Aromatic Bath For Stress & Anxiety

The therapeutic use of water is older than history. It can be found in the myths of the gods of early civilization, as well as the parchments of the Greek philosopher/physician Hippocrates. Hippocrates and other physicians of antiquity taught the use of specific baths of various temperatures, herbs and/or minerals as treatments for many diseases. Today, we are fortunate to have those herbs in the form of their primary active ingredient: essential oils.

Whether elevating the spirits, encouraging relaxation, increasing mental attention, or soothing sore muscles, essential oil-based bath products are often formulated in accordance with tenets of homeopathy and/or various other herbal medicine traditions. But you needn't purchase a packaged product, if you enjoy the exercise of making your own. You can even use "straight" essential oils to great affect.

There are, at least, four ways to use essential oils in the bath:

1. Add undiluted essential oils to bath water. This gives the bath a wonderful aroma and you the therapeutic values of whichever oils you have chosen.
2. Combine essential oils with homemade bath crystals, bath oils, and bubble baths. (Read the December edition of our e-Newsletter for specific directions and great recipes.)
3. Pre-bath body oils. These are applied to the body before to getting in the bath. Pre-bath body oils have a enormously pleasing effect as the body is enveloped in an oil that is heated by water and absorbed into the body by osmosis.
4. Use non-dispersible oils as the base for the essential oils you add to the bath, so that they float on the water and cling to your body when you get out.

When using undiluted essential oils in the bath:
Start by running a very warm bath and when the tub is 2/3's full add a maximum of 24 drops to the water, close the door so the vapors don't escape, and finish filling the tub.

For calming down after a long day, we recommend 6 drops Lavender, 5 drops Petitgrain, 5 drops Clary Sage, and 4 drops Pine.

For a good night's sleep, we recommend 8 drops Coriander, 6 drops Lavender, 4 drops Marjoram, and 4 drops Chamomile. This bath should take place as close to bed time as possible, as it is VERY relaxing and effective.

Pre-Bath Body Oils:
This method is particularly useful for the treatment of arthritic and rheumatoid conditions. (We have included that recipe and another for immunity boosting, in the December edition of our e-newsletter.) This recipe should be applied all over your body before stepping into the bath. This method does not have the same effect in a shower.

Pre-Bath Base Oil (Good for oily, normal and dry skin) Grapeseed oil 2Tbs Jojoba 20 drops Evening Primrose oil 10 drops Carrot 5 drops

Stress Release Pre-Bath Oil (Add this combination to the base oil) Petitgrain 15 drops Lavender 10 drops Coriander 8 drops

Non-Dispersible Oils Recipe:

You can use, as base, any oils with the exception of Red Turkey Castor Oil, which completely disperses in water. Just remember, use no more than 15 drops essential oils per tablespoon base oils.

The following bath oil recipe not only releases stress, it improves the look of aging skin, as well.

2 Tbs Apricot Kernel oil
2 tsp Avocado oil
Lavender 10 drops
Marjoram 8 drops
Coriander 8 drops
Orange 6 drops
Mix well before adding to bath water.

Summary:
Hippocrates wrote, "The way to health is to have an aromatic bath or scented massage every day." Modern science has proven the mind and body are inextricably connected. When aural sensations can affect mood, and therefore thought, only a fool would deny the health benefits of an aromatic bath. How often one should engage in this curative indulgence is entirely up to the individual. But as often as possible would seem best for those living high-stress lifestyles. You know who you are.

21ST CENTURY APOTHECARY
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