When everything seems just a bit too overwhelming, a bath can be extremely good medicine. This season, you might appreciate herbal remedies for feelings like nervousness, tension, anxiety or emotional fatigue. Try whole herbs like chamomile, jasmine, juniper, lavender, orange, rose, rosemary or sandalwood.
For a bath that'll restore your sense of balance, make an infusion of the listed herbs; sit back and enjoy.
A Bath To Help Varicose Veins
2 tb Dried ginger powder *OR* 4 tb Fresh gingerroot; chopped
4 tb Dried juniper
2 tb Dried rosemary
4 tb Dried lemon peel *OR* 1 Whole lemon; quartered
Although most often associated with women, bulging, enlarged veins can be a problem for both sexes.
The condition is largely hereditary, but a case of varicose veins can be made worse by had habits; standing for long periods of time, wearing tight clothing, and sitting with the legs crossed.
Hormonal fluctuations also can contribute to varicosity.
Herbal baths can help, although you should be careful not to take baths that are too hot
(extreme temperatures can exacerbate the problem).
Whole herbs that you can use in a bath to help boost circulation in the legs include geranium, ginger, juniper, lemon, peppermint and rosemary.
A Sleep Inducing Bath
4 tb Dried chamomile
3 tb Dried lemon balm
2 tb Dried passionflower
1 tb Dried valerian
If you're feeling agitated at bedtime, the right herbal combination can help you drift right off into the REM stage.
Herbs that you might use in a bedtime bath include chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram,
passionflower, sandalwood and Valerian.
Cut-off Flower Water
7 dl Water
1 ts Vinegar
1 ea Aspirin or equivalent
(containing acetylsalicylic acid)
1 ts Sugar
Crush the aspirin and blend everything together and use.
The sugar is nurishment for the flowers,
while the acid kills the micro organisms that blok the stems from sucking up water.
For roses you can also use a lemon soft drink
(For example:Schweppes).
Makes the bouquets last longer.
Herb Bath Bags
Cheesecloth or muslin
Needle or sewing machine
Thread
1 Ribbons, lace -- trim etc
Make bags out of muslin or cheesecloth.
Decorate with trims and notions.
Add ribbons so that the bags can hang
from the faucet into the bath water.
Fill bags with herbal bath mixtures.
If you are really handy with machine or needle, bags can be made into shapes.
Scented Bath Bombs
Preparation Time : 0:20
1 1/2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
8 drops essential oil -- your choice of scent
1/2 teaspoon sweet almond oil
2 drops food coloring -- your choice of color
-Combine all ingredients.
-Press into muffin tin or mold of your choice.
-Release from mold.
-Wrap in colored plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon.
NOTES : Fizzes when dropped in water.
When selecting an oil for scent, read warnings about use. Some oils are not intended to have direct contact with skin.
Basic Bubble Bath Recipe
Use only 100% pure soap flakes.
Almond Oil--2 cups
Distilled Water--2 cups
Soap Flakes (or grated soap)--1 cup
Witch Hazel--2 Tbsp
Boil the spring water and melt the soap in it.
In another container, mix the witch hazel and almond oil together and shake well.
(If possible do this in a blender.)
Then slowly add the soap mixture to the witch hazel and oil blend and again, shake or blend well.
These amounts will make a large quantity of basic bubble bath mixture to which you can add the essential oils of your choice as and when required.
For each 2 tablespoons of base bubble bath, use 15 drops of essential oil and mix well.
Easy Bubble Bath
Soap Flakes or Grated Soap--2 cups
Water--1 gallon
Glycerin--1/4 to 1/2 cup
Shampoo or Liquid Dish Soap--2 cups
Essential Oil of Choice
Mix the soap flakes, water and 2 tbsp glycerin in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally until the soap has
dissolved.
(Store this liquid soap in a covered container, used as an all-purpose soap or hand soap.)
In a bowl,
add 2 cups of this mixture to the rest of the glycerin, shampoo and essential oil. Pour into a one quart container.
Store covered at room temperature. When you're ready to bathe, add about one cup to your tub as it's filling.
Remember! Use no more than 30 drops of essential oils to 1 oz of carrier (bubble bath)!
(15 drops being very safe.)
