Benefits Of Herbal Baths

� � Posted before Dec-31-2007

Life has become so demanding and hectic in the modern times that almost all people are victims of stress and strain. The overwhelming pressures and anxieties of present day life have virtually left little time for anyone to take time off their busy schedules to unwind themselves. Many people are unable to undertake regular work outs as they require people to take out substantial time from their regular and hectic daily schedules. In such a scenario, taking a hot bath is one of the best ways to usher in some recreation and respite in our daily life. In addition to facilitating relaxation and rest, taking hot baths regularly also help us to prevent many diseases. While soaking oneself in a hot bath is definitely a pleasurable experience and facilitates in alleviating anxiety, when you add herbs to the hot water bath, it greatly augments the curative prospects of the bath. Soaking yourself in a hot bath for a minimum of 20 minutes is considered to be among the simplest methods to chill out following a hectic day. You will find that the warmness of the water will facilitate in alleviating your anxiety and addition of herbs to the bath will offer further advantages. It will help to invigorate the body, calm down the mind and enable you to experience a great feeling. In addition, the healing properties enclosed in the herbs help to ease the skin, loosen up the muscles and joints as well as invigorate the circulation system in the body. If all these are not enough, remember, the herbs also possess a pleasant aroma that will make you feel fresh throughout the day.

While it is always preferable to use fresh herbs from your garden, in case you do not cultivate herbs, you may also obtain whole and fresh herbs from the herbal stores. It is advisable that when you are acquiring dehydrated herbs from the stores, every time possible you should essentially buy the complete dried flowers, leaves, bark and roots. It may be mentioned here that basically there are two procedures by which one may add herbs to the bath. One way of doing this is to prepare an infusion with the herbs by soaking them in the hot water for long enough time. Alternately, one may chose to prepare a decoction by soaking the herbs in boiling water for a substantial period of time. It may be mentioned here that decoctions are usually more potent compared to infusions.

Herbal baths have been popular among the people since the ages and we learn from history that taking herbal baths was quite common among the primeval Romans and Greeks. They took herbal baths not only for the curative properties, but also for their usefulness in enhancing beauty. It may be noted here that apart from boosting the physical aspects of an individual, herbal baths also have a potent influence on the mind. Herbal baths calms down our anxieties and help us to relax. At the same time, taking herbal baths revitalizes our energy and memory. The active elements in the herbs that are added to our bath water are directly soaked by our skin and are then transported to the blood vessels where they have a positive effect on our internal systems.

In order to derive the best results from the herbal baths ensure that the bath water is first heated up to 96�-98�Fahrenheit. Taking a bath with higher temperature water will make you feel drowsy, while water with temperature around 92�Fahrenheit will bring about a soothing and energizing effect. Having a bath with water heated up to a temperature between 70� and 85�Fahrenheit will actually help to rejuvenate the body and mood.

Varieties of herbal baths

Circulation bath: As the name suggests, taking a circulation herbal bath is beneficial for people enduring all types of circulation symptoms and this includes acne too. A circulation bath may be used as a footbath for healing high temperatures, problems of the feet, muscular pain and even rheumatism (any disorder of the back that is distinguished by acute pain).
The different herbs required for a circulation bath comprise two grams of birch leaves, two grams of rosemary and two grams of thyme. Boil these herbs for around 10 to 20 minutes and then filter the liquid or decoction. Next add approximately 70 ml of foam bath emulsifier, 15 drops essential oils extracted from rosemary, 15 drops of Siberian fir and 10 drops of lavender for aroma. Now the bath is ready for use.
Relaxing bath: Taking a relaxing bath helps to alleviate tension and also facilitates sleep.
To prepare the bath, first make an infusion of different herbs such as three grams of chamomile flowers and three grams of lavender flowers. Filter the infusion and mix around 70 ml of it in foam bath emulsifier. Next, add 15 drops of essential oils extracted from Roman chamomile, 15 drops of lavender and 10 drops of sandalwood oil.
Sensitive skin bath: The name of this bath suggests that it is good for people with susceptible skin.
In order to prepare the bath, first make an infusion with three grams of rose petals and three grams of chamomile flowers. Filter the infusion and add around 70 ml of it into the foam bath emulsifier. Next, mix 15 drops of essential oils extracted from mandarin, 10 drops of sandalwood oil and 15 drops of lavender oil.
Vitamin bath: The vitamin bath taken regularly helps to reinforce the essential vitamins in the body.
To prepare the bath mix 25 ml of foam bath emulsifier in 68 ml of steaming water. Add three grams of vitamin E oil, one gram vitamin A oil and one gram vitamin C when the foam bath is below 40�Celsius. You may also add 40-50 drops of essential oils of your personal preference for additional benefits.
Salt bath: A salt bath, especially for the full body, helps to replenish the essential salts in our body. At the same time, a salt bath is also beneficial for the skin as it acts as a cleanser.
For a whole body bath, you require one kg of coarse sea salt, while for a foot or hand bath you need to add 200 ml of the sea salt in three to five liters of water. For effective results, keep yourself into the salty water for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Soda bicarbonate bath: Taking a soda bicarbonate bath is extremely beneficial for people suffering from eczema, gout, rheumatism, pain and psoriasis (an ordinary persistent and inciting skin disease distinguished by flaking patches) as it helps to diminish acidity in our physical system.
If you are taking a soda bicarbonate bath for the first time use 20 gram of bicarbonate of soda and subsequently increase the amount to 100 gram for a full body bath. On the other hand, use just one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda for a foot or hand bath. For best results, keep your body, hand or feet (depending on which bath you are taking) soaked in as hot water as you can endure for approximately five to 15 minutes. If you are taking a foot bath, wear warm woolen socks immediately after the bath and leave it for 30 minutes to one hour.
Tea tree bath: Taking tea tree bath regularly helps to maintain a healthy blood circulation. For best results, it is advisable that you take a tea tree bath on every other night and alternately with a soda bath. Depending on your preference, you may also interchange with a garlic bath.
To prepare a tea tree bath, add five to ten drops of tea tree oil in a small bowl of water and apply it on your body.
Treatment for fever: Consuming flowers of elderberry herb ( in herbal tea form) helps in lowering the body temperature. In addition, you may take foot bath for improving the blood circulation using vital oils and herbs. It may be mentioned here that the foot bath must be quite sizzling and the feet need to be immersed in this hot water for around 10 to 15 minutes. Following the foot bath, wash your feet with cold water and dry them properly. Later, apply balms to keep the feet tender.
Clay bath: Taking clay bath regularly helps to tone the skin as well as the mind.
Take one to two tablespoonfuls of clay blended with 50 ml of apple vinegar and put it in your bath water.
Garlic bath: Prepare a garlic bath by squashing 10 garlic cloves either in Red Turkey oil or any vegetable oil. Store up the substances in a bottle for around three to four days and occasionally (at least twice daily) stir or shake it. Next, filter the substance using a fine cotton cloth to ensure that no solid garlic material is left behind in the oil. It is possible to store the oil for around three to four months and use whenever necessary by adding preservatives to it. However, while preserving it remember to add at least one per cent of vitamin E oil to the substance. For a whole body bath you need two to three tablespoonfuls of the oil, and two to three teaspoonfuls of it is also required for a foot bath.