, lemon verbena, lovage root, marjoram leaf, meadowsweet herb, nettle leaf, peppermint leaf, rosemary leaf, sage leaf, savory leaf, spearmint leaf, thyme leaf.
- STIMULATING: Mint leaves, lemon grass, rolled oats, epsom salts, celtic sea salts, a dash of lemon grass, mint essential oils.
Note: You can readily add ingredients like milk powder, oats flour, gram flour, honey, almond milk, coconut milk, green tea and basil to all/any herbal bath recipes as base ingredients.
WAYS TO USE HERBS IN BATH:
DECOCTION – Make a decoction by adding about half a cup of herbs to about 2 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes, then strain and add to bathwater. Soak for 20 minutes. Decoctions are good for roots and woody herbs.
HANG – Mix up all the herbs you wish to have in your recipe and keep it aside. Take a tea bag filler and add the mixture in it. Staple the open ends and tie a ribbon or thread on the top like a handle to hang it. Hang them on the tap while the hot water is running, making sure the water is running through them. Once the tub is filled, let them float around.
DIRECT – If you hate preparing for herbal bath or find it time consuming and are fine with floating stuff in your bathwater, you could just throw a handful of herbs directly into the hot bathwater. Let it steep for 15 minutes and soak in it for around 20 minutes.