Another relaxing way to enjoy the products of your herb garden is an herbal bath. Herbal baths can help soothe sore muscles, ease anxiety, and keep your skin healthy. The different herbs and ingredients added to the bath determine its effects. For example, chamomile helps soothe skin irritations and calm emotions while lavender blossoms are great for cleansing the skin, soothing sore muscles and relaxing emotionally. As a rule of thumb you want to have a combined amount of 1-2 cups worth of ingredients. Herbs, salts, powdered milk and oatmeal are all great choices for bath additives. These ingredients can either be added directly to very hot bath water or contained within a sachet of cheesecloth or even a clean sock tied at the end to make clean up easier.
A couple of example bath combinations to try are:
- lavender and rose is a great relaxing combination that helps reduce stress
- Peppermint and eucalyptus is a combination that helps relieve respiratory issues and opens up your sinuses.
- Any combination of peppermint, spearmint, lavender, thyme rosemary catnip and lemon balm makes a wonderfully refreshing minty bath
Example herbal bath recipes:
Mint bath: Any combo of peppermint, spearmint, lavender, thyme, rosemary, catnip, hyssop, lemon balm
Milk bath: Oatmeal, powdered milk, chamomile
Oatmeal cookie bath: Oatmeal, salt, cinnamon, ginger (a pinch)
Bedtime blend: Linden, catnip, chamomile, epsom salts
Flower bath: Roses, chamomile, lavender, salt
Bath remedies for everyday ailments:
Detox – ginger and baking soda
Insomnia – chamomile and lavender
Muscle aches – epsom salts and hot water
Headaches and lightening mood – lavender
Respiratory problems – peppermint and eucalyptus
Sunburn – cucumber and oatmeal
Stress and anxiety – lavender and rose
References:
https://helloglow.co/best-bath-remedies/
https://theherbalacademy.com/how-to-make-a-childs-herbal-sock-bath/.
Other herbal bath recipes can be found at both of these informative websites. The herbal academy also has a great guide for creating your own bath combinations and the benefits of each bath ingredient.