Herbs and botanicals are great all on their own (and we sell them here) but you can easily combine them with great natural skincare additives, most of which can be found in your kitchen cupboards.
How to prepare a herbal bath
There are three different ways you can prepare a simple herbal bath using Chagrin Valley Bathing Herbs depending on your preferences.
(1) Throw a handful of herbs directly into the hot bathwater.
However, there may be bits of botanicals remaining on your body and in your hair. so it is best to neatly pack the herbs in a muslin bag!
(2) For a stronger herbal bath, brew some herbal tea in a pot, and then add the steeped tea to the bathwater.
Fill a pot with about 2 to 3 quarts of water, heat to almost boiling, and remove from the heat
Put a handful of your herbal mixture (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) into the pot
Keeping the pot covered so the natural essential oils from the herbs don’t evaporate
Allow the herbs to infuse for 20 minutes or longer
Strain the liquid and add directly to your tub
This method works best if you are using herb roots, barks, or other woody parts of a plant.
(3) Make a "tea bag" by filling a cloth, cheesecloth, muslin bag, or even a clean sock or nylon stocking with a small handful (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) of the herbal bath tea.
Every bathtub is different -- Start out with the smaller amount and see how it feels. The idea is NOT to fill up a bag with bathing herbs. A larger bag allows water to flow more freely around the herbs!
It is NOT true that if a small amount works well, then a large amount will work even better!
How to Use the Tea Bag
Tightly close the top and add the herbal tea bag to your tub.
Hang the bag from the faucet and allow warm water (the temperature that is comfortable for you!) to run through the bag while the tub fills. When the tub is full, remove the pouch from the spout and let it float in the tub, continuing to steep in the bathwater.
OR place the bag in the bath under warm running water (the temperature that is comfortable for you!) until the tub fills and then let it float in the tub, continuing to steep in the bathwater.
Squeeze bag to release the botanical essence.
One note: An herbal bath is a time to relax the body not cleanse it -- no soap or bubble bath! If you need to wash take a shower before. To get the full benefit from an herbal soak, simply towel dry when you leave the tub.
Simple Bath Tea Recipes
Use our Chagrin Valley Bathing Herbs or make your own blend. Don't hesitate to mix and match herbs and botanicals to make combinations that you need or want!
Add Salts
Salt baths are known for their health-enriching minerals and therapeutic properties. A salt bath can help improve circulation, soothe irritated skin conditions, ease muscular pain and joint stiffness, ease arthritis, back pain, or muscle cramps.
Add 2 - 8 tablespoons of sea salt, or try one of our organic bath salts, to your herbal bath
Add Milk
Milk contains lactic acid, which is packed with skin softening properties that leave skin feeling smoother. The lactic acid in milk acts similarly to the alpha hydroxyl acids found in expensive skin creams, which dissolve proteins that bind dead skin cells together for gentle exfoliation.
As you soak milk fats and proteins help to hydrate the skin and retain moisture to leave your skin smooth and soft. Milk baths are also great for soothing irritated skin and minor sunburn.
Add 1 - 2 cups of whole milk to your herbal bath
Add Oatmeal
Oatmeal baths are great to soothe sensitive or irritated skin. They are naturally hydrating and release milky emollients that can calm itchy skin conditions.
To avoid turning your bath into a giant bowl of oatmeal, add 1 cup of organic oatmeal or 1/2 cup of organic oat flour to your herbal bag. Or make a separate bag of just oatmeal and add to the tub as it is filling.
Add Honey
Honey has been used topically as a healing agent for centuries! Adding honey to your bath will moisturize, soften, and soothe dry skin.
Honey can help deep clean pores while adding moisture to parched skin. Honey, a natural humectant, moisturizes, and softens skin as you soak. Honey can help soothe irritated skin and also has skin-smoothing benefits thanks to its amino acids and antioxidants.
Dissolve 1/4 to 1 cup of honey in hot water. Add the honey water to your herbal bath as the water is filling.
While for some women prone to yeast infections adding honey to bath water may pose a problem, others have found it helpful. Know your own body!
Add Bath Oil
Herbs and oils have long been combined in a therapeutic bath to relax the mind, soothe sore muscles, and promote soft supple skin. Add extra moisture and softness to your skin by adding oil to your herbal bathwater.
Take 1- 2 tablespoons of your favourite oil, like coconut or olive, or try one of our organic bath oils
Add oil to your herbal bath as the water is filling.
(Be careful--the tub may be slippery)
Add Lemon
Added to the bath, fresh lemons, rich in vitamin C, not only impart a lovely scent but they also help to balance skin oil production, brighten skin, and cleanse and tighten pores.
Lemon baths can help relax sore muscles and the scent can help uplift your spirits.
Fill up your bathtub with warm water. Slice up 3-4 lemons and place the slices in your bathwater. Allow the lemons to soak in the water for about five minutes. Step in, relax, and enjoy!
Add Essential Oil
Adding your favourite essential oil or essential oil blend is a great way to create a very aromatic and therapeutic bath.
Never add essential oils directly to the bathwater!
Essential oils do not dissolve in water. If you simply drop some essential oil in your tub, the drops will just sit on top of the water and will not disperse throughout the bathwater. As you climb into the tub, small drops of concentrated undiluted essential oil can stick to your skin which may cause irritation for some.
To add essential oils mix them in a carrier oil first, like olive or sunflower. Start small--for a single bath, add 3 to 12 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil. For the best aromatic bath, fill the tub, turn off the water, add your carrier oil/essential oil blend, and then stir the water before climbing in to help circulate oils around.
Now that you know how to create your perfect herbal bath, you might want to look at ideas on how to recreate your own personal spa experience.
Things light candles, a warm cup of tea, relaxing music and scent can all contribute to give you a calm and serene experience. For more on this, here's a fantastic blog on How to Create Your Own At Home Spa for the Ultimate Relaxation.
A Few Important Notes:
Despite the many advantages, a warm bath may not be recommended for everyone.
- Do not use very hot water
- Do not soak for more than 15-20 minutes each time
- If you have a heart condition or any medical condition, consult with your doctor before beginning a new bathing routine
- If you are pregnant, please discuss baths with your doctor or midwife
- Keep some cool drinking water nearby
- Even a healthy person may begin to feel dizzy, or not well when taking a bath. If this happens, slowly get out, rest, and drink some water as you may be dehydrated. If you do not feel better soon, please seek medical advice.
