The Art Of Bathing

Since the beginning of time, the art of bathing in water has been essential to one's good health and peace of mind. As early as the third century, bathing emporiums quickly became the fashion. The Greeks and Romans were the leaders in erecting many elaborate, expensive bathhouses in which they could conduct business, gossip with friends, eat, drink, or arrange social contacts.

Although both the Greeks and Romans began to enjoy bathing at around the same time, they did practice it in different ways. The Romans bathed to keep themselves healthy while the Greeks believed only women should immerse their whole body in water. The Greeks viewed bathing as something one simply did to cleanse one's self.

Not only Europeans, but also many other cultures had a passion for the many pleasures bathhouses offered them. The Turks developed very hot baths, which to this day are still known as Turkish Baths, or steam baths.

Bathhouses became so popular in Rome that not long after the third century the government learned to transport water by means of aqueducts. The initial reward was all of Rome was supplied with abundant water for their needs. We truly owe our modern sanitation to the Romans and their passion for bathing!

Once people learned that the large public baths encouraged the spread of major epidemics, they fell out of fashion.

The Roman Baths in the appropriately named town of Bath, England

Bath "bombs" - also called fizzes, are made from a combination of citric acid and baking soda. When these 2 substances are immersed, they dissolve and release hydrogen dioxide into the water, which bubbles up to the surface. Bombs are usually enhanced with fragrance, oils or butters, salts, herbs, or decorative elements and surprises. Children especially are delighted by the bubbling orbs, especially if there is a surprise waiting to be discovered inside!

Different bombs serve different purposes, although generally just used to condition and scent the water, other ingredients can provide additional properties for the skin and body.

Dr. Edward Bach was one of the first modern physicians to recognize the intimate relationship between physical health and emotional health. A good soak in a warm bath has proven benefits of lifting the spirits, reducing mental stress, and easing physical pain.

The beneficial effects of the simple act of submersing in water to cleanse the body can be enhanced by the addition of water additives (oils, soaps, salts), music or lighting. A bath can be personalized to cater to the bather's preferences, whims, and desires.

Salt, when added to bathwater, soothes and detoxifies the skin. Salts are available in every scent imaginable, from inexpensively fragranced sea salt, to exotic, organic blends of beneficial herbs and different types of salts. The benefits of salts are enhanced by trace minerals present. These minerals vary according to the source of the salt.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bathing in natural pools rich in minerals and sulphur became a popular 'cure' for just about every ailment imaginable. These eventually led to our concept of "spas" today. Health spas were especially important to Tuberculosis patients and later during the last Polio outbreak in the United States when bathing in warm water was recognized for its muscle soothing abilities.

Japan is another culture known for its bathing customs and obsession about cleanliness. Spiritual pursuits of purity, hygiene and ritual purification were an important part of their culture since the dawn of recorded history.

The Muslims also erected bathhouses where one could meditate, pray to the Creator, or think. It was the custom to cleanse at a public bath before going to the mosque to worship and many mosques were therefore conveniently built on the same streets as the bathhouses.

Around this period of time, the Christians started to embrace their dirt because cleanliness was considered to be too sensuous and sexual. Dirt became a symbol of spiritual purity and indicated that the focus was outside one's self, rather than on personal hygiene.

It was also believed that dirt was a protection from germs due to the numerous plagues that had previously killed a large population of England and Europe. Powders, perfumes, wigs, cosmetics, and layers of clothes hid the grime and body scent. If overwhelmed by a particularly potent smell, a bit of snuff to clear one's nostrils was all that was needed.

Today, most societies have adopted the same general attitudes towards bathing, using it to clean, to socialize, and to heal. Spas, saunas, Jacuzzis, birthing pools, hot springs baths, are enjoyed around the world.

Toss the Ivory or Dial and buy yourself some high quality soap. Handmade or premium soaps are worth every dime. They're gentler on your skin, better for the environment, and are just lovely.

Oils have the longest recorded use of any bath additive. They soften and scent the skin and were once held to have healing and religious significance. BE CAREFUL using any oils (or product containing oils) in your tub. They can make the bath slippery!