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Relaxing Baths Recipe
Restorative
Baths
For trouble falling asleep
2 oz. passionflower leaves and flowers
1 oz. valerian root
1 oz. violet blossoms
For peaceful, restful deep sleep
2 oz. hops flowers
1 oz. lavender blossoms
1 oz. Siberian-ginseng root For overworked body
and mind
2 oz. chamomile flowers
1 oz. lemon-balm leaves
1 oz. St. John's wort or catnip leaves
- Place the dried leaves, blossoms and roots into an enamelware
pot. Pour 1 qt. of boiling water over the mixture and simmer,
covered, for about 20 min.
- Start your bath; when the water is ready, pour the herb blend
through a sieve and add the liquid to the bath.
- Squeeze any extra moisture from the reserved herbs and place
them in cotton sachet or a small muslin bag with a draw string.
Tie the bag shut and add to the bathwater. Squeeze the herb sachet
from time to time as you soak.
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Quick Relaxing Bath
Use this relaxing bath recipe only at night, since
the essential oils have a powerful relaxing effect and can induce
sleep.
1 tbsp. sunflower oil
4 drops Peru-balsam essential oil
4 drops valerian essential oil
2 drops basil essential oil
- Mix the sunflower oil and essential oils.
- Add the oil mixture to your bathwater as the tub is filling.
Bathe for 20 min.
Note: Instead of using all sunflower oil, you can try Turkey red
oil (sulfated castor oil), if available; it has been treated with
sulfuric acid, making it more water-soluble. However, it can dry out
your skin, so add 1 tsp. of sunflower oil to counteract the effect.
Bedtime tea
After a relaxing bath, treat yourself to a cup pf
bedtime tea. Place 1 tsp. each of linden blossoms and lemon balm in
1 cup of boiling water, steep for 5 min. and strain. Also, if
weather permits, leave your bedroom window open at night. The fresh
air will help promote sound sleep while stale air and toxins escape
from your window.
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Application:
Wait until the bathtub is full before adding any
herbs, to keep the sedative vapors from escaping too soon. The water
temperature should be about 110ºF, to ensure a gentle effect on your
circulation. Bathe for 20 minutes, and then go to bed, or rest -
covered up to keep warm - for a minimum of 30 minutes. |
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Ingredient
Benefits:
For relieving nervousness: The components in the roots of
valerian, passionflower leaves and flowers and violet blossoms can
calm irritated nerves, encourage peacefulness and strengthen the
nervous system in general.
To help you sleep: The dried blossoms of hops and lavender
have sedative and toning effect on the whole body. They facilitate
falling asleep and aid restful, deep sleep. Chamomile blossoms help
dispel restlessness and gently calm the body and spirit, setting the
stage for peaceful sleep.
For mental and physical stress: When stress levels run high,
delicately scented lemon-balm leaves can help relieve symptoms by
combating muscle and nervous tension. Siberian-ginseng root can be
beneficial in reducing stress levels, but if you are pregnant or
suffer from epilepsy, avoid using them.
To relax: Peru-balsam essential oil, with its earthy and
vanilla-like scent, can have a powerful calming and soothing effect
on the whole body. Spicy basil oil is well suited to regenerating
body and spirit. Caution: Do not use basil essential oil if
you are pregnant or have epilepsy.
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