Using Essential Oils In Aromatic Baths

Essences can be added to the bath simply for pleasure, to aid restful sleep, to help skin problems, relieve muscular and other pains, or to subtly influence mood. If you are fortunate enough to live in a house where the water comes directly from an underground spring (as is the case in certain rural areas) the water itself will be health giving. While it may lack the miraculous powers attributed to the healing waters of Lourdes, certainly it will be much kinder to the skin than chlorinated tap water. Nevertheless, city water can be made more vibrant with the addition of essential oils.

 

Sprinkle four to eight drops of essential oil on to the water's surface after the bath has been drawn. Agitate the water to disperse the oil. If you add the essences whilst the water is running, much of the aromatic vapour will have evaporated before you get into the bath. If you have dry skin, you may wish to mix the essences with a few teaspoonfuls of a vegetable base oil, such as sweet almond, but only if you don't mind cleaning an oily bath afterwards. Neat essences never leave a greasy tide mark due to their tiny molecular structure.

 

 

 

Very hot baths (100°F or 38°C) increase the efficiency of the sweat glands, which is beneficial when you are suffering from a cold or flu and can go straight to bed afterwards to 'sweat it out'. However, hot baths can be draining, and if taken frequently have a loosening effect on the skin causing it to age rapidly.

 

The ideal temperature for the 'neutral' bath is around 85-94°F (29-34°C). The effect of such baths is to reduce tension in body and mind. Adding relaxing essences such as chamomile and lavender to the bath enhances the effect, making this an ideal treatment for insomnia, anxiety, nervous tension and other stress-related problems.

 

For a bracing bath, the water should be cooler (65-70°F or 18-21°C). Adding stimulating essences such as pine, rosemary and eucalyptus will enhance the effect. However, if these essences are added to a much warmer bath, their bracing properties will be reduced by the tranquillising effect of the warm water. Similarly, relaxing essences are made more stimulating by the enlivening effect of fast-moving water - as in the shower. So, if you need to be energised but dislike the idea of a cool bath, try using stimulating essences in a warm shower instead (see page 30). Thermometers suitable for testing bath water are available from good chemists; otherwise use your own judgement.