Bathing For Health

Soaking in a bathtub offers a feeling of well being, relieves aching muscles, calms the mind and nourishes the spirit. The Greeks, Romans and Japanese have known this for a thousand plus years.

Studies have shown that bathing therapy is helpful for rehabilitation connected with an accident and other painful ailments. It increases blood circulation and can help strengthen the immune system, give you more energy and improve how you feel.

Stress caused by anxiety or overwork can effect anyone at anytime. Too many days of stress can lead to a state of chronic fatigue. You need to minimize the effects of stress right now while it is beating you down. Stress can weaken the immune system, cause hormonal changes and leave the body open to attack from disease.

Taking a warm bath will help lessen the state of exhaustion and bring restful sleep. Then the body can recharge itself with new energy.

Bath Essence To Reduce Stress

Herbal baths can be very therapeutic. Adding specific herbs to the bath water have long been used to reduce anxiety and stress. This is an age old folk medicine recipe.

2 parts chamomile
2 parts lavender
2 parts roses
1 part comfrey leaf

1. Combine the herbs together.
2. Place the herbal mixture in a small muslin bag.
Or a small square of fabric such as a handkerchief and tie the top.
3. Or fill a tea ball.
4. Hang the herbal mixture on the nozzle of the tub so hot water passes through the bag.
5. Open the bag and empty into the bathwater.

For a stronger mixture you could place the herbs in a pan of water and bring to a boil. Let the mixture sit for awhile - you'll have a nice strong bath blend. I prefer this method, I feel that I'm getting the full benefit of the herbs.

Make enough of either the bags or liquid mixture for later.

Restless sleep or insomnia is experienced by many people. Nothing is usually done about the lack of sleep until it interferes with daily actives. Continued lack of sleep doesn't give the body a chance to restore or replenish itself.

Many health practitioners recommend hot baths as part of the bedtime routine to reduce stress and relax the muscles. Adding sea salt to the bathwater can be very beneficial. Sea salt has the ability to remove toxins from the body and enhance relaxation.

Hippocrates was the first to discover the therapeutic qualities of sea water. Now we know that sea salt aids in the rejuvenation of the cells by increasing circulation and removing toxins.

The Egyptians were the first to paint pictures of themselves in their baths.

The skin on your body needs care and attention just like the skin on your face needs daily care. Taking the time to care for your body not only improves your exterior appearance but prolongs youthful radiance. This will enhance how you feel about yourself, giving you a boost in confidence and a healthy dose of self esteem.

Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, was known for her exquisite beauty and beautiful flawless skin. She kept her skin clean, soft and youthful looking. Cleopatra's secret beauty treatment was bathing in milk and honey.

Lactic acid, one of the main ingredients in milk, contains all eight of the essential amino acids. It helps to exfoliate your skin and cleanse the deepest layers. The late Adelle Davis called it the most perfect protein.

Honey is well known for its many beneficial health properties. It is made up of both minerals and vitamins which nourish and heal the skin. Honey contains phytochemicals that kill viruses, bacteria and fungus making it a natural anti inflammatory.

Today we can still benefit from Cleopatra's beauty treatment.

Cleopatra's Secret Beauty Treatment

1/2-1 Cup Powdered Milk
1/2 Cup Raw Honey

Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into warm bath water.

It is unfortunate that many of us have replaced bathing with the shower. A shower certainly is quick and easy but it can't replace a luxurious soak in the bathtub. We have all seen pictures of women luxuriating in a bathtub filled to the top and candles surrounding them. A very inviting scene but one that many of us don't do very often.

However, maybe you could set aside just 15 minutes once in a while for a relaxing bath. A good soak will rest and sooth your nerves while softening your skin. Set aside this short amount of time for yourself and this special activity. You'll be glad you did.

Pampering Is Not A Dirty Word.

A bath is a wonderful way to rejuvenate and refresh yourself. Taking a relaxing bath can also create some much needed private time. With more and more obligations it is increasingly more difficult to find time for oneself. Soaking in a bathtub is a form of taking time for yourself and pampering your body. Bathing can heal the mind, body and soul. Water is a natural healer, bringing calm to the stressed.

Unplug the phone, put on your favorite music and fill the bathroom with soft candlelight. Add to your water a bath blend that will moisturize your skin.

The following recipe is the ultimate pampering and hydrating bath blend created for moisturizing the skin.