Meadow Milk Bath
Powdered Milk, finely sifted--4 oz
Citric Acid--2 oz
Corn starch--2 oz
Vitamin E Oil--One 400 IU Capsule
(or Grapefruit Seed Oil--30 drops)
Jasmine--60 drops
Blend the powdered milk and corn starch, then sift.
Mix vitamin E (or grapefruit seed oil) and Jasmine in Citric Acid.
Make sure oils are thoroughly blended in the Citric Acid.
Combine the Citric Acid blend with milk/corn starch blend.
Use 3 tablespoons per bath.
Tangerine Body Wash
Coriander--7 drops
Grapefruit--10 drops
Lavender--7 drops
Tangerine--40 drops
Unscented Shower Gel--4 oz
(aloe gel or mild liquid soap may be substituted,
with varying results.)
Balancing Bath Salts
Sea Salt--3 tbsp
Baking Soda--3 tbsp
Essential Oils--16 drops
Jar--4 oz
Choose 3 or 4 oils from these essential oils: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose,
and Rosewood.
Gently shake to mix, mix well. Add to tub of running water.
Powdered Milk, finely sifted--4 oz
Citric Acid--2 oz
Corn starch--2 oz
Vitamin E Oil--One 400 IU Capsule
(or Grapefruit Seed Oil--30 drops)
Jasmine--60 drops
Blend the powdered milk and corn starch, then sift. Mix vitamin E (or grapefruit seed oil) and Jasmine in Citric Acid.
Make sure oils are thoroughly blended in the Citric Acid. Combine the Citric Acid blend with milk/corn starch blend.
Use 3 tablespoons per bath.
Tangerine Body Wash
Coriander--7 drops
Grapefruit--10 drops
Lavender--7 drops
Tangerine--40 drops
Unscented Shower Gel--4 oz
(aloe gel or mild liquid soap may be substituted,
with varying results.)
Balancing Bath Salts
Sea Salt--3 tbsp
Baking Soda--3 tbsp
Essential Oils--16 drops
Jar--4 oz
Choose 3 or 4 oils from these essential oils: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose, and Rosewood.
Add sea salt, baking soda and oils to jar.
Gently shake to mix, mix well. Add to tub of running water.
Jasmine--60 drops
Blend the powdered milk and corn starch, then sift.
Mix vitamin E (or grapefruit seed oil) and Jasmine in Citric Acid.
Make sure oils are thoroughly blended in the Citric Acid.
Combine the Citric Acid blend with milk/corn starch blend.
Use 3 tablespoons per bath.
Tangerine Body Wash
Coriander--7 drops
Grapefruit--10 drops
Lavender--7 drops
Tangerine--40 drops
Unscented Shower Gel--4 oz
(aloe gel or mild liquid soap may be substituted,
with varying results.)
Balancing Bath Salts
Sea Salt--3 tbsp
Baking Soda--3 tbsp
Essential Oils--16 drops
Jar--4 oz
Choose 3 or 4 oils from these essential oils: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose,
and Rosewood.
Meadow Milk Bath
Add sea salt, baking soda and oils to jar. Gently shake to mix, mix well. Add to tub of running water.
Powdered Milk, finely sifted--4 oz
Citric Acid--2 oz
Corn starch--2 oz
Vitamin E Oil--One 400 IU Capsule
(or Grapefruit Seed Oil--30 drops)
Jasmine--60 drops
Blend the powdered milk and corn starch, then sift. Mix vitamin E (or grapefruit seed oil) and Jasmine in Citric Acid.
Make sure oils are thoroughly blended in the Citric Acid. Combine the Citric Acid blend with milk/corn starch blend.
Use 3 tablespoons per bath.
Tangerine Body Wash
Coriander--7 drops
Grapefruit--10 drops
Lavender--7 drops
Tangerine--40 drops
Unscented Shower Gel--4 oz
(aloe gel or mild liquid soap may be substituted,
with varying results.)
Balancing Bath Salts
Sea Salt--3 tbsp
Baking Soda--3 tbsp
Essential Oils--16 drops
Jar--4 oz
Choose 3 or 4 oils from these essential oils: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose, and Rosewood.
Add sea salt, baking soda and oils to jar.
Gently shake to mix, mix well. Add to tub of running water.
