Herbal
beauty baths have been used for ages to pamper, treat, and
beautify. Chinese medicine has employed herbal baths as
far back as the Shang Dynasty (1700 to 1027 BC). The main
usage was to relieve stress and slow the aging process. Simply
adding herbs to your bath water can help treat just about
any beauty problem, and can be very helpful in resting and
relaxing the body and skin.
Preparation
An easy way to introduce herbs into your bath is to put ½
cup or more of the herb (or a combination of herbs) into a
muslin bag, or a bag you make out of a washcloth or any
porous cloth or loose weave fabric. Attach the bag to the
faucet before you draw the water, letting the hot water
run directly though the herbs as the tub fills up. When
you are done running water, put the bag into the water for
the remainder of your soak. For a more potent bath
treatment, simmer the herbs before hand in 2-4 cups of
boiling water, and pour the infusion into your bath water.
Toss the herbs, or let them float for an old fashioned
beauty bath. Always buy the freshest herbs possible, and
consider growing them yourself when you can.
Cleansing
Bath
Any of these herbs or a combination of them is a great
treatment to cleanse and purify oily skin:
lovage, lemongrass, geranium leaves, milfoil (also known
for healing, astringent, and toning properties)
Wrinkle Remover
Bath
These herbs soften the skin, and are a useful and relaxing
wrinkle treatment:
fennel, rose petals (also a moisturizer), elder flowers,
linden flowers
Calming
Bath
If you just need to relax and unwind to help treat some of
the stress from the daily wear on your body, consider
these herbal soothers:
valerian, hops, passion flower, marjoram
Moisturizing
Bath
To add moisture to your life, try soaking in some of these
fragrant natural hydrators:
orange blossoms, chamomile flowers (also known for their
healing properties), rose leaves, rose petals, rose hips,
white willow bark
Skin Toning
Bath
Use one or more of these herbs to tighten and tone the
skin. Perfect for new mothers trying to tone after
pregnancy skin:
thyme, lavender (also an antiseptic and stimulates
circulation), milfoil, peppermint (also an antiseptic),
nettle
Baby
Bath
Baby care can start with fresh herbs. These herbs are mild,
and should help relax and sooth a baby before bed:
chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, spearmint
