Herbal Remedies - Make Soothing Herbal Baths

Nothing cures the winter time blues and aids in stress management quite like an herbal bath. In my opinion, here's where herbal remedies can not only be the foundation of really healthy and good skin care -- but also be the foundation for a healthy and calm inner spirit.

Hydrotherapy is one indulgence that can keep anyone with a hectic life sane. This is one herbal remedy that everyone (including the male population) should experience regularly.

Now, some of us who have never taken a bath on the wild side, might have some misguided notions about herbal remedy baths. Thanks to Hollywood or Bollywood, and perhaps a few romance novels, it might seem like a romantic idea to sprinkle scented leaves and flowers directly into you bath water -- don't believe it! You'll emerge from such a bath like the Swamp Dragon of my youth crawling out of Bayou Lafourche -- with bits and pieces of plant debris clinging to every part of your body.

Instead, consider adding herbs to your bath for the following reasons:

• Cleansing your skin in a pleasurable and therapeutic manner
• As a healing treatment for specific skin conditions
• For the pleasurable and therapeutic aromas
• To invigorate your spirit
• To stimulate circulation
• To relax and soothe sore muscles
• To combat insomnia and promote a peaceful night's rest

Additionally, learn to draw your herbal remedy bath in the correct manner. Here are a few beginning tips:

• Keep the water temperature around the temperature of your body
• If your herbal bath water is too hot or your skin will perspire, and not absorb the therapeutic herbal remedy
• Make sure that you give the herbal remedy the best chance for being successful -- meaning staying in the bath for at least fifteen minutes

Here's The Skinny On Herbal Remedy Baths

Purchased herbal bath bags are one of my favorite ways to begin an herbal remedy bath. It is the easiest way of adding herbs to your bath water. However, there are other methods, such as:

1. Simply, hanging three or four herbal tea bags from the tap;
2. Alternatively, placing a small herb filled ordinary tea infuser in the water;
3. Another method is to place a handful of herbs in the center of a piece of cheesecloth (fine gauze will also work). Then, gather up the corners and make a bag like pouch. Securely tie this with enough string to loop the bag over the hot water faucet to allow the water when you fill the tub to run through the bag;
4. If you are crafty or sew -- another method is to make small simple draw bags that are about 4" x 4" using cheesecloth, or gauze cloth sewn together. Fill this with your favorite herbs (either fresh or dried), and suspend from the hot water faucet. Be sure to make the loop long enough to immerse the water in the water.

Other important consideration in herbal remedy bath bags is to decide about using one single herb, mixing two, or even more for your bath.

Some herbal bath bag enthusiasts, also add fine oatmeal to their herb bag, and rub this over their body at the end of the bath. Remember, that you can reuse the bags, but that you must dry them thoroughly after each use. Get rid of them once you can no longer sense the aroma.

Herbal bath infusions are another herbal remedy that is quite popular.

An herbal bath infusion is simply extracting the therapeutic portions of the herb by infusing about ten to twelve ounces of the dried herb in three cups of boiled water.

Alternatively, you can also make an herbal bath infusion by placing a large handful of fresh herbs straight from your garden, also in three cups of boiled water.

With both, wait for at least fifteen minutes. Strain, then pour into your already filled tub.

Milk baths have been popular for generations.  The good news is that today's milk baths do not have to be the one time expensive penchant for the rich that they used to be.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of powdered milk (not skimmed)
• 3 ounces of dried herbs (chamomile, elderflowers, linden blossoms are good choices)*
• 2 cups of cold milk

Instructions:

• Let sit for three hours
• Strain
• Add to bath

Note: *You may substitute 1/2 cup of fresh herbs for dried

Before you turn your nose up at the idea of a vinegar bath, it's important to know that an herbl vinegar bath will soothe itchiness, and is a natural herbal remedy for sore and aching muscles. An added bonus is that it will also soften your skin.

Cider Vinegar Bath

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of cider vinegar
• 1 cup of fresh bath herbs

Instructions:

• Bring ingredients to a slow boil
• Infuse overnight
• Strain
• Bottle
• Use within 7 days

Today, now that essential oils are more widely known and available, the addition of essential oils to your bath lets you escape to a world of fragrance and take in all of their most beneficial powers.

Generally, you use anywhere between five to fifteen drops of essential oils to your bath. However, for the maximum impact be sure to do this after you've allowed the warmer water to settle and have gently mixed it.

Never ever add the oils under hot running water, because you will be sending your hard earned dollars into evaporation.

It is also key to remember that a relaxing bath is one that is just about around your own body's natural heat, maybe even a little cooler. One guideline to keep in mind is a bath temperature that is approximately 85 degrees F.

So, not too hot because the oils will evaporate before they can work their magic -- nor too cold, because then the oils will not evaporate correctly.

Other tips that you might consider:

• For Dry Skin -- add to your personal preferred oils, an extra tablespoon of almond oil
• Combination Oil and Milk Bath -- add oil(s) and a tablespoon of milk
• Bubble Bath -- combine with Baby shampoo

Short of hopping on an airplane and traveling to some exotic isle for an herbal sauna, or being lucky enough to own your own personal sauna -- a lot of us just have to save herbal saunas for visits to local spas and vacation spas.

Essentially, an herbal saunas' herbal remedies are rich in essential oils that are released in the heat of the sauna.  Common tactics are for facilities to release:

• Basil
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Lemon Verbena
• Pine
• Rosemary
• Rose Petals
• Sage
• Thyme