A number of the herbs that might be growing in your garden, on your kitchen windowsill or lurking in a bottle in your spice cupboard can be easily added to your bath. Herbal tea bags from health food shops are also a good option and are in a form that is easily added to your bath. A few drops of a good essential aromatherapy oil will also provide scent and succor to your soul.
If you are using fresh plant material, a handful (use a smaller quantity if you are using dried herbs)of your chosen herb or combination of herbs in a muslin bag (or the toe of a clean pair of old tights) hung over the hot tap to allow the water to run through it, as you are filling your bath is an easy way to add herbs to your bathing experience. If you like, you could mix the herbs with a small quantity of porridge oats. This will make the water milky and your skin soft. (One of your Granny's old beauty tips and good if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis - try this with some chamomile to relieve itching - although don't have the water too hot and don't use chamomile if you are allergic to daisy-like flowers - oat baths on their own are very good for itching skin).
Alternatively you could make an infusion using 50g of dried herbs or 100g of fresh in 600ml of boiling water - place all the ingredients in a heat proof jug, cover and leave to stand for 30 minutes before straining and adding to your bath. Even easier, use a couple of herbal tea bags to brew your infusion.
A few suggestions for bath herbs
- For a more stimulating soak, you could try basil, fennel, mint, lavender, lemon verbena, sage or thyme.
- Relax in a bath of chamomile, vervain or catmint.
- For a more healing experience, marigold petals, mint and yarrow
- For relieving fatigue and aching limbs try a few bay leaves or add some rosemary.
Won't improve your singing though!!
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or any herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable source. Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine