How to Create Relaxing Herbal Baths

By Sherril Steele-Carlin

Herbal baths are one of the best ways I know to soothe the stress of a busy life, to relax, unwind, and spend a few moments just pampering yourself. Just thinking about a hot, steamy bath and a good book can start me relaxing! There always seems to be a new study about stress adding to the probability of heart troubles. That's just another reason to relax for an hour or so in your own private herbal bath. Adding herbs to your bath can turn a relaxing soak into a beauty treatment at the same time, so you save beauty time by taking a soothing herbal bath. See, don't you feel more relaxed already?

How Do I Start?

Adding herbs to your bath water is simple. I use a cheesecloth bag, tightly tied at the top with a thin ribbon. (You can find packages of cheesecloth in most supermarkets.) Make sure you leave enough ribbon to hang the bag from the faucet in your tub. Take two layers of cheesecloth, and cut a large circle. The herbs will go in the center of the circle, and then you'll tie the top very tightly with the ribbon.

If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can also make your own small cloth bag (about 3x3 inches) with a long drawstring at the top. You can fill up the bag with the herbs, and then pull the drawstring tight. Again, make sure you leave enough ribbon or string in the drawstring to tie it around the faucet in your tub. A slightly loosely woven fabric (like cheesecloth) is just right for this project. No matter what you use, you can add herbs to the sack, then hang it from the faucet.

Hanging the bag beneath the faucet helps to move the essential oils in the herbs around in the water, so they infuse well in the hot bath water as it's being drawn. If you live in an area with hard water like I do, you can mix a handful of oatmeal or bran with the herbs in your bag for softer water.

The basic rule of thumb when adding herbs to your bath is to use about 4 1/4 cups of single or mixed herbs to a normal sized bath. I have used much less than that with great results, but I also don't have one of those newer, roomier tubs. If you don't have time to make a bag, try using a few tea bags under the faucet. Spearmint or peppermint tea bags make a wonderful bath; just suspend 2 or 3 bags beneath the faucet. A tea ball with a long string will also work very well, for smaller amounts of herbs.

You can leave the bag in the tub the entire time you're enjoying your bath, or you can take the bag out after a few minutes of it steeping in the tub, just like a tea bag. It's not a good idea to try these herbal baths in your hot tub. The oils and small particles of herbs that might escape can play havoc with your filters and the finish on the tub. It's a good idea to stick to bathtubs with these herbal baths.

How Hot is too Hot?

Warm water naturally relaxes muscles and our bodies in general. Cooler water will stimulate us; wake us up for a new day. The perfect relaxing bath is about 96 to 98 degrees F. Hotter will make you sleepy, (which, when you think about it, may not be a bad thing!). An extremely hot bath of 104 degrees or more can actually be dangerous. It can dehydrate you, dry your skin, and exhaust you. It can also lower your blood pressure, and can even make you faint. So, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or you're pregnant, make sure you keep the temperature lower, and be safe. Watch out for wine with a hot bath, too. If a hot bath can make you sleepy, and you're drinking a glass of wine, you could actually fall asleep or faint in the tub. Don't take the chance.... keep the temperature low, and/or drink sparkling water.

Herbs to Help Relax and Soothe You

To help you relax, try aloe vera, calendula, catnip, chamomile, comfrey, hops, jasmine, lemon verbena, linden flowers, meadowsweet, rose petals, sassafras, sweet flag*, tansy, valerian* vanilla, and violet. You can use only one of these herbs, or try mixing and matching them, according to their scent, and your mood. *(Herbs particularly good for relaxation.)