Pampering Bath Blend

1 Cup Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Raw Honey
2 Teaspoons Jojoba Oil (added optional ingredient)

Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into warm bath water. Submerge yourself completely and relax.

Jojoba oil has been used for years by Mexican and American Indians for their hair and skin. It protects against UV rays. Jojoba oil doesn't need refrigeration and is very similar to human sebum.

Recommended for all skin types, especially dry and sunburned skin.

"Blonds should bath in white wine".
"Brunettes should bath in claret".
Sarah Bernhardt, 1899

As with any recipe you can substitute ingredients and amounts. Experiment with several different complementary oils and combine them with other bath additives. Oils can be added to salts, oatmeal, honey, milk, fresh or dried herbs and flower petals. Create a formula that is suited for your needs and taste.

Make sure you understand the characteristic of each ingredient so that you know which one has similar properties. Otherwise your results may not be what you were looking for. There is always room for creativity.

Lavender Bath Salts

2 Cups Borax
1/8 Cup Sea Salt
1/8 Cup White Clay or less
Lavender Essential Oil or Oil of your choice

Combine the Borax, Sea Salt and White Clay in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together with a wire whisk until they combine with each other. Add 20-30 drops of Essential Oil - use your judgment for the amount. The mixture will absorb a lot of oil. Continue mixing with the whisk - blending everything together.

Add 3-6 tablespoons to the bathwater.

Borax (sodium borate): A natural mineral. Prevents soap particles from sticking to the skin and clogging the pores.

Chamomile: Fruity scented flowers or made into an essential oil. Soothing and toning qualities.

Comfrey Leaves: Relieve pain from injuries and promotes healing of sprains and bruises.

Dried Herbs: Many dried herbs possess the same scent and healing properties as an essential oil.

Essential Oil: Highly concentrated plant extracts. Only a small amount is needed. Never apply directly to the skin.

Jojoba Oil: A medium textured base oil pressed from the plant's seeds. An all purpose skin lubricant. It doesn't turn rancid and doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Lavender: Flower buds or made into an essential oil. One of the most gentle and all around useful oils. A mild, floral and herbal scent. Known for having a calming effect on the central nervous system.

Sea Salt: Ability to remove toxins from the body, stimulate circulation and enhance relaxation.

White Clay: The most versatile of all the clays and the one used most often in cosmetics. White clay is milder and less drying than the other clays.

Bubble Bath Petals & Leaves, Lavender Vanilla



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Scented Rose Petals



Comfrey Leaf, Cut & Sifted, Organic - 1 Lb. - Bulk



Lavender 100% Pure Essential Oil


Jojoba Oil


Clay, French White Powder, 1 lb. - Bulk


504 Relaxing Bath And Beauty Recipes

This product is wonderful for soaking in a warm bath to relieve stress and tension. Village Naturals Therapy formula is enriched with vitamins, skin softening ingredients and aromatherapy vapors to help you feel better.

This foaming bath oil contains orange to renew and rejuvenate, juniper to balance and restore, menthol for comfort and relaxation.

This product has never been tested on animals and does not contain any animal derived ingredients. All ingredients have been extracted from natural sources and 95.33% naturally derived. 16 fluid ounces $6.95

Click here for Village Naturals Therapy Stress & Tension Foaming Bath Oil 16 fl oz

This muscle relief lotion has a deep penetrating therapeutic formula that is enriched with vitamins and skin softening ingredients. It helps improve skin circulation and appearance.

While you massage away muscle aches and pains there are aroma therapy vapors to help you feel better. Muscle Relief Natural Lotion contains juniper to calm and restore, sage to soothe and comfort, wintergreen to relax and invigorate.

This product has never been tested on animals and does not contain any animal derived ingredients. All ingredients have been extracted from natural sources and 95.33% naturally derived. 16 fluid ounces $7.95

Click here for Village Naturals Therapy Muscle Relief Natural Lotion 16 fl oz

Lay back in a nice warm bath and renew your body and your mind. English Lavender Milk Bath will help to minimize headaches, relieve sleeplessness and promote harmony.

This formula uses the therapeutic aroma of Lavender and Chamomile to encourage relaxation and to calm your spirit.

This product has never been tested on animals and does not contain any animal derived ingredients. All ingredients have been extracted from natural sources and 95.33% naturally derived. 28 fluid ounces $5.95

Click here for Village Naturals English Lavender Milk Bath 28 fl oz.