HERBAL BATHS

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The easiest way to use herbs to benefit our skin and well-being is to add a handful to the bath or sprinkle in a few drops of the herb’s essential oil. Herbs can be chosen for deep cleansing action, to stimulate the circulation, or to relax the boxy for a peaceful night’s sleep. They can be added to improve specific skin conditions, or just for the pleasure of their fragrance. Dismiss the desire to fling the leaves into the water with romantic ideals of Ophelia. They cling to you and clog the drain. Instead put a generous handful of fresh or dried herbs in the center of a handkerchief and tie up the corners to make a bag. Amounts are not critical. Use a single herb or a mixture of those which have the therapeutic properties you prefer. By adding fine ground oatmeal or bran to the bag you can make a body scrub and use it to rub your body near the end of the bathing time. Another quick method is to use three or four tea bags of herbs available as tea bags such as chamomile or peppermint. A little more work will give you greater benefits, however. More therapeutic properties will be extracted from the herbs if they are first boiled in a covered saucepan for 15 minutes and the strained liquid is added to your bath water. This decoction can be stored for up to three days in a refrigerator. Try to keep the bath temperature around body heat because if the bath is too hot the skin will be perspiring and possibly not absorbing the beneficial properties of the herbs, although you will at least be taking them through inhalation. It is known that essential oils (released from the herbs by steam) can pass the skin barrier but there is presently insufficient research to show under what conditions this does or does not happen